The Latest Cristaldi Scores
Vintage
Wine
Color
Rating
Vintage
Wine
Color
Rating
The El Ray Vineyard sits on the western edge of Santa Barbara County, perched on a hillside overlooking the historic La Purisima Mission lands. From this site comes a beautifully balanced Pinot Noir that delivers a quintessential expression of the region. Bright cherry fruit is infused with warm brown baking spices, supported by fine-grained yet robust tannins. Juicy, crunchy acidity with a saline edge underscores the wine’s structure, giving it lift, precision, and a mouthwatering finish.
Leaping from the glass are heady aromas of sweet and savory spice—cinnamon, clove, incense, and allspice—intertwined with black cherry fruit dusted in cinnamon and a zing of grapefruit zest. On the palate, sinewy tannins and electric, crunchy acidity create a tingling sensation at the front, while that rich spice character continues to flood the olfactory senses. It’s wildly aromatic and deeply spiced—a wine that practically demands two bottles: one for the glass, and one for cooking. It will enhance rich sauces and braised meats with wonderful spice character.
From the Thompson Vineyard in the Alisos Canyon AVA comes this unfiltered 2021 Syrah—just 72 cases made. It’s a vivid, layered, and beautifully perfumed expression of the variety, laced with rose petal and violet pastille aromatics that leap from the glass. The palate offers deep mid-palate concentration, with ironstone minerality at its core, accented by spearmint, wild sage, and savory spice. Firm, taut tannins carry a mineral edge, perfectly balanced by saline-acid tension that extends through the long, focused finish.
A full-throttle, ripe, and boldly expressive Petite Sirah, this wine delivers a rush of blue and black cherry fruit layered with spiced plum, all wrapped in firm, robust tannins. The palate is richly textured, with cedarwood, walnut husk, and cherry pit nuances adding savory depth. Earthy undertones and wet slate minerality drive the long, spicy finish, accented by dried rose petals and violets. A rollercoaster of power and nuance.
From the Drum Canyon Vineyard in the Sta. Rita Hills, this 2021 Pinot Noir carries a graceful, almost ephemeral quality. Delicate red berry fruit and warm spice tones lead the way, lifted by subtle cedarwood nuances. The palate is medium-bodied, framed by chunky, textural tannins that gradually soften into notes of fig, crushed cocoa nibs, and tangy apricot.
A blend of 39% Grenache Blanc, 33% Roussanne, and 28% Marsanne, this wine is explosively aromatic with soaring notes of honeysuckle, agave nectar, and a hint of parmesan rind. The medium- to full-bodied palate is silky and satiny, layered with honeydew melon drizzled in wildflower honey. Chamomile and zesty citrus extend the finish.
Though labeled simply as “Red Wine” on the back label, this is 95% Syrah with 5% Viognier, likely co-fermented in the tradition of the Northern Rhône. It’s also one of the most unabashedly savory reds you’ll find in the Santa Ynez Valley. Aromatics lean hard into black olive tapenade, black licorice, and dried cherry. The palate is firmly structured, with burly, drying tannins that shape the medium-bodied finish. A brooding and deeply earthy wine that will shine brightest alongside roasted meats or richly spiced fare.
The Cabernet Sauvignon is fermented in large oak fermenters and some concrete, then pressed and aged for 22 months in 50% new French oak. The nose is elegant and expressive, with dark cassis, blackberry, and black cherry fruit layered with gorgeous tobacco spice, dried sage, thyme, and beautifully integrated cedarwood notes. Full-bodied on the palate, it shows crushed cocoa nib tannins—super fine and powdery—framing juicy dark berry fruit and refined graphite accents. A poised, polished expression with both power and finesse.
This wine is sourced entirely from Block 3A, located near the pond on the southern portion of the property. It’s aged for 22 months in 100% new French oak, followed by an additional year in bottle before release. Dark fruit and loamy earth anchor the nose, with leathery tannins, vivid energy, and a coiled tension that gives the wine verve. There’s plenty of chalky black cherry and blackberry fruit, supported by pronounced, expressive tannins that have an elliptical quality—broad yet focused. The finish is fantastic, layered with spice and a volcanic, crushed red rock minerality. So expressive, and built to evolve.
The Estate is a blend of Cabernet Franc and Cabernet Sauvignon, fermented in large oak fermenters and some concrete, then pressed and aged for 22 months in 50% new French oak. It opens with beautiful dark fruit, sagebrush, and perfumed rose petal florals, all building on the palate into a full-bodied expression with richness and density. The tannins are robust, fine-grained, and focused, leading to a bright, lifted finish marked by saline-acid tension.
Relevant is intentionally crafted as a more fruit-forward wine from the estate, says winemaker Simon Faury. It’s sourced from lower parts of the vineyard where loamy soils dominate and there’s less rock. Fermentation is half native in concrete tanks, and the free-run juice is aged in one-third new French oak for up to 20 months. The nose is rich and dark-fruited, with notes of sage, graphite, and loamy earth, while pretty ironstone minerality lifts the aromatic profile. Medium- to full-bodied on the palate, it offers layers of cassis and black cherry, tobacco leaf, and cigar box, with beautifully supple, fine-grained tannins. The finish is long and polished, echoing with dark chocolate and earthy depth.
This wine sits comfortably in the stylistic pocket of the 2021 vintage but leans more fruit-forward on the palate, with supple, juicy fruit and expressive, robust tannins. Notes of cherry cola shine through, reflecting the warmth of the vintage, balanced by bright sage, spiced plum, and baking spices. The finish is long, and layered with dark cacao and plenty of structure.
The Estate is a blend of Cabernet Franc and Cabernet Sauvignon, fermented in large oak fermenters and some concrete, then pressed and aged for 20 months in 40% new French oak. The wine is medium- to full-bodied, with super ripe blackberry and black cherry fruit layered with integrated rose petal nuances and hints of rhubarb. All that perfumed character carries through to a lengthy finish. Crushed cacao nibs and saline-laced acidity add depth, while the finish is marked by impressive freshness and energy.
Fermentation is half native in concrete tanks, and the free-run juice is aged in one-third new French oak for up to 18 months. The wine is incredibly approachable, with beautifully ripe, juicy fruit that delivers pure pleasure. Elegant plum spice notes weave through, supported by plenty of fine-grained, supple tannins that carry the medium- to full-bodied weight. It doesn’t have the robust tannic structure of the 2021, but it offers the same dark, ripe fruit purity and signature elegance of the estate—along with excellent length. Just open and enjoy now or anytime over the next 10 years.
“Colluvial” refers to the rugged, rocky soil found in the world’s great vineyards, and this savory-spiced Pinot Noir certainly reflects that terroir-driven intensity. At this stage of development, the wine leans into its earthier side: notes of black tea, tobacco leaf, sage, and spearmint take the lead, while the once-vivid red berry fruit has mellowed into something subtler and more contemplative—like the woody pit of a cherry or apricot, with just a whisper of its former juiciness. There’s a convergence of mineral tension and spice here that feels deeply grounded, quietly seductive. If I’m being honest, this is my favorite moment in a wine’s life—when it sheds its youthful brightness and enters a more soulful, savory phase. Enjoy this now and over the next 4-7 years.
“Colluvial” refers to the rugged, rocky soil found in many of the world’s great vineyards, and this decadent Chardonnay lives up to its name. It’s a study in minerality, offering the tactile impression of smooth river stone and the bracing tension of freshly squeezed lemon meeting a bite of salted, candied lemon rind. Fragrant notes of toasty oak and buttered croissant weave through the mid-palate, joined by a flicker of fresh ginger. All of it builds to a focused, acid-driven finish.
A lovely expression of Syrah, this wine offers elegant layers of black cherry, blackberry, and plum, lifted by rose petal and rhubarb aromatics. Cherry pit and crushed violet notes emerge on the medium-bodied palate, framed by velvety tannins laced with floral nuance. Dark salted chocolate rises on the juicy, lingering finish, adding depth and savor to this polished and expressive red.
This red-fruited, spice-driven Grenache from Ballard Canyon AVA offers plenty of intrigue and structure. Juicy strawberry and dusty rose lead on the nose, while the palate is framed by firm, meaty tannins that etch themselves into every crevice. Sweet paprika and rose stem emerge on the long, savory finish. A compelling wine—ideal alongside hard cheeses and herb-laced pastas.
