The Latest Cristaldi Scores
Vintage
Wine
Color
Rating
Vintage
Wine
Color
Rating
This red blend, sourced from the 140-acre Narra Vineyard estate in the Texas High Plains near Brownfield, combines Malbec and Merlot aged for 36 months in all-neutral barrels, and showcases depth and refinement.The Malbec contributes a savory character, while the Merlot brings bright fruit and floral notes. Layers of sagebrush, Texas prairie grass, figs, and spiced plums define the aromatic profile, and with some air, intriguing black tea nuances emerge. The tannins, too, carry a black tea-like quality, seamlessly integrated and adding to the wine’s polished texture. A complex and balanced red.
Ron Yates’ 2019 Amalgamation bursts out of the glass with aromas of dried strawberry fruit and balsamic reduction, with cherry pit and fruit leather emerging on the medium-bodied palate. Velvety, fine-grained tannins are beautifully integrated, providing a smooth texture. The finish is long, with dark cherry-infused cacao notes and a subtle hint of orange zest.
Ron Yates’ 2022 Sangiovese from Phillips Vineyard in the Texas High Plains offers vibrant, crunchy red currant fruits, complemented by notes of sagebrush and aromatic lime zest. Light- to medium-bodied, the wine is framed by super intense tannins that grip the palate, leading to a finish marked by a powerful limestone minerality.
This bright and zippy Sauvignon Blanc from Del Valley Vineyard, located about 70 miles from El Paso on a site of ancient river rock, is fresh and precise. Bursting with lemon-lime character, it’s laser-focused and lean, with a vibrant thread of limestone minerality running through it. Crisp and inviting, this Sauvignon Blanc is an excellent choice for those who appreciate a clean and mineral-driven white wine.
This Viognier from Ron Yates, sourced from the Nogalero Vineyard in the Texas High Plains, is aged for nine months in a combination of 15% new French oak and stainless steel. The result is a wine with a soft, medium-bodied richness, showcasing subtle orchard and stone fruit notes, complemented by a hint of pressed wildflowers.A lively thread of saline minerality runs through the palate, adding vibrancy and balance. The finish is long and gently spiced, making this Viognier refined and engaging.
The Ron Yates Tempranillo from Friesen Vineyards in the Texas High Plains is a rich, densely layered, and expressive wine. It showcases bold red berry and dark fruit character, with black cherry, currant, and fig notes. The tannins are intense and robust, firm and structured, providing a solid backbone that provides framing for a lengthy finish of dark cocoa and molasses richness.
The 2022 Louisa from Spicewood Vineyards is a 100% Sémillon that shines with simplicity and charm. This easy-drinking, straightforward wine offers lively citrus character, accented by a subtle hint of crushed Marcona almonds. The bright, clean saline finish adds a refreshing touch, making it an enjoyable and approachable expression of Sémillon. Perfect for casual sipping or pairing with light dishes.
The Spicewood Vineyards Red Wine Blend “Tandem” (a 50/50 blend of Carignan and Mourvèdre) is a fragrant wine that opens with delicate rose petal and violet notes, complemented by candied orange peel and red currant fruits. Medium-bodied, it features sappy tannins and layered flavors of agave nectar, toffee, and caramel, with subtle hints of dill.
From the 2022 vintage, this Cabernet Franc is a bright, spicy, medium-bodied red that offers notes of dried rose petals, crisp, crunchy acidity, and firm tannins. It’s quite expressive in its herbaceousness, which is well integrated and layered throughout. Balancing vibrancy with structure, this well-rounded red will appeal to fans of the variety.
Sourced from Dutton Vineyards in the Texas High Plains, this well-built, polished Tempranillo from Spicewood presents sweet red-toned fruit and subtle spice character. Medium-bodied on the palate, salty mineral notes add complexity, leading to a toasty cedarwood finish. Balanced and refined, this wine offers a harmonious blend of fruit, spice, and structure.
Spicewood Vineyards’ 2019 “The Independence” is a fragrant Cabernet Franc that opens with rose petal and lavender notes, interlaced with black cherry and red currant fruits. Medium-bodied on the palate, the bright florality counterbalances the wine’s dense red fruit and spice characters, while sappy, fine-grained tannins provide a smooth, structured mouthfeel. The wine glides to a satisfying finish.
The Tatum Cellars “Trois Etoiles” white blend is composed of 63% Marsanne, 21% Viognier, and 16% Roussanne, with only 100 cases produced. It opens with high-toned spice notes reminiscent of Texas prairie grass and hay, seamlessly interwoven with bright citrus fruit aromas. Light- to medium-bodied, the wine is clean and approachable, offering a straightforward yet enjoyable profile. The finish lingers with a subtle touch of crushed Marcona almonds, adding a pleasing complexity to this small-production white.
This 100% Grenache from Tatum Cellars hails from Hoover Valley Vineyard, located in the Texas Hill Country AVA. It’s a fantastic, red-toned fruited and medium-bodied red, with compelling espresso bean nuances, and lovely floral notes of dried violets and rose petals. Hints of underbrush and coca powder are carried along on a long finish that shows a wet slate minerality.
From Michael Ros Vineyards in the Texas High Plains, this Sauvignon Blanc is fermented in stainless steel and aged for seven months prior to release. Straightforward and uncomplicated, it delivers clean citrus and stone fruit flavors, accented by a subtle hint of baking spice on the finish. A refreshing and approachable wine, perfect for casual sipping.
This Picpoul Blanc shows good weight and depth of fruit character, with honeydew melon and candied lime aromas. Medium-bodied and plush, it offers a satiny texture that makes it all too easy to enjoy. Bright enough for a hot summer day yet layered with warming spice notes that lend it appeal for sipping during the colder months.
Sourced from the Michael Ros Vineyard in the Texas High Plains, the Michael Ros Winery Sangiovese Rosé is a beautifully lean and focused pink. It offers delicate notes of candied watermelon, strawberry, and cherry pit, accented by subtle hints of straw and white pepper. It’s light, bright, and brimming with pleasing tension.
The GSM Mélange 2021 from Pedernales Cellars blends 40% Mourvèdre, 33% Grenache, and 27% Syrah. It offers crunchy red-toned fruit notes, interalced with black currants, while hints of black truffle add aromatic complexity. Medium-bodied with silky, black tea-infsued tannins, black truffle and underbrush hints on the palate fuel a lengthy and mienral-rich finish.
