The Latest Cristaldi Scores
Vintage
Wine
Color
Rating
Vintage
Wine
Color
Rating
The Eden Hill Vineyards Winemaker’s Reserve Tempranillo from the Eden Hill Estate Vineyard, produced by Chris Hornbaker, is a richly layered, medium-bodied red. It opens with red-toned fruit aromas of strawberry, rhubarb, and cranberry, with an interesting note reminiscent of cotton candy—nostalgic and inviting, like childhood evenings at the county fair. Fine, firm tannins provide structure, and the finish is both sweetly spiced and bone dry. A truly fascinating Tempranillo from Texas!
Eden Hill’s Texas High Plains Tempranillo offers crunchy red currant fruit, dusty minerals, and sweet clove, with a touch of coconut shavings. Medium-bodied, it is framed by sappy, firm tannins, with the same aromatic profile making appearances on the palate. This Tempranillo is a fine expression of the variety, offering consumers an easy-drinking, low-alcohol red that should pair wonderfully with brisket, pork, or roast chicken dishes.
The 2022 Eden Hill Vineyard Tannat from the Texas High Plains is a fashionable and elegant red that offers vibrant black cherry fruit, tarweed, graphite, and a hint of molasses. Full-bodied, it is framed by crisp, assertive tannins that provide structure and balance. The finish reveals a potpourri of dried rose petal and violet notes, accented by white pepper, thyme, and sage. A very complete and complex Tannat.
Elisa Christopher Wines’ Letkeman Family Vineyard Sangiovese from the Texas High Plains opens with distinctive aromas of green tobacco, cedarwood, and spices. Medium-bodied, it features mineral-laced tannins that are intensely grippy, providing a solid structure. The wine finishes with a bright, herbaceous character.
The 2023 Ultra Brut Grenache sparkles with notes of candied melon, fennel, and wild sage, creating an aromatic profile that is both unique and enticing. Its decadent, creamy mousse adds richness, while the palate reveals impressive focus, energy, and tension.Compared to the producer’s Trebbiano sparkling, this wine offers a more precise and dynamic expression, showcasing the finesse and vibrancy of Grenache in an ultra-brut style.
This 2022 Mourvèdre was sourced from the Buena Suerte Vineyards in the Texas HIgh Plains. Sniffing this welcoming red evokes a basket of ripe, farmer’s market strawberries dropped on top of rich panna cotta cream. On the palate, the wine becomse more focused, and layered with firm, taut tannins and an iron-like minerality that fuels its bone-dry finish.
The Il Segno Red blends 70% Sangiovese and 30% Cabernet Sauvignon and opens with bright, candied red berry fruit, interlaced with sweet spices, agave nectar, and a touch of orange zest. Medium-bodied, the wine carries these same elements onto the palate, framed by firm tannins that add structure. The finish is dry and marked by a chalky mineral quality, contrasting nicely with its fruit-forward profile. Elisa Christopher Wines is a project between married couple Elisa and Christopher Jones. The couple owns a 43-acre property in the Texas Hill Country AVA. They make wine from 100% Texas-grown grapes and are making some fantastic sparkling wine in addition to their still wine offerings. Visit them at their tasting room just west of Johnson City, Texas.
This intriguing sparkling wine, crafted from Trebbiano, offers a bright, rich, and creamy mousse that immediately captivates. Nutty undertones and notes of baking spices are complemented by a hint of honey and pressed wildflowers, adding depth and elegance. A firm backbone of juicy acidity braces the palate, making this sparkling wine refreshingly vibrant and incredibly easy to enjoy. Effortlessly crushable and full of character.
Elisa Christopher Wines’ 100% Merlot from the Texas High Plains is aromatic and spicy on the nose, with intriguing hints of jalapeño, black currants, and spiced plums. Medium-bodied, it offers juicy upfront fruit character, framed by vibrant blue fruit compote and black cherry accents. The wine is further layered with notes of pie spices, leather, and a touch of white pepper.
The Magnus, a blend of 52% Tempranillo and 48% Cabernet Sauvignon, opens with high-toned red berry fruit and spice character, complemented by delicate notes of dried lilacs. Medium- to full-bodied on the palate, it layers dried fig and apricot fruit flavors with smoky minerals, molasses, and the herbal essence of tarweed. The wine finishes long, with an excellent concentration of flavors and a firm spine of racy acidity that keeps everything balanced and in check, making it a structured and captivating red.
The Jenblossom Cellars 2020 Petit Verdot, sourced from a site in the Texas High Plains at 3,300 feet elevation, is one of the most satisfying and polished varietal Petit Verdot wines that I’ve tasted. Medium- to full-bodied, it presents a rich black fruit character, accented by pressed violets and espresso bean notes, with additional layers of dark cacao and dried rose petal on the lengthy finish. Extremely appealing, this wine has the structure and depth to carry an entire meal.
Made from early-picked grapes, with larger berries and lighter skins, this rosé undergoes pressing directly at the vineyard before being transported to the winery. Fermentation takes place in stainless steel, followed by six months of aging in tank before bottling. With a modest 12% alcohol and a light orange hue from brief skin contact, this wine is vibrant and refreshing. It offers bright red berry and high-toned melon fruit notes, layered with savory herbal undertones. The palate is defined by a tart, racy acid backbone that leads to a dry, crisp finish. Sourced entirely from Kalasi’s Narra Vineyards estate in the Texas High Plains, this wine is a delightful, a versatile and engaging expression of its unique terroir.
Originally planted in 2014 at Kalasi’s 140-acre Narra Vineyards estate in the Texas High Plains, this 100% Malbec showcases the region’s potential. Typically ripening around Labor Day, the fruit delivers a wine aged for 24 months in neutral French oak. Bright red berry fruit forms the core of its profile, accented by striking red and purple floral notes. These flavors mingle harmoniously with toasty cedarwood, a hint of molasses, fruit leather, and sweet spices. The palate is structured by firm, fine-grained tannins, leading to a long, sweetly spiced finish.
This Malvasia Bianca is a testament to freshness and vibrancy. Grapes were pressed directly in the vineyard using a bladder press, with the juice cold-settled before fermentation and then aged for six months in stainless steel prior to bottling. Sourced entirely from Kalasi’s Narra Vineyards estate in the Texas High Plains—located five hours from the winery—refrigerated transport is essential to preserving the quality of the fruit. This light, low-alcohol white is ideal for summer sipping or pairing with spicy, rich dishes. Highly floral and delicate, it features enchanting aromas of jasmine and honeysuckle. On the palate, it delivers impressive phenolic grip and a vinous character, underpinned by a chalky mineral baseline and bright acid tension. Lean, focused, and utterly refreshing, this white shows both charm and precision.
This Bordeaux blend features Cabernet Sauvignon Clone 685, Cabernet Franc, Merlot, and Carménère, aged for an impressive 48 months in neutral French oak. Named “Kanchi,” after a village in South India renowned for its wedding saris, the name evokes a sense of rich history and elegance—qualities reflected in the wine itself. The wine is both elegant and intense, offering high-toned red berry fruit and warm spices. Full-bodied, it boasts plump, velvety tannins with layers of mocha, brown spices like cardamom and coriander, and intriguing notes of grapefruit zest and orange peel. The finish is long and deeply satisfying, marking this wine as a standout.
This Sagrantino, the first optically-sorted example of the variety in Texas, is a standout wine. Grown near the Malvasia Bianca blocks on the historic 140-acre Narra Vineyards site in the Texas High Plains, this low-yielding variety thrives in its unique terroir. A true powerhouse,it boasts hefty, muscular, broad-shouldered tannins, complemented by rich red berry fruits, Indian spices, and a touch of cinnamon. The clean, dry finish underscores its structure and aging potential. This is a wine built for the cellar—lay it down to see its full complexity unfold. A remarkable achievement for Texas viticulture.
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.
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.
