September was an unexpectedly active month. We had four tasting events as part of Barberry Garden instead of the three planned. I visited one tasting event and had to reject joining others because it was becoming too much. After all, wine is just one of my hobbies, and I have to divide my spare time more or less evenly between other activities. While it may sound like complaining, I am happy that so much has happened over these 30 days. And look at the news!

Anyways, out of 100 consumed wines, 90 were rated (for some reason, two wines were rated twice). Since the autumn has kicked in, my choice has shifted towards red wines (who would guess?) - only a third of rated wines are whites. And by the way, fewer sparkling wines (only seven bottles).

::: {#monthly-ratings .chartjs data="monthly-ratings-data" labels="month" values="rates" type="bar" index-axis="y" size-mode="dynamic"} :::

month rates

2021 December 74 2022 January 40 2022 May 29 2022 June 59 2022 July 88 2022 August 77 2022 September 90

Novelties

★ 7.5 Bott Frigyes Juhfark 2019 is my first Juhfark and my first Slovakian wine.
★ 7.5 Caravaglio Occhio di Terra Salina 2019 is my first IGP Salina.
★ 7.5 Lyme Bay Bacchus Block 2018 is my first wine from Devon, England.
★ 7.8 Bret Brothers Pouilly-Loché Climat La Colonge 2018 is my first Pouilly-Loché AOC.
★ 7.7 Le Vieux Télégraphe Châteauneuf du Pape Clos La Roquète 2020 is my first Châteauneuf-du-Pape AOC, and first Clairette and Roussanne.
★ 7.0 Casa Coste Piane Brichet Frizzante ...Naturalmente NV is my first Verdiso.

In terms of novelties, this month was not as fruitful as previous months, but I have lots of curious stuff prepared for the next one. After all, we are going to have a wine tasting dedicated to atypical combinations of grapes and locations.

Favourites

Traditionally, preparing a list of my favourites is a tough task to accomplish. I try to avoid listing wines based solely on my scores (you can do it yourself by sorting the table below). Instead, I try to pick wines that really stood out for me. So this month my favourites are the following bottles.

★ 8.5 Ca' di Mat Fuente de los Huertos 2017 is a sophisticated high-altitude Garnacha that I simply fell in love with. One of my favourite reds of the month.
★ 8.5 Antoniolo Gattinara 2014 is a beautiful and sexy Nebbiolo in a good age for a good price. One of my favourite reds of the month.
★ 8.5 Škerk Ograde 2017 is my favourite orange of the month. I could not resist and took one more bottle to enjoy it later myself.
★ 8.5 Patrick Sullivan Baw Baw Shire Ada River Chardonnay 2018 is my favourite white of the month. Unfortunately, it was hard to get this particular vintage.
★ 8.5 Egly-Ouriet Brut Grand Cru (d2020) NV is my favourite traditional sparkling of the month.
★ 8.0 Le Grappin Fleurie-Poncié 2020 is a Gamay without any buts (no more jokes). A bargain. One of my favourite reds of the month below $20.
★ 7.5 Foradori Lezèr 2020 is my favourite ~~rosé~~ light red wine of the month. Pure enjoyment.

And these are honourable mentions.

★ 8.0 Clos du Tue-Boeuf Rouillon Cheverny 2020 is an incredible blend of Pinot Noir and Gamay by skilful brothers. 2nd place on Mixed Bag Vol. 3.
★ 8.0 Gentle Folk Little Creek Pinot Noir 2020 is a wine you should try to stop being a snobbish sceptic when it comes to Australian wines.
★ 8.0 Domaine Rossignol-Trapet Savigny-Les-Beaune Les Bas Liards 2019 is a wine that managed to receive high scores in an Opaque Tasting Vol. 1. By the way, one of my favourite producers.
★ 8.0 Tomislav Marković Quo Vadis 2019 is an atypical Riesling with prevalent secondary aromas. A must try in my opinion.
★ 8.5 Sous Le Végétal Palli et Genesia 2018 it could be the outcast, it could be the favourite. It's so controversial that I decided to mention it in this list. Personally, I like this style - whites under flor. Neat.

Outcasts

It's not going to be a long list as this month was flooded with good wines.

★ 6.0 Costadilà 450 slm NV together with other new releases by Costadilà. Not as fun as previous releases.
★ 7.0 2Naturkinder Spätburgunder 2017 is a wine that I like to think about more than I like to drink. IMO they can do better.

Countries

Every month my top 3 rated countries stay the same. The only thing that changes is the order. So I am more interested in the countries that come below. This time the first one is Hungary (ouch!), with an average score of ★ 7.37. Then goes Germany with a ★ 7.97 average score, which is one of the highest country-based scores this month. Well, Wasenhaus and Tomislav Marković, it's your merit.

I am happy to see Moldova, England and Slovakia on this list. And I am also happy to see more wines from New Zealand. Great.

::: {#countries .chartjs data="countries-data" labels="country" values="count" type="bar"} :::

country count p avg r rms qpr

France 20 1 154.46 UAH 7.75 11.4156 Italy 20 898.06 UAH 7.70 29.4920 Spain 13 739.66 UAH 7.89 78.2407 Hungary 7 779.06 UAH 7.37 2.0517 Australia 5 973.76 UAH 7.82 25.9876 New Zealand 5 626.51 UAH 7.50 2.9751 Germany 5 1 279.89 UAH 7.97 32.8116 Argentina 4 759.62 UAH 7.57 3.4741 South Africa 4 454.69 UAH 6.87 3.0781 Moldova 2 835.00 UAH 7.63 2.9195 Greece 2 1 075.00 UAH 8.02 64.0344 Slovenia 1 1 065.61 UAH 8.50 86.5065 England 1 819.00 UAH 7.50 1.4185 Slovakia 1 846.48 UAH 7.50 1.3724

Vintages

This month the oldest vintage is 2010. It's sad to see 2012 missing. I would have rated wines from all vintages starting with 2010. According to my notes, 2018 and 2017 are the best vintages, with average scores of ★ 7.85 and ★ 7.84, respectively.

::: {#vintages .chartjs width="400" height="120" data="vintages-data" labels="vintage" values="count" type="bar"} :::

vintage count p avg r rms qpr

2021 4 621.29 UAH 7.39 1.8699 2020 16 782.68 UAH 7.46 5.8527 2019 22 779.79 UAH 7.55 5.4977 2018 15 942.98 UAH 7.85 33.5510 2017 15 895.42 UAH 7.84 41.2750 2016 2 899.35 UAH 8.02 56.9566 2015 1 1 065.61 UAH 8.50 86.5065 2014 3 1 243.25 UAH 8.09 37.6651 2013 2 1 219.86 UAH 8.32 173.9490 2011 2 701.16 UAH 7.75 4.6294 2010 1 2 590.00 UAH 7.75 1.2533 NV 7 1 241.37 UAH 7.61 15.8138

Grapes

I am getting less festive in terms of grapes. This time only 63 grapes are on the list. Yet there are novelties: Juhfark, Roussanne, Clairette and Verdiso. Four new grapes? Well, it's still something.

Besides novelties, I am happy to see some other rather rare grapes. Like Trousseau, Mencía, Palomino Fino, Garnacha Blanca, Moscato Giallo, Muscat de Samos, Teroldego, Vitovska, Sousón, and some others.

And quite expectable, with the fall in white wine consumption, Chardonnay, at last, has dropped from the second position.

::: {#grapes .chartjs width="100" height="140" data="grapes-data" labels="grape" values="count" type="bar" index-axis="y" size-mode="dynamic"} :::

grape count p avg r rms qpr

Pinot Noir 21 1 080.95 UAH 7.79 18.7046 Grenache 7 663.63 UAH 7.52 42.1788 Chardonnay 5 1 425.40 UAH 8.07 30.9784 Gamay 5 776.08 UAH 7.56 8.6189 Merlot 4 1 208.86 UAH 7.76 4.0935 Pinot Gris 4 1 108.87 UAH 8.07 40.7917 Trousseau 4 758.20 UAH 7.70 9.1338 Glera 4 602.40 UAH 7.03 1.4508 Sauvignon Blanc 3 967.02 UAH 7.86 45.6185 Tempranillo 3 475.46 UAH 7.43 1.9749 Nerello Mascalese 3 1 197.57 UAH 7.90 46.5105 Cabernet Sauvignon 3 1 475.00 UAH 7.19 0.8881 Blauer Portugieser 3 468.55 UAH 7.35 0.9273 Syrah 2 692.00 UAH 7.38 1.3247 Pinotage 2 418.73 UAH 6.72 4.1471 Cariñena 2 949.15 UAH 7.75 5.4118 Riesling 2 923.62 UAH 7.88 7.6279 Tintilia 2 546.19 UAH 7.45 1.7679 Graciano 2 546.19 UAH 7.45 1.7679 Malvasia di Candia Aromatica 2 1 086.64 UAH 8.02 55.5626 Sangiovese 2 871.56 UAH 7.90 8.1694 Alicante Henri Bouschet 2 892.42 UAH 8.25 57.8971 Mencía 2 542.56 UAH 7.75 10.6304 Blaufrankisch 2 920.20 UAH 7.45 1.2625 Nerello Cappuccio 1 1 144.71 UAH 8.50 80.5292 Muscat de Samos 1 1 018.00 UAH 8.50 90.5525 Moscato Giallo 1 615.27 UAH 7.50 1.8882 Pinot Meunier 1 2 042.00 UAH 8.25 14.1601 Teroldego 1 593.00 UAH 7.50 1.9591 Roussanne 1 1 282.00 UAH 7.75 2.5319 Clairette Blanche 1 1 282.00 UAH 7.75 2.5319 Garnacha Blanca 1 1 282.00 UAH 7.75 2.5319 Cabernet Franc 1 506.17 UAH 7.50 2.2951 Cinsault 1 553.45 UAH 7.75 5.8649 Barbera 1 629.00 UAH 7.50 1.8469 Vitovska 1 1 173.27 UAH 8.50 78.5688 Verdicchio 1 610.33 UAH 6.00 0.0101 Savagnin 1 726.00 UAH 7.00 0.2339 Sousón 1 675.00 UAH 7.75 4.8088 Brancellao 1 675.00 UAH 7.75 4.8088 Caíño Longo 1 675.00 UAH 7.75 4.8088 Albariño 1 1 163.00 UAH 8.50 79.2626 Ribolla Gialla 1 1 065.61 UAH 8.50 86.5065 Grillo 1 621.56 UAH 8.00 15.2475 Bacchus 1 819.00 UAH 7.50 1.4185 Perricone 1 627.00 UAH 7.40 1.2436 Colorino 1 900.00 UAH 8.00 10.5302 Canaiolo 1 900.00 UAH 8.00 10.5302 Pinot Blanc 1 737.20 UAH 8.00 12.8557 Caiño 1 640.12 UAH 8.00 14.8053 Mouratón 1 640.12 UAH 8.00 14.8053 Torrontés 1 616.00 UAH 7.50 1.8859 Godello 1 616.00 UAH 7.50 1.8859 Treixadura 1 616.00 UAH 7.50 1.8859 Verdiso 1 653.00 UAH 7.00 0.2600 Palomino Fino 1 1 596.61 UAH 8.80 245.9551 Garganega 1 785.88 UAH 7.80 5.0994 Zibibbo 1 1 141.00 UAH 8.00 8.3061 Assyrtiko 1 1 132.00 UAH 7.50 1.0263 Juhfark 1 846.48 UAH 7.50 1.3724 Nebbiolo 1 1 469.19 UAH 8.50 62.7438 Nero di Troia 1 548.79 UAH 7.25 0.7917

All ratings

date country producer name vintage rate QPR

2022-09-30 Spain 2022-09-30 Germany 2022-09-30 France 2022-09-28 New Zealand 2022-09-27 Italy 2022-09-27 France 2022-09-27 Spain 2022-09-27 Australia 2022-09-27 Greece 2022-09-27 Germany 2022-09-27 Italy 2022-09-26 Australia 2022-09-25 New Zealand 2022-09-24 France 2022-09-24 Australia 2022-09-24 Argentina 2022-09-24 Italy 2022-09-23 France 2022-09-23 Australia 2022-09-22 Argentina 2022-09-22 New Zealand 2022-09-22 Italy 2022-09-22 Spain 2022-09-21 France 2022-09-21 France 2022-09-21 France 2022-09-20 France 2022-09-20 France 2022-09-20 South Africa 2022-09-20 France 2022-09-20 France 2022-09-18 South Africa 2022-09-18 New Zealand 2022-09-18 Argentina 2022-09-18 South Africa 2022-09-17 Argentina 2022-09-16 South Africa 2022-09-16 Moldova 2022-09-16 Italy 2022-09-15 France 2022-09-15 Italy 2022-09-15 Italy 2022-09-15 France 2022-09-15 Italy 2022-09-15 France 2022-09-15 Australia 2022-09-15 France 2022-09-15 Germany 2022-09-14 Spain 2022-09-14 Spain 2022-09-13 Spain 2022-09-13 Slovenia 2022-09-13 Italy 2022-09-13 France 2022-09-13 Germany 2022-09-13 Spain 2022-09-13 Italy 2022-09-13 England 2022-09-13 France 2022-09-12 New Zealand 2022-09-12 France 2022-09-12 Italy 2022-09-11 Italy 2022-09-10 Spain 2022-09-10 Spain 2022-09-09 Spain 2022-09-09 Moldova 2022-09-08 Italy 2022-09-08 Italy 2022-09-06 France 2022-09-06 Hungary 2022-09-06 Spain 2022-09-06 Spain 2022-09-06 Italy 2022-09-06 France 2022-09-02 Spain 2022-09-02 Italy 2022-09-02 Italy 2022-09-02 Italy 2022-09-02 Greece 2022-09-02 Slovakia 2022-09-02 Italy 2022-09-02 Germany 2022-09-02 Hungary 2022-09-02 Hungary 2022-09-02 Hungary 2022-09-02 Hungary 2022-09-02 Hungary 2022-09-02 Hungary 2022-09-02 Italy R. López de Heredia R. López de Heredia Viña Cubillo Crianza 2014 2014 7.50 1.8336 2Naturkinder 2Naturkinder Spätburgunder 2017 2017 7.00 0.1821 Le Grappin Le Grappin Fleurie-Poncié 2020 2020 8.00 14.8009 Spy Valley Spy Valley Satellite Pinot Noir 2020 2020 7.00 0.3583 Vino di Anna Vino di Anna Qvevri 'Don Alfio' 2016 2016 8.50 80.5292 Jean Grivot Jean Grivot Bourgogne Pinot Noir 2017 2017 8.00 6.4876 Fedellos do Couto Fedellos do Couto Bastarda 2017 2017 8.00 9.5567 Patrick Sullivan Patrick Sullivan Baw Baw Shire Ada River Chardonnay 2018 2018 8.50 56.9027 Sous Le Végétal Sous Le Végétal Palli et Genesia 2018 2018 8.50 90.5525 Tomislav Marković Tomislav Marković Quo Vadis 2019 2019 8.00 10.1905 Costadilà Costadilà Mòz NV NV 7.50 1.8882 Gentle Folk Gentle Folk Little Creek Pinot Noir 2020 2020 8.00 7.9842 Clos Henri Clos Henri Petit Clos Pinot Noir 2018 2018 7.75 4.4465 Francoise Bedel Francoise Bedel Origin'elle (2017) NV NV 8.25 14.1601 Two Hands Two Hands Gnarly Dudes 2020 2020 7.25 0.5952 Weinert Weinert Merlot 2011 2011 7.75 4.6294 Adriano Adami Adriano Adami Bosco di Gica NV NV 7.50 2.1878 Jean Foillard Jean Foillard Morgon Classique 2019 2019 7.25 0.6146 Nugan Estate Nugan Estate Third Generation Chardonnay 2018 2018 7.25 2.1834 Bodega Chacra Bodega Chacra Barda Pinot Noir 2020 2020 7.25 0.3845 Clos Henri Clos Henri Bel Echo River Stones Pinot Noir 2017 2017 7.75 3.9344 Foradori Foradori Lezèr 2020 2020 7.50 1.9591 Cuevas de Arom Cuevas de Arom Pedra Forca Garnacha & Syrah 2016 2016 7.50 1.7763 Egly-Ouriet Egly-Ouriet Brut Grand Cru (d2020) NV NV 8.50 34.7858 Domaine Fournier Père et Fils Domaine Fournier Père et Fils Sauvignon Blanc F de Fournier 2020 2020 7.00 0.2854 Anne et J.F. Ganevat Anne et J.F. Ganevat Le Jaja du Fred 2019 2019 7.50 1.1224 Pierre Frick Pierre Frick Pinoit Gris Macération Pur Vin 2019 2019 7.50 1.2937 Le Vieux Télégraphe Le Vieux Télégraphe Châteauneuf du Pape Clos La Roquète 2020 2020 7.75 2.5319 Testalonga Testalonga Baby Bandito Follow Your Dreams 2021 2021 7.50 1.8699 Bret Brothers Bret Brothers Pouilly-Loché Climat La Colonge 2018 2018 7.80 3.7454 Domaine Rossignol-Trapet Domaine Rossignol-Trapet Savigny-Les-Beaune Les Bas Liards 2019 2019 8.00 9.7103 Boekenhoutskloof Boekenhoutskloof Porcupine Ridge Cabernet Sauvignon 2019 2019 6.50 0.0822 Spy Valley Spy Valley Pinot Noir 2017 2017 7.50 2.0633 Weinert Weinert Merlot 2011 2011 7.75 4.6294 Spier Wines Spier Wines Pinotage Signature 2020 2020 5.50 0.0054 Bodega Catena Zapata Bodega Catena Zapata Appellation San Carlos Cabernet Franc 2019 2019 7.50 2.2951 Ashbourne Ashbourne Pinotage Cinsault 2019 2019 7.75 5.8649 Et Cetera Et Cetera Pinot Noir 2018 2018 7.75 3.8873 Lo Zoccolaio Lo Zoccolaio Suculé Barbera d'Alba Superiore 2019 2019 7.50 1.8469 JM Dreyer JM Dreyer Anigma Pinot Noir 2020 2020 7.75 3.5946 Pruneto Pruneto Chianti Classico 2013 2013 7.80 4.7533 Škerk Škerk Ograde 2017 2017 8.50 78.5688 Marguet Marguet Shaman 17 Grand Cru NV NV 8.25 18.2083 Costadilà Costadilà 450 slm NV NV 6.00 0.0101 Patrice Beguet Patrice Beguet Go Together Red 2019 2019 7.00 0.2339 Gentle Folk Gentle Folk Summertown blanc 2019 2019 8.00 8.3663 Matassa Matassa Rouge 2019 2019 8.00 7.4215 Rita & Rudolf Trossen Rita & Rudolf Trossen Schieferstern Purus Riesling trocken 2018 2018 7.75 3.5388 Cume do Avia Cume do Avia Colleita #7 Tinto 2019 2019 7.75 4.8088 Bodegas Olarra Bodegas Olarra Cerro Añon Reserva 2018 2018 7.40 1.6996 Rodrigo Méndez Rodrigo Méndez Sálvora 2017 2017 8.50 79.2626 Kmetija Štekar Kmetija Štekar Rebula Prilo 2015 2015 8.50 86.5065 Foradori Foradori Fuoripista Pinot Grigio 2014 2014 8.25 17.7719 Clos du Tue-Boeuf Clos du Tue-Boeuf Cheverny Rouillon 2020 2020 8.00 12.2748 Tomislav Marković Tomislav Marković Parabole 2018 2018 8.50 54.8052 Ca' di Mat Ca' di Mat Fuente de los Huertos 2017 2017 8.50 110.3234 Marco De Bartoli Marco De Bartoli Vignaverde 2019 2019 8.00 15.2475 Lyme Bay Lyme Bay Bacchus Block 2018 2018 7.50 1.4185 Domaine de La Borde Domaine de La Borde Pinot Noir Sous la Roche 2018 2018 8.00 9.9675 Saint Clair Saint Clair Origin Pinot Noir Marlborough 2019 2019 7.50 2.1492 Baron de Brane Baron de Brane Margaux 2010 2010 7.75 1.2533 Caravaglio Caravaglio Occhio di Terra Salina 2019 2019 7.50 1.1617 Tasca Tasca Tenuta Tascante Ghiaia Nera 2017 2017 7.40 1.0452 Raúl Pérez Raúl Pérez La Clave 2018 2018 7.50 2.6106 Ca' di Mat Ca' di Mat Andrinal 2017 2017 8.00 16.5603 Els Vinyerons Els Vinyerons Saltamartí 2020 2020 7.40 2.3346 Et Cetera Et Cetera Pinot Noir 2018 2018 7.50 1.3913 Tasca Tasca Tenuta Regaleali Perricone Guarnaccio 2018 2018 7.40 1.2436 Montevertine Montevertine Pian del Ciampolo 2017 2017 8.00 10.5302 Pierre Frick Pierre Frick Cremant d'Alsace 2017 2017 8.00 12.8557 Hummel Hummel Villányi Portugieser 2020 2020 7.25 0.9273 Fedellos do Couto Fedellos do Couto Lomba dos Ares 2017 2017 8.00 14.8053 Cume do Avia Cume do Avia Arraiano Tinto 2019 2019 7.50 1.8859 Casa Coste Piane Casa Coste Piane Brichet Frizzante ...Naturalmente NV NV 7.00 0.2600 Planères Planères Grenache 2017 2017 6.50 0.1566 Victoria E. Torres Pecis Victoria E. Torres Pecis Vino de Solera de Listán Blanco 2013 2013 8.80 245.9551 Filippi Filippi Soave Colli Scaligeri Castelcerino 2019 2019 7.80 5.0994 Frank Cornelissen Frank Cornelissen Munjebel VA 2017 2017 7.75 1.9071 Marco De Bartoli Marco De Bartoli Pietra Nera 2020 2020 8.00 8.3061 Domaine Sigalas Domaine Sigalas Santorini 2020 2020 7.50 1.0263 Bott Frigyes Bott Frigyes Juhfark 2019 2019 7.50 1.3724 Antoniolo Antoniolo Gattinara 2014 2014 8.50 62.7438 Wasenhaus Wasenhaus Vulkan 2018 2018 8.50 47.5708 Hummel Hummel Schiller Fercsy 2021 2021 7.40
Hummel Hummel Pinot Noir 2020 2020 7.75 3.7875 Bencze Bencze Atlas 2019 2019 7.00 0.1951 Hummel Hummel Csury 2021 2021 7.25
Hummel Hummel Resi 2019 2019 7.50 1.2625 Hummel Hummel Villányi Portugieser 2021 2021 7.40
Valentina Passalacqua Valentina Passalacqua Sintonia 2019 2019 7.25 0.7917

Final words

September was crazy. As much as I would love to organise more wine tasting events to meet demand, four events in one month are too much for me. At least in the current format. I want to maintain quality and provide all that extra that usually comes with my events. So in the next month, I plan only two events - one dedicated to atypical combinations of grapes and locations and one - to wines of Spain.

Safe travels!