September of 2023 Roundup

It’s almost the end of October, and I’m still catching up with my September wine roundup list. I unexpectedly became swamped with work and travel, making it challenging to put together the list. Looking back, September was a fascinating month. I had the pleasure of trying many wines I truly enjoyed, as well as some that didn’t quite meet my taste preferences. However, the wines I didn’t enjoy tasting were there for educational purposes, helping me explore different varietals.

The first ten wines on this list are from my personal collection, and the ones from numbers 11 to 30 are from my WSET class. You might notice a few questionable choices, but remember, they were part of my educational journey, so please, no judgment.

As always, I’ve marked the most memorable ones in bold and added some comments.

photo 1. not in the right order. (Nos. 7, 1, 3, and 32)

1. 2019 Domaine Glantenay Volnay 1er Cru ‘Les Roncerets’

2. 2015 Alexandre Bonnet Champagne Rosé de Saignée ‘La Forêt’ Les Riceys

I've shared my delightful experience with this wine on my blog. If you would like to read more, just click HERE.

3. 2019 Domaine Lignier-Michelot Morey St. Denis 1er Cru ‘Les Chenevery’

With a powerful and pronounced presentation both on the nose and the palate, this 1er Cru Morey St. Denis was undoubtedly one of the most memorable wines of the month. It offered prominent notes of red cherry and black cherry upfront, complemented by hints of black plum. Sweet spices, such as cinnamon and nutmeg, played a delightful role in the background. The wine had a long finish that lingered on the palate for a while. If I come across a good deal, I wouldn't hesitate to buy it again.

4. 2020 Juggernaut Wine Company Pinot Noir Russian River Valley

5. 2021 Meinklang Mulatschak Weiss Burgenland

6. 2021 Domaine Sylvain Pataille Bourgogne

This entry-level Bourgogne Rouge stood out as distinct from other wines of its kind. It exhibited a light purplish ruby hue, appearing unfiltered and unfined. The bouquet was a delightful medley of raspberry, strawberry, blueberry, black cherry, and blossoms, evoking the impression of a fruit punch. On the palate, I encountered flavors reminiscent of those on the nose, with the addition of red cherry, mountain berry, and a hint of white pepper. Interestingly, it tasted even better when served slightly chilled.

7. 2020 La Porte Saint Jean Saumur ‘Les Pouches’

This wine is a prime representation of Cabernet Franc from Saumur. I was immediately captivated by the fresh and ripe red fruit notes – cranberry, raspberry, strawberry, and red plum – along with a delicate touch of sweet spices, like nutmeg. It offered a rich creaminess with a subtle hint of cedar, and as I took in the aroma, the scent of tomato leaves gradually emerged. In summary, this wine was nothing short of expressive, luscious, and truly meditative.

photo 2. also not in the right order (Nos. 2, 10, and 6)

8. 2020 Hermann J. Wiemer Riesling Dry Reserve Seneca Lake

As one of my favorite winemakers in the Finger Lakes region of New York State, I was eagerly looking forward to trying this wine with steamed crabs. The high acidity, along with the pleasant herbaceous, green apple, and citrus notes, created a harmonious symphony alongside the crabs. This particular cuvée was a blend of 60% Josef, 20% Magdalena, and 20% HJW vineyards. While I’ve previously savored single-vineyard Rieslings from Wiemer (with Magdalena being my favorite), this blend still exhibited a level of complexity that beautifully complemented the delightful meal.

9. 2021 Golan Heights Winery Sauvignon Blanc Yarden Galilee

10. 1965 Fontanafredda Barolo

11. 2020 Bogle Vineyards Merlot

12. 2018 Château Lassègue Saint-Émilion Grand Cru

While 2018 isn’t too far removed from 2023, this wine has already begun to reveal some intriguing changes in color, transitioning into a lovely garnet hue and displaying delightful tertiary notes. As a devoted fan of Merlot, this Saint-Émilion proved to be a highly enjoyable experience. I would consider serving this wine if I were hosting a dinner party for a diverse group of guests, as its well-rounded profile is unlikely to offend anyone’s palate.

13. 2019 Château Peyrabon Cru Bourgeois Supérieur Haut-Médoc

14. 2019 Hess Collection Cabernet Ssauvgnon ‘Allomi’

15. 2019 E. Guigal Crozes-Hermitage

16. 2019 Yalumba Shiraz ‘Samuel’s Collection’

17. 2021 Domaine Bernard Defaix Chablis 1er Cru ‘Fourchaume’

18. 2021 Daniel et Julien Barraud Pouilly-Fuissé 1er Cru ‘Sur la Roche’

19. 2021 J Vineyards Chardonnay

20. 2022 Domaine Gueneau ‘Les Terres Blanches’

21. 2022 Whitehaven Sauvignon Blanc

22. 2022 Granbazan Albariño ‘Etiqueta Verde’

23. NV Barefoot White Zinfandel

While I didn’t particularly enjoy this wine, it’s worth noting that it wasn’t as terrible as I had anticipated. This specific wine holds a significant place in American wine culture, often serving as the entry point for many American palates embarking on their wine journey (not myself though). One experience with this is likely sufficient for three lifetimes.

24. 2021 Pewsey Vale Dry Riesling

25. 2021 Alfred Merkelbach Ürziger Würzgarten Riesling Spätlese

26. 2021 Gabrielskloof Chenin Blanc

27. 2016 Château Doisy-Védrines Sauternes 2ème Grand Cru Classé

With its unctuous texture and a perfect balance of sweetness, featuring honey, apricot, peach, and toasted nuts, complemented by high acidity that truly tantalizes the palate, this wine was a stellar representation of Sauternes wine produced with botrytis (a.k.a. Noble Rot). It was so incredibly exceptional that I found myself tempted to forget about the class and savor it at my own pace. A few weeks later, my enthusiasm for this wine led me to discover that Somm Cellars had a deal on the 2010 Château Rieussec Sauternes. Without hesitation, I placed an order, eager to indulge in the pleasure it offers.

28. 2020 Domaine Cyrot-Buthiau Pommard

29. 2021 J Vineyards Pinot Noir

30. 2021 Bogle Vineyards Zinfandel Old Vine

31. NV Domaine de La Paleine Crémant de Loire

32. 2017 Domaine Coquard Loison-Fleurot Gevrey-Chambertin

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I’ve come across at least six more that are not added to the list from classes, outings, tastings, and other occasions.

The B roll (unedited) + my whereabouts in September