The Latest Cristaldi Scores
Vintage
Wine
Color
Rating
Vintage
Wine
Color
Rating
Primarily sourced from the Chalk Hill Estate, this wine is made at the estate winery, fermented in stainless steel, and aged 24 months in 67% new French oak and 10% American oak. It’s plump and juicy, packed with blackberry and black-raspberry fruit, spiced plums, violets, and rose-petal nuances. Sweet spices frame the palate, supported by rich, velvety tannins that resolve with a cocoa-powder character.
Roth’s winemaker is Henry de Lambert. The grapes are fermented in stainless steel and aged for 14 months in a mix of 50% French and 50% American oak, with 10% new. As a result, there’s a noticeable dose of barrel tannin that brings grip to the palate, along with tobacco and cedarwood notes. Cherry and plum fruit follow, joined by leather spice, cassis, and a touch of cocoa powder on the finish. This wine needs some time in bottle for the tannins to integrate more fully; once they do, the fruit should shine through more clearly.
This wine stands out for its elegance and plush texture—one of the softer, more inviting offerings among the four Ridge wines I tasted on a cool Sonoma day in October 2025. Aromatically fine-tuned to red berry fruit and delicate cedarwood spice, it reveals subtle undercurrents of vanilla and shaved coconut. The palate is supple and blue-fruited, juicy and irresistible, with nuances of citrusy acidity, orange peel, and crushed cacao nib intensity carrying through the full-bodied finish. Sourced from a 19th-century Zinfandel vineyard planted in alluvial loam and clay soils at 500 feet of elevation, the centerpiece of the St. Peter’s Church Vineyard still holds original Zinfandel vines planted in the 1880s—believed to be the oldest Zinfandel vines associated with a church in the United States. Fruit from this vineyard was once used by Kent Rosenblum—founder of Rosenblum Cellars and father of current Ridge winemaker Shauna Rosenblum. The vineyard’s namesake clone of Zinfandel later became the foundational planting for nearly all vines in the mountainous 160-acre Rockpile AVA. Ridge has been a Sonoma institution since 1962, known for its single-vineyard winemaking. COO & Head Winemaker John Olney is accompanied in the cellar by Shauna Rosenblum (formerly of Rock Wall Wine Company), focusing on Lytton Springs.
Ridge’s Pagani Ranch Zinfandel was aged in air-dried American oak barrels, mostly used. The grapes were destemmed and crushed, with natural primary and malolactic fermentations, and pumped over a floating cap. The result is a savory, aromatic red offering mixed berry fruit, cedarwood, and sagebrush notes. On the palate, crunchy red fruit and apple-skin tannins mingle with underbrush and zesty blood orange acidity that’s lively, even slightly prickly, leading to a finish marked by building tannins and red-toned fruit nuanced by crushed cocoa nibs. Since 1991, Ridge has produced Zinfandel from the historic Pagani Vineyard on the western side of Sonoma Valley, where the majority of vines are between 90 and 120 years old, with some blocks replanted between 2013 and 2018. Ridge has been a Sonoma institution since 1962, known for its single-vineyard winemaking. COO & Head Winemaker John Olney is accompanied in the cellar by Shauna Rosenblum (formerly of Rock Wall Wine Company and daughter of iconic winemaker Kent Rosenblum), focusing on Lytton Springs.
Polished, seamless, endlessly delicious—you’ll find yourself wondering, Why haven’t I been drinking this my entire life? And you’d be right to ask. This blend of 70% Zinfandel, 18% Carignane, 9% Petite Sirah, and 3% Alicante Bouschet brings together grapes you may not know—or be able to pronounce—but together they create a harmonious red bursting with blue and black fruit, wrapped in a warm blanket of brown-spiced oak. Full-bodied, juicy, and sumptuous, it’s packed with flavor in the most irresistible way. Crafted entirely in air-dried American oak barrels (15% new, 10% one-year-old, 10% two-year-old, 30% three-year-old, and 35% four-year-old), this wine has been produced continuously since 1966, making it Ridge’s longest-running Zinfandel. The grapes are grown in three adjoining vineyards on a single soil type—an ancient Russian River washout layered with river stone and gravel. Ridge has been a Sonoma institution since 1962, known for its single-vineyard winemaking. COO & Head Winemaker John Olney is accompanied in the cellar by Shauna Rosenblum (formerly of Rock Wall Wine Company and daughter of iconic winemaker Kent Rosenblum), focusing on Lytton Springs.
This 100% Chardonnay was aged for 10 months in 17% new Burgundian French oak barrels. A timeless, reliable classic—not just in reputation but in quality—this wine perfectly captures the balance of California richness and coastal brightness. It’s lemony and plush, with buttered brioche notes and a creamy, mouth-filling mid-palate that’s hard to resist, finishing with warm brown spices and lingering lemon oil accents. James Hall of Patz & Hall has over 35 years of experience working with some of California’s most acclaimed grape growers, focusing on Chardonnay and Pinot Noir.
A beautifully crafted and refined Pinot Noir from this iconic producer, the Sonoma Coast Pinot Noir was aged in 100% Burgundian French oak barrels (28% new, 72% used). It’s pure California Pinot at its best, showcasing perfectly ripe cherry and raspberry fruit accented by smoky cherrywood and clove. The tannins are soft, round, and supple, balanced by tangy blood orange acidity, and the finish lingers gracefully with notes of dusty rose and warm brown spice that’s utterly enticing. James Hall of Patz & Hall has over 35 years of experience working with some of California’s most acclaimed grape growers, focusing on Chardonnay and Pinot Noir.
A mix of Hyde-Wente, Robert Young, and Rued clones, this 100% Chardonnay was aged for 17 months on primary lees in Burgundian French oak barrels, 22% of which were new. It’s a beautifully rich, finely balanced Chardonnay with a silky, satiny texture and deeply layered flavors of lemon, brown butter, and lemon pastry. Elegant oak notes are seamlessly integrated, creating a harmonious and boldly expressive wine that’s an absolute joy to drink. James Hall of Patz & Hall has over 35 years of experience working with some of California’s most acclaimed grape growers, focusing on Chardonnay and Pinot Noir.
You could almost guess Gap’s Crown just by looking at it—the deep ruby hue with regal crimson tones gives it away. Wines from this site tend to show that noble color, and this medium- to full-bodied Pinot Noir follows suit with deeply concentrated mulberry and cherry fruit, creamy soft texture, and bold aromatics of Asian spice. Subtle notes of dried fig and elegant cedarwood frame the finish. Aged in 46% new French oak with the remainder in neutral barrels, it’s a powerful yet supple Pinot Noir—richly flavored, beautifully balanced, and one 2022 Gap’s Crown bottling you’ll definitely want to stockpile. James Hall of Patz & Hall has over 35 years of experience working with some of California’s most acclaimed grape growers, focusing on Chardonnay and Pinot Noir.
From the Leras Family Vineyard, where vines have been rooted since the 1980s, this Pinot Noir is a blend of Pommard, Beringer Heritage, 115, 667, and 777 clones, aged for 11 months in 50% new French oak. It’s a ripe, expressive wine, showing cherry compote, espresso, and toffee nuances alongside a touch of bay leaf. Tart acidity and firm tannins frame the palate, with a slightly drying finish that makes it a perfect match for food—spicy braised pork tacos would be ideal. Owned by Renae Perry and Ben and Yolanda Papapietro, and located in Healdsburg, Papapietro Perry Winery specializes in small-lot wines, sourced via long-held relationships with a handful of top local growers.
Papapietro’s Zinfandel is sourced from two well-established vineyards in the heart of Dry Creek Valley—Pauline’s Vineyard and Tiber Crest Farms—and aged for 15 months in two- and three-year-old French oak barrels. It bursts with blue-fruited fireworks, cola notes, and a hint of underbrush and sage, building on the medium-bodied palate with zesty blood orange acidity. The finish is long and lingering, echoing with more cola and spice. Owned by Renae Perry and Ben and Yolanda Papapietro, and located in Healdsburg, Papapietro Perry Winery specializes in small-lot wines, sourced via long-held relationships with a handful of top local growers.
The 2023 Chardonnay comes from Peters Vineyard, located just west of Sebastopol in the Russian River Valley. Barrel-fermented and aged for 11 months in 50% new French oak, it’s a richly expressive yet balanced wine. Bright acidity keeps the richer aromas and flavors—lemon, lemon curd, fennel seed, vanilla, and buttered croissant—lively and fresh. The creamy mid-palate tapers into a bone-dry finish with a lingering toasty oak note that’s undeniably sumptuous. Owned by Renae Perry and Ben and Yolanda Papapietro, and located in Healdsburg, Papapietro Perry Winery specializes in small-lot wines, sourced via long-held relationships with a handful of top local growers.
This single-clone Pinot Noir comes from the Leras, Bucher, and Peters vineyards in the Russian River Valley and was aged for 11 months in 80% new French oak. Light ruby with orange hues in the glass, it offers fragrant aromas of red cherry, Earl Grey tea, and a spicy, woody note that carries through on the medium-bodied palate. Tart cherry fruit, incense, and earth define the finish. It’s a beautifully structured wine that could almost be mistaken for a young Burgundy from Chambertin—*almost*—but its vibrant California character shines through. Owned by Renae Perry and Ben and Yolanda Papapietro, and located in Healdsburg, Papapietro Perry Winery specializes in small-lot wines, sourced via long-held relationships with a handful of top local growers.
The wines from Papapietro are deceptively light in appearance—almost tawny-orange in the glass—yet deeply flavorful and complex. This Pinot Noir is loaded with ripe red cherry fruit layered with notes of black tea, bay laurel, bay leaf, and underbrush, creating sumptuous depth and remarkable complexity for such a young wine. It’s thoroughly enjoyable to drink and begs to be paired with a long, indulgent meal. Sourced from Peters Vineyard west of Sebastopol, it’s made from Pommard, 115, and 777 clones and aged for 11 months in 50% new French oak. Owned by Renae Perry and Ben and Yolanda Papapietro, and located in Healdsburg, Papapietro Perry Winery specializes in small-lot wines, sourced via long-held relationships with a handful of top local growers.
A ripe-fruited Pinot Noir showing bold charred oak notes, hints of underbrush, and high-toned acidity. The palate is supple and juicy, with dark berry fruit and spice on a medium- to full-bodied frame. This 100% Pinot Noir is made from Certified Organic grapes (115 and Calera clones) farmed biodynamically, fermented with natural yeasts, and aged for 17 months in 20% new French oak before being bottled unfiltered. Panther Ridge Vineyard sits on a seven-acre ridge on the western slope of Sonoma Mountain in the Petaluma Gap. Most of their fruit is sold to boutique wineries, with a small quantity of wine made under their own Panther Ridge label in collaboration with winemaker Adrian Manspeaker (of Joseph Jewell Wines).
Panther Ridge’s 100% Pinot Noir is made from Certified Organic grapes (115 and Calera clones) farmed biodynamically, fermented with native yeasts, and aged for 16 months in 50% new French oak before being bottled unfiltered. It’s a highly drinkable yet finely structured Pinot Noir, brimming with cherry fruit, elegant cedarwood, and brown baking spices. Firm tannins have the kind of grip you get after biting into a crunchy red apple, leading to a finish layered with smoky clove and earthy minerality. Promise me that when you pour this wine for friends and family, you’ll quote the movie Anchorman: “It’s made from real bits of panther, so you know it’s good.” Panther Ridge Vineyard sits on a seven-acre ridge on the western slope of Sonoma Mountain in the Petaluma Gap. Most of their fruit is sold to boutique wineries, with a small quantity of wine made under their own Panther Ridge label in collaboration with winemaker Adrian Manspeaker (of Joseph Jewell Wines).
This 100% Pinot Noir is made from Certified Organic grapes (Calera clone) farmed biodynamically, fermented with natural yeasts, and aged for 16 months in 50% new French oak before being bottled unfiltered. In the same pocket as the non-reserve Pinot Noir, this Reserve bottling is bolder, with darker cherry and blackberry fruit and more pronounced, grippy tannins that lend a chewy texture. Smoky clove and zesty mineral notes add nuance, but this is no Pinot for the faint of heart—it’s muscular, brawny, and unapologetically bold. When you pour it for friends and family, be sure to quote the movie Anchorman: “It’s made from real bits of panther, so you know it’s good.” Panther Ridge Vineyard sits on a seven-acre ridge on the western slope of Sonoma Mountain in the Petaluma Gap. Most of their fruit is sold to boutique wineries, with a small quantity of wine made under their own Panther Ridge label in collaboration with winemaker Adrian Manspeaker (of Joseph Jewell Wines).
The was my favorite of the Panther Ridge wines I tasted during a day spent tasting Sonoma wines with the Sonoma County Vintners. It’s a captivating Pinot Noir—and after sampling nearly 200 wines over a few days, it stood out for its bright cherry fruit, seamlessly integrated cherrywood nuances, vanilla-amberwood incense, and soft, supple tannins balanced by graceful, well-woven acidity. Complex yet effortless to drink, it’s both refined and delicious. This 100% Pinot Noir is made from Certified Organic grapes (115 clone) farmed biodynamically, fermented with natural yeasts, and aged for 16 months in neutral French oak before being bottled unfiltered. Panther Ridge Vineyard sits on a seven-acre ridge on the western slope of Sonoma Mountain in the Petaluma Gap. Most of their fruit is sold to boutique wineries, with a small quantity of wine made under their own Panther Ridge label in collaboration with winemaker Adrian Manspeaker (of Joseph Jewell Wines).
From Calesa Vineyard, this fruit is night-picked, whole-cluster pressed, given a two-day settle, then treated with a small sulphur adjustment before native-yeast fermentation. Some lots undergo native malolactic fermentation. Bâtonnage begins with more frequent stirring and tapers as the wine ages for 15 months in roughly 30% new French oak. It is bottled unfiltered and unfined.This is a very special Chardonnay from this site, made by Kirk Venge. It is super fragrant, with gorgeous citrus peel, impressive stony mineral tension, white flowers and beautifully integrated cedar spices, all carried by tremendous verve and tension.
This 100% Chardonnay was made with native yeasts, whole-cluster pressed, and aged for 19 months in 20% new French oak. Sourced from Lorenzo Vineyard—a site planted in 1973 and renowned for its naturally rich fruit, minerality, and vibrant acidity—the wine is generous and toasty, with a creamy, buttery texture. Wet stone minerality provides restraint and lift on the palate before the wine builds again in intensity, finishing long and bold with lingering notes of butterscotch. Founded in 2021, Marchelle is a collaboration between winemaker Greg La Follette and co-founder Kevin Lee (a Silicon Valley brand builder turned vintner), named in honor of their wives (Mara and Michelle).
