The Latest Cristaldi Scores
Vintage
Wine
Color
Rating
Vintage
Wine
Color
Rating
This 100% Souzao, a Portuguese variety known for its tiny berries and small clusters (especially in challenging vintages), was aged for 24 months in neutral American oak. Traditionally used in Port production on the Iberian Peninsula, Souzao shines here as a full-bodied, expressive dry wine. The profile is alluring, with black-fruited depth, rich woodsy and underbrush notes, savory hints of charcuterie, and pressed flowers. The palate is bold, featuring muscular, meaty tannins with firm grip and impressive mid-palate density, framed by a salty and chalky minerality that adds precision and length. Perfectly suited for hearty BBQ, smoked meats, or bacon-centric dishes, this wine is a powerhouse.
This 100% Alicante Bouschet, sourced from the Texas Heritage Vineyard, was aged for up to 38 months in mostly neutral barrels. The wine opens with perfumed aromas of currants and pressed violets, complemented by mocha-dusted fig notes. Medium- to full-bodied, it showcases a dynamic and expressive profile of red- and black-toned fruits, supported by grippy, intense, and firm tannins that are impressively well-integrated at this stage. The finish is marked by a distinctive salty, wet slate character, adding a touch of minerality to its structure.
This 100% Tannat, sourced from Texas Heritage Vineyard in the Texas Hill Country, comes from vines planted in 2017. Aged for up to 36 months in mostly neutral American oak, the wine reflects the subtle mineral character of the vineyard’s limestone soils—a feature owner Susan Johnson highlights as key to their terroir. Bright, crunchy red fruit flavors mingle with white pepper spice, currants, tanned leather, and tobacco notes, creating a complex and layered profile. Medium- to full-bodied, it delivers good density and structure, balanced by a smooth, approachable finish. Remarkably impressive for third-leaf fruit, this wine is both a testament to its potential and a total crowd-pleaser.
“Stella Solitaria,” meaning “Lone Star” in Italian, is a blend of 45% Montepulciano and 45% Aglianico (both sourced from Wildseed Farms Vineyard in the Hill Country AVA near Fredericksburg), and 10% Cabernet Sauvignon (from Family Vineyard near Brownfield in Terry County). Fermented in open-top small-lot bins, the wine is pressed to tank, cold-settled, and then aged for up to 48 months in mostly neutral oak. The result is an elegant, vibrant red wine with crunchy red fruit flavors, powerful tannins, and notes of mocha. Blood orange acidity and a rich vein of chalky minerality on the finish add balance and complexity to this bright, spicy, and zippy red blend.
This 100% Roussanne is sourced entirely from Reddy Vineyards in the Texas High Plains. Fermented in stainless steel and bottled in November shortly after harvest, it offers a fresh yet generously textured profile. This white presents good body and plumpness, showcasing salty citrus flavors alongside subtle nutty notes on the finish and very good balance of richness and freshness.
Reddy Vineyards, established by a Texas Tech professor, covers over 400 acres and cultivates an impressive 38 different grape varieties. This Viognier, sourced from their site in Brownfield in the Texas High Plains, is fermented in stainless steel and bottled shortly after fermentation in October, maintaining its fresh and vibrant character. Bright, crisp, and refreshingly easy to drink, it reveals intriguing nutty notes that add depth to its profile, with a distinctive hibiscus tea character lingering on the finish. A delightful and approachable expression.
The 2020 Adega Vinho Estate Bilger Family Vineyards Tempranillo from Texas Hill Country is a medium-bodied red that opens with vibrant blue fruit and violet aromas, complemented by wonderful sweet spices and espresso bean notes. The fine-grained tannins provide good structure, leading to a long finish marked by savory herbs and mineral richness.
This Chardonnay, sourced from the Texas Hill Vineyard in Blanco County within the Texas Hill Country AVA, is a standout expression of the variety. It shines with bright lemon oil character, honey-laced wildflowers, and a subtle kiss of vanilla, all elegantly intertwined with cedarwood notes that add depth to its medium-bodied profile. Beneath its rich layers lies a firm backbone of racy, spicy acidity that builds with intensity. The finish is long and memorable, marked by nuances of cardamom cream and candied lemon peel.
The 2023 Sauvignon Blanc from Dell Valley Vineyard in Hudspeth County is a testament to its unique terroir, with grapes grown in ancient riverbed soils under the shadow of Guadalupe Peak. Hand-harvested and whole-cluster pressed, the wine is fermented and aged in stainless steel. Light- to medium-bodied, it offers ripe lemon and apricot notes, complemented by a hint of Texas prairie grass. The palate is bright and focused, leading to a refreshing, long finish with a pronounced limestone mineral backbone.
This Mourvèdre from Bilger Family Vineyards in the Texas Hill Country, is sourced from vines grown on sandy, limestone soils. Red-toned fruits transition seamlessly into cool, limestone-driven minerality, with layers of espresso bean, charcuterie, and bright citrus notes of blood orange and grapefruit zest. A totally pleasing red, it strikes a perfect balance of richness and freshness, making it an excellent choice for pairing with smoked brisket or chicken dishes.
This blend of Arinto and Alvarinho, two Portuguese varieties, is sourced from the limestone, clay, and sandy soils of Bilger Family Estate Vineyard in Stonewall, TX. Barrel-fermented and aged in oak for seven months, it offers a vibrant and well-rounded profile. Bright citrus fruit notes, including lemon oil, are complemented by apricot, pear, and a subtle touch of nougat. Medium-bodied, this white delivers a refreshing and lengthy finish, balancing richness with a lively energy.
Whatley Wines’ Erste Rosé of Cabernet Sauvignon from the Texas High Plains is bold and dark, with deep rose petal hues in the glass. Call it “the Cowboys’ rosé”—barrel fermented and aged for 8 months in oak, it’s robust, with grippy tannins that lend structure and grip amid its aromas of red berry fruit and subtle nutty undertones.
Wedding Oak Winery’s Texas High Plains Castanet Rosé offers a fantastic medium-bodied palate with a velvety-silky texture. A subtle hint of sweetness is balanced by a firm spine of grippy acidity, creating a harmonious and inviting profile. Layered with flavors of strawberry, watermelon, white peach, and candied apricot, it also features delicate notes of pressed flowers and a hint of bergamot. Elegant and complex, this rosé is a standout.
The Wedding Oak Winery Roussanne, sourced from the family-owned Hye Top Vineyard in the Texas Hill Country, delivers a focused medium-bodied expression of this classic French variety, which thrives in the High Plains. It opens with enticing aromas of lemon oil, dried apricot, and a medley of sweet baking spices, accented by a hint of honey and pressed white flowers. The palate is long and layered, with a salty minerality and a refreshing touch of lemon zest on the finish.
The Wedding Oak Winery Rosé of Grenache, sourced from Mirasol Vineyards in the Texas Hill Country, offers delicate hints of rose water, blood orange, and a subtle kiss of dried fennel. Light-bodied on the palate, it showcases a refreshing salty minerality balanced by soaring acid tension. Focused, linear, and vibrant, this rosé is wonderfully food-friendly.
Sourced from the Diamonte Dos Vineyard in the Texas High Plains, this Petite Sirah opens with aromas of rose petal, violets, and crunchy red fruit. It is framed by burly tannins that provide a unique granularity, giving the wine an interesting texture that builds with intensity. With good concentration, it finishes with cool graphite and dried herb character. Pair this structured and flavorful wine with herb-encrusted pork loin.
The Wedding Oak Winery Riesling, sourced from Cerro Santo Vineyards in the Texas High Plains, greets you with a sharp, high-toned nose that belies the wine’s inviting palate. Once tasted, it reveals a creamy texture with delightful notes of honeydew melon, honeycomb, fragrant wildflowers, and lemon oil. A subtle richness adds depth, making it a pleasure to drink, while the slightly off-dry finish rounds out its balanced and approachable profile. A charming Riesling that rewards those who delve past its initial sharpness.
Barrel-aged for 12 months in neutral oak, this Robert Clay Chardonnay is sourced from Mason County in the Texas Hill Country, an hour west of Stonewall. Here, vines thrive in hickory sands—deep, fine soils that rest above the large Hickory Aquifer. This “B 21 03 RCV CHA” label represents the filtered expression of their Chardonnay, offering a leaner, more focused profile compared to their unfiltered “B 21 02 RCV CHA.” It showcases white pepper-infused citrus and orchard fruit, accented by savory cedarwood spices. Medium-bodied with precise acidity and heightened tension, this wine finishes with a distinctive cool, wet granite minerality.
This release of Robert Clay’s Chardonnay, sourced from Mason County in the Texas Hill Country AVA, is sourced from vines rooted in the deep, fine Hickory sands that sit atop the expansive Hickory Aquifer. Barrel-aged for 12 months in neutral oak, this wine showcases a ripe, full-throttle character. It opens with vibrant citrus fruit, white pepper, and a subtle hint of savory prairie grass, intertwined with sweet cedarwood spices. Medium-bodied, the palate is surprisingly leaner than the nose suggests, offering bright acidity and balanced tension. A crowd-pleaser with excellent structure, it’s one of the most food-friendly Chardonnays from Texas. Notably, this “B 21 02 RCV CHA” is an unfiltered expression of Chardonnay (their “B 21 03 RCV CHA” offers a filtered version).
