The Latest Cristaldi Scores
Vintage
Wine
Color
Rating
Vintage
Wine
Color
Rating
The Brennan Vineyards Tribute Red, created in honor of late winery founder Dr. J. Patrick Brennan, is an elegant and savory wine that offers a rich profile of currant fruits, tobacco spices, cedarwood, and tanned leather. The wine is further enhanced by delicate notes of dried rose petals and violets. Medium-bodied with expressive tannins, it shows layers of fig jam and currant jelly, intertwined with sagebrush, thyme, and black truffle nuances. A beautifully complex wine, it has both depth and refinement, making it a memorable tribute to its namesake.
From Brennan Vineyards comes this dynamic non-vintage blend of 27% 2023 Syrah, 4% 2023 Ruby Cabernet, 27% 2023 Cabernet Sauvignon, 21% 2020 Tempranillo, and 21% 2020 Syrah. The wine teems with vibrant red cherry, espresso bean, leather, and tobacco notes. Full-bodied, it reveals emerging blue fruit flavors, cherry compote, and pressed violets, creating a rich and layered profile. Lively and energetic, it is framed by firm, well-integrated tannins that provide structure and balance. These non-vintage blends from Brennan Vineyards offer a unique approach to crafting wines, and it’s a style that I believe Texas producers should dig their spurs into more often.
Brennan Vineyards’ Newburg Vineyard Estate Cuvée is a blend of Viognier and Sémillon, sourced from a west-facing slope on sandy loam soils with excellent drainage, which contributes to the wine’s nice concentration. This white blend showcases a rich mid-palate, beautifully balanced by zesty citrus fruit, salty minerality, and a refreshing, crunchy acid tension. The wine combines depth and vibrancy, making it both complex and easy to enjoy.
Brennan Vineyards’ 2021 Cabernet Sauvignon from Newburg Vineyard in Comanche County is a well-balanced, unfussy, and easy-drinking red. Packed with vibrant strawberry and raspberry fruit, it’s complemented by notes of fruit leather, panna cotta, and coriander cream. The wine’s full-bodied expression of Cabernet is supported by robust tannins, adding structure while maintaining a smooth and approachable character.
This Mourvèdre from the Blackwater Draw Vineyard in the Texas High Plains is like strawberry fruit leather in a glass. Medium-bodied, it shows velvety tannins complemented by nuances of white pepper, charcuterie, and agave nectar. The tannins assert themselves, framing a dry finish while the mid-palate maintains a juicy character. Lingering notes of currants and cassis add complexity.
The Buffalo Roam Reserve is a savory red wine that combines 65% Syrah, 19% Cabernet Sauvignon, 12% Petite Sirah, and 6% Cabernet Franc. It offers very attractive green olive tapenade notes that mingle with red currants, dried herbs, and spices. Medium-bodied, it is framed by black tea tannins and complemented by tobacco, sage, and a hint of dried spearmint on its complex finish.
This Reserve Petite Sirah from the Texas High Plains is a full-throttle, meaty red with ripe currant fruit, charcuterie, and dried strawberry, complemented by dried herb nuances of prairie grass and sage. Medium-bodied, it boasts black tea-scented tannins, along with layers of black truffle, loamy earth, and delicate pressed violets and hydrangea notes.
The Winemaker’s Choice is a non-vintage blend consisting of 22% Malbec, 10% Carmenère, 3% Cabernet Franc, 15% Syrah, 32% Graciano, 4% Cabernet Sauvignon, and 2% 2019 Tempranillo (all from the 2019 vintage); along with 4% 2020 Cabernet Sauvignon, and 8% 2018 Tempranillo. This well-built red offers savory red currant fruit, charcuterie, white pepper, and dried rose petal notes. Medium-bodied with firm, grippy tannins, it lingers with plenty of savory spices.
This 2022 Viognier from Newburg Vineyard in Comanche County is sourced from a west-facing slope on sandy loam soils with excellent drainage, contributing to the wine’s great concentration. Aromas of candied lemon peel and lemon oil burst from the glass, tinged with a drizzle of honey, creating an inviting and aromatic profile. Medium-bodied, it displays nice mid-palate tension, with a long finish marked by the subtle richness of crushed, salted Marcona almonds.
The Brennan Vineyards 2023 Roussanne from the Texas High Plains is a fairly light-bodied white with subtle citrus and orchard fruit notes, intertwined with a nutty richness. On the palate, it offers a touch of saline minerality, which provides a refreshing balance. As the wine opens up with air, it builds in richness and depth, revealing more complexity. This Roussanne makes for a perfect early evening sipper, offering a blend of freshness and evolving flavors that make it a delightful, easy-drinking choice.
Sourced from Newburg Vineyard in Comanche County, this Muscat of Alexandria is a crisp, refreshing light-bodied white wine that opens with fragrant white flower notes, lime citrus, kumquat, and crushed almonds. These flavors linger beautifully, with a hint of honeyed sweetness and a touch of orange zest on the finish. A vibrant and aromatic white.
The 2019 Blackmon Cabernet Sauvignon from the Texas Hill Country is a fantastic wine that beautifully showcases classic Cabernet character. It offers satiny, slightly sappy tannins that are beautifully integrated, complemented by a melange of dried herb notes and delectable black currant and spiced plum fruits. Rich and enticing, it delivers fantastic structure and length, highlighting the potential of the Texas Hill Country. Aged 15 months in roughly 30% new French oak, this dynamic Cabernet is a standout expression of the region. The winemaker is Anthony Offhill.
The 2020 Blackmon Cabernet Sauvignon from the Texas Hill Country offers classic Cabernet character with notes of black pepper and sage, complemented by a subtle hint of Texas prairie grass. Black currant and fig fruits mingle with spiced plums, creating a rich and layered profile. Framed by robust tannins, the wine builds with dark cocoa and wet slate, leading to a full-bodied finish that’s both deep and complex. A well-structured and expressive Texas Cabernet. The winemaker is Anthony Offhill.
This is a brooding, intense, and nicely structured Texas Hill Country Merlot from Blackmon. It presents spiced black cherry and plum fruits, complemented by fine cedarwood spices. Medium-bodied on the palate, it is framed by velvety tannins that provide smooth texture and depth. The wine is layered with ironstone minerality, carrying through to a lengthy finish.
The County Line Red Blend from Blackmon, sourced from the Texas Hill Country AVA, is a rich and expressive wine, offering abundant black currant fruit, fig, dark cocoa, and toasty oak notes, all creating a beautifully layered profile. Full-bodied, it features plush, velvet-textured tannins and plenty of grippy acidity, which helps maintain freshness and vibrancy throughout. Well-balanced and tension-filled, with a mid-palate richness that builds complexity, this red is both inviting and sophisticated. The winemaker is Anthony Offhill.
The County Line Red Blend from Blackmon, sourced from the Texas Hill Country AVA, is a wine with a multifaceted nose, offering aromas of black currants and black tea. Well-balanced, its tannins are well-integrated and not over-extracted, allowing the fruit to shine. Framed by juicy, crunchy acidity, it features lovely undertones of underbrush and conifer, leading to a long, satisfying finish. The winemaker is Anthony Offhill.
The Roussanne Estate Reserve from Bingham Family Vineyards, sourced from their High Plains vineyards, kicks off with fragrant notes of prairie grass, chamomile tea, and honeycomb. Medium-bodied on the palate, it offers a creamy richness that builds with layers of coriander cream, peach cobbler, and a touch of salted caramel cream. Despite its depth, the wine retains a bright and refreshing character, finishing strong with an excellent balance of richness and vibrancy.
The Bingham Family Vineyards Mourvèdre Estate Reserve is a bold and intense red, packed with green tobacco, red currant, and fig fruits. The tannins are strong, offering a substantial structure, while the limestone minerality is particularly pronounced, with a distinctive, earthy character. This wine has a definite place at the table, but demands rich, creamy cheeses or smoky/hearty meats to balance its herbal and tannic intensity.
