The Latest Cristaldi Scores
Vintage
Wine
Color
Rating
Vintage
Wine
Color
Rating
From the Fire Oak Vineyard in Mills County, this red blend of 75% Mourvèdre and 25% Carignan is juicy, full-bodied, and layered with crunchy red fruit flavors and sweet spices, complemented by the distinctive character of dried wild herbs. The wine’s juicy acidity brings tension and freshness to the finish.
Wow, what a marvelously rich, full-bodied, and powerful Tannat, but with impressive energy and tension. It boasts balanced, robust tannins and loads of perfectly ripe dark berry fruit, including blueberry compote, alongside sweet and savory spices, and pure, natural, balanced acidity that keeps this wine grippy, fresh, and bright. The tannisn are massive and powerful, and I’d hold onto this until 2027, until popping corks. Consumers are in for a real treat when this is offered through the tasting room outside of Fredericksburg. A captivating expression of Tannat that promises to impress. Winemaker Tony Offill, who started here in 2017, has made marked improvements, and with Napa-based consultant Jean Hoefliger, who began consulting with William Chris in 2022, the transformation of these wines is incredible, and they are among the best wines being made in Texas today.
From the Hye Estate, this Tannat is ripe and fragrant, with a beautiful mix of red and purple florals, sweet spices, and extremely polished, firm, fine-grained tannins. Medium-bodied to full-bodied, it showcases brown spices and elegant cedarwood throughout, all while maintaining incredible freshness. Terrific fruit purity and density of fruit weight on the mid-palate are off the charts. Winemaker Tony Offill, who started here in 2017, has made marked improvements, and with Napa-based consultant Jean Hoefliger, who began consulting with William Chris in 2022, the transformation of these wines is incredible, and they are among the best wines being made in Texas today.
A blend of 58% Cabernet Sauvignon, 34% Malbec, and 8% Merlot, the 2022 William Chris Vineyards Enchanté is sourced from Upflit Vineyard on granitic bedrock, as well as Blackmon Ranch and Fovel Family Vineyard, where vines are rooted in Hickory sands. All three sites are located in the Llano Uplift formation within the Texas Hill Country AVA. Fermented in large upright oak fermenters and aged for 17 months in 25% new French oak, the use of French oak layers in tighter, more firm, and structured tannins that are fine-grained and well-integrated. The wine showcases a host of crunchy red and black-toned fruit character, graphite notes, and dried herbs, creating a dynamic and captivating profile. This is a dynamite wine from the Texas Hill Country, offering immediate appeal with the structure and aging potential to evolve beautifully over time.
The 2022 Malbec from Uplift Vineyard in the Texas Hill Country is 100% Malbec, aged for 16 months in 10-15% new French oak. It is beautifully fresh and inviting, with captivating red berry fruit notes and crystalline acid tension, making this Malbec quite impressive. Lovely blue fruit and violet notes complement the wine, while velvet, fine-grained tannins provide a smooth, medium-bodied structure. The wine is framed by elegant cedarwood spices, adding depth and complexity. The winery is situated on a stunning 72-acre site, with 55 acres planted as of 2024, in Hoover’s Valley within the Llano Uplift, surrounded by three mountain ranges and the Colorado River. It’s a gorgeous site, imbued with soil that is literally pure beach sand. Winemaker Claire Richardson, along with her full-time vineyard crew, is doing a phenomenal job crafting bright, fresh, and energetic wines that truly capture the essence of this slice of Texan countryside. The consulting winemaker is Jean Hoefliger.
The Badu from Uplift Vineyard in the Texas Hill Country is a very savory and smoky wine, combining 57% Montepulciano, 33% Aglianico, 7% Cabernet Sauvignon, 3% Sangiovese. It shows a hearty, meaty richness, with hints of espresso bean. Full-bodied, it features robust tannins and layers of red and black-toned fruit, including currant and spiced plums. Cool, wet slate minerality adds a refreshing edge, carrying through to the long finish.
Uplift Vineyard’s Texas Hill Country 2022 Sangiovese,sourced from vines planted on ancient granitic soils amidst surrounding mountain ranges, is a red-toned wine marked by vibrant currant fruit and brown baking spice notes. It features intense, fine-grained tannins that are beautifully balanced by a foundation of blood orange acidity. The finish is complex, with nuances of dried wild herbs, pomegranate seeds, and cherry pit, adding depth to its long, satisfying conclusion.
This blend of 68% Marsanne and 32% Roussanne, crafted by Claire Richardson with consulting winemaker Jean Hoefliger, is a bright, fresh, and expressive white sourced from Uplift Vineyard in the Texas Hill Country. The wine is layered with fragrant baking spice notes, complementing its medium-bodied palate and balanced tension. Its flavors of Meyer lemon, apricot, white fig, and salted Marcona almonds add nuance and complexity.
The 2022 Estate Red from Uplift Vineyard in the Texas Hill Country is a bright, ripe, red-fruited wine with a hint of sage, cool wet slate, and rose petal. Medium-bodied, it features a firm spine of grippy acidity and taut, fine-grained tannins. The wine finishes with bright, crunchy pomegranate seed notes, revealing a juicy and fresh character. Aged in 10% new French oak, it shows great balance and vibrancy. The winery is situated on a stunning 72-acre site, with 55 acres planted as of 2024, in Hoover’s Valley within the Llano Uplift, surrounded by three mountain ranges and the Colorado River. It’s a gorgeous site, imbued with soil that is literally pure beach sand. Winemaker Claire Richardson, along with her full-time vineyard crew, is doing a phenomenal job of crafting bright, fresh, and energetic wines that truly capture the essence of this unique Texan countryside. The consulting winemaker is Jean Hoefliger.
A year ago, I wrote that this 2023 Cabernet Sauvignon shows the most promise among all of the barrel samples I tasted in Texas in November 2024. Tasting it again in October of 2025, this wine is just as impressive, gaining fruit depth and density, boasting a kind of Left Bank purity in the fruit profile, showcasing vibrant red and black fruit, spices, and mineral nuances, along with notes of thyme, sage, and anise with wet slate minerality on the lengthy finish. Medium- to full-bodied, it offers crisp, crunchy acidity and firm, inviting tannins. The Uplift Estate is situated on a stunning 72-acre site, with 55 acres planted as of 2024, in Hoover’s Valley within the Llano Uplift, surrounded by three mountain ranges and the Colorado River. It’s a gorgeous site, imbued with soil that is literally pure beach sand. Winemaker Claire Richardson, along with her full-time vineyard crew, is doing a phenomenal job crafting bright, fresh, and energetic wines that truly capture the essence of this slice of Texan countryside. The consulting winemaker is Jean Hoefliger.
(Barrel Sample) Incredibly polished with power, energy, and tension, this blend of 70% Monteuplicano, 22% Cabernet Sauvignon, and 8% Sangiovese offers gorgeously pure red fruits laced with vanilla and tobacco spice notes. Medium-bodied with polished tannins that are already poised for foundational success, it shows great promise. This is going to be a killer wine when it’s finally released, and I can’t wait to re-taste it. There’s been a dynamic shift—a watershed moment—in the production of these wines since Napa-based consultant Jean Hoefliger began consulting with Uplift Vineyard in 2022. The transformation is evident, and this wine is a testament to that evolution, promising an exciting future for these wines.
The Whitlock is a blend of 30% Cabernet Sauvignon, 30% Merlot, 20% Malbec, and 20% Petite Sirah. Aged 16 months in 20% new French oak. This is an elegant wine, with a satiny and velvety mouthfeel and nice depth of dark fruit flavors. Medium- to full-bodied, the wine features polished, plump tannins that glide smoothly to a long, satisfying finish. The Uplift Estate is situated on a stunning 72-acre site, with 55 acres planted as of 2024, in Hoover’s Valley within the Llano Uplift, surrounded by three mountain ranges and the Colorado River. It’s a gorgeous site, imbued with soil that is literally pure beach sand. Winemaker Claire Richardson, along with her full-time vineyard crew, is doing a phenomenal job crafting bright, fresh, and energetic wines that truly capture the essence of this slice of Texan countryside. The consulting winemaker is Jean Hoefliger.
The 2023 Uplift Vineyard Merlot shows classic varietal character in its spiced plum fruit and gorgeously spicy aromatics. It truly surprises, however, with its tannic intensity and impressively bright acid grip. An exceedingly fresh and layered red. The Uplift Estate is situated on a stunning 72-acre site, with 55 acres planted as of 2024, in Hoover’s Valley within the Llano Uplift, surrounded by three mountain ranges and the Colorado River. It’s a gorgeous site, imbued with soil that is literally pure beach sand. Winemaker Claire Richardson, along with her full-time vineyard crew, is doing a phenomenal job crafting bright, fresh, and energetic wines that truly capture the essence of this slice of Texan countryside. The consulting winemaker is Jean Hoefliger.
(Barrel Sample) The Vigneron Blend is a bright, spicy, and tension-filled red, offering pure currant and cherry fruits, tobacco, and white pepper spices. Medium-bodied, it builds richness on the palate with assertive, very fine, and balanced tannins that provide structure and depth. There’s been a dynamic shift—a watershed moment—in the production of these wines since Napa-based consultant Jean Hoefliger began consulting with Uplift Vineyard in 2022. The transformation is evident, and this wine is a testament to that evolution, promising an exciting future for these wines.
The Badu, only made in the best vintages, is a blend of 41% Sangiovese, 43% Aglianico, 11% Montepulciano, and 5% Merlot, offering a super attractive red-fruited profile with beautiful black tea nuances and fragrant cedarwood spice. Medium-bodied, it presents apple skin tannins, white pepper notes, and crunchy red fruit, all scented with fresh rose petals and violets that carry through the wine from start to finish. I first tasted this wine in November of 2024, and since then, it’s put on some real weight, depth of fruit flavor, and the finish is long with saline-minerality that is incredibly inviting. Winemaker Claire Richardson, along with her full-time vineyard crew, is doing a phenomenal job crafting bright, fresh, and energetic wines that truly capture the essence of this slice of Texan countryside. The consulting winemaker is Jean Hoefliger. This wine is available in late 2026.
Pristine red fruit and elegant cedarwood spice character build on the medium-bodied palate, with impressive, fine, and stacked tannins that lay a solid foundation for this youthful Montepulciano red. I first tasted this wine as a barrel sample, and over a year, it’s put on some wonderful weight, and the fruit profile has grown with darkness, power, and depth. The winery is situated on a stunning 72-acre site, with 55 acres planted as of 2024, in Hoover’s Valley within the Llano Uplift, surrounded by three mountain ranges and the Colorado River. This particular variety does really well here in Texas because it can take heat, it can take late spring freezes, it can take rain and drought, and still comes out on top. The Uplift site is a gorgeous vineyard, imbued with soil that is literally pure beach sand. Winemaker Claire Richardson, along with her full-time vineyard crew, is doing a phenomenal job crafting bright, fresh, and energetic wines that truly capture the essence of this slice of Texan countryside. The consulting winemaker is Jean Hoefliger. Large oak fermented. Aged 16 Months in 20% new French oak
The 2023 Uplift Vineyard Malbec is bright, ripe, and tension-filled, offering a fresh profile with firm, fine-grained tannins. It features vibrant candied red berry fruit and violet notes, complemented by integrated Indian spices. The wine boasts terrific balance and freshness, and has a nice depth, richness, and bold florality on the lengthy finish. The Uplift Estate is situated on a stunning 72-acre site, with 55 acres planted as of 2024, in Hoover’s Valley within the Llano Uplift, surrounded by three mountain ranges and the Colorado River. It’s a gorgeous site, imbued with soil that is literally pure beach sand. Winemaker Claire Richardson, along with her full-time vineyard crew, is doing a phenomenal job crafting bright, fresh, and energetic wines that truly capture the essence of this slice of Texan countryside. The consulting winemaker is Jean Hoefliger.
