Wine Reviews: Mini Round-Up for September 16, 2024

I taste a bunch-o-wine (technical term for more than most people). So each week, I share some of my wine reviews (mostly from samples) and tasting notes in a “mini-review” format.

They are meant to be quirky, fun, and (mostly) easily-digestible reviews of (mostly) currently available wines (click here for the skinny on how to read them), so you can get right to the point and decide if they’re for you (or not). Cheers!

2022 San Felice Chianti Classico (Tuscany): Cherry fruit taking a long, tangy stroll down a freshly-sodded field of herbs. $22 B+
2022 San Felice Bell’Aja Bolgheri (Tuscany): A sexy, polished, plummy, spicy and successful Tuscan Bordeaux impression. $34 A-
2017 Bertinga Toscana (Tuscany): A big and bold Tuscan soul, dressed with a modern flair. $70 A-
2019 Bertinga ‘Sassi Chiusi’ Toscana (Tuscany): Deep and sultry, and yet still retaining an endearingly rustic bramble edge. $35 A-
2023 Kellerei Kaltern ‘Vial’ Pinot Bianco (Alto Adige-Sudtirol): Classic and classy; Floral, citric, and pleasantly structured. $26 B+
2023 Famille Negrel Horizon Rose (IGP Mediterranee): Not a ton happening, but what is happening is all tasty, springy goodness. $NA B
2023 Rose Marie (IGP Méditerranée): Watermelon, peaches, citrus rinds… all very accessible and very easy-going. $NA B
2017 Meadows Estate Grenache (Umpqua Valley): Somewhat on the heavy side, but the sins are forgiven with that earthy red fruit and alluring spiciness. $37 A-
2021 Meadows Estate Viognier (Umpqua Valley): Very ripe pear, delivered via an unctuous, almost oily texture. $27 B+
2017 Teperberg ‘Impression’ Cabernet Sauvignon (Judean Hills): Currants, tomato leaf, dried herbs, earth, cedar… There’s lots going on, and just about all of it has impressive definition. $22 B+