September always feels like a funny in-between month. It’s not quite summer anymore, but it’s not full-on autumn either, especially this year. For me, that means my wine choices start to shift too—still fresh enough for warm evenings, but with a bit more depth to match those cooler nights creeping in.
This past month, I tried plenty of wines, but three of them really stuck with me. They were the ones I kept thinking about, the ones I’d happily open again tomorrow, and the ones I’d tell a friend, “You need to try this.”
Without further ado: here are my top wines of September, plus a bit of backstory for each.
Cseri Pince “VII. Septimus” 2023 (Pannonhalma, Hungary)
100% Riesling (Rajnai Rizling), late harvest / botrytised influence
Why this one stands out
This wine is one of those rare beasts: a Riesling harvested from partly shriveled grapes with some noble rot, giving it extra layers of complexity. You see beautiful tears on the glass rim. What I love is how it balances power and finesse — strong petrol notes, overripe apple, dried pear, quince, and peppery spices all in the mix. High acidity, a long finish, and spices that linger.
A few technical bits I found
- The winery practices gentle processing and uses barrel ageing.
- The “VII. Septimus” line is part of Cseri’s Rajnai (Riesling) series, with grapes harvested late, sometimes with raisined berries.
- There’s mention of slow barrel fermentation and a year (12 months) of fine lees ageing.
Seidl am Dach “Ried Schatzberg” Grüner Veltliner Weinviertel DAC 2024 (Weinviertel, Austria)
100% Grüner Veltliner — dry, elegant & peppery
Why this one earned a spot
This wine reminded me exactly why I love Grüner Veltliner. Golden hue with a touch of silver, medium-plus viscosity, and a nose that just invites you in: lemon peel, white peach, ripe pear, ginger, honeysuckle, white pepper. On the palate, it’s all about balance — crisp acidity meets velvety texture, citrus and green apple flavors intertwined with ginger and pepper. And that finish? Long and refreshing.
Technical / context notes
- Region & Status: Weinviertel DAC (Districtus Austriae Controllatus).
- Vineyard: Schatzberg, with 35-year-old vines on a south-facing slope. Older vines = naturally lower yields, but concentrated, dense grapes.
- Vinification: Stainless steel (Edelstahltank) for freshness.
- Fun fact: Seidl am Dach describe it as “Gold from Austria’s favourite grape”. It’s got that trademark Weinviertler Pfefferl (peppery note), plus balanced acidity and expressive fruit.
Argentiera “Villa Donoratico” Bolgheri Rosso DOC 2021 (Tuscany, Italy)
Blend: Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, Merlot, Petit Verdot
Why this one hits
This was the red I couldn’t stop thinking about. It’s ripe, it’s bold, but it doesn’t feel heavy. You get red fruits (cherries, blueberry, plums), spices (cinnamon, pepper), and it remains balanced: alcohol integrated, a long fruity finish. It has structure, but it doesn’t shout.
Tech / vineyard notes
- The estate spans some 75 hectares, about 60 planted with vines.
- The blend percentages (2021 vintage) are roughly: 45% Cabernet Sauvignon, 30% Merlot, 15% Cabernet Franc, and 10% Petit Verdot.
- Grapes were hand-picked; vinified separately in stainless steel, malolactic in French oak barrels, and aged 12 months in barrels plus10 months in bottle before release.
- Critics love it: 94 points from James Suckling, and similar praise from others.
Wrapping It Up
There it is — my September hall of fame in wine form.
- Cseri Septimus 2020 for bold complexity in a Riesling body
- Seidl am Dach Grüner Veltliner 2024 for elegance, spice, and balance
- Argentiera Villa Donoratico 2021 for a rich, harmonious red with finesse
Each one brought something different to the table, but all of them made me want to reach for another glass.
Now it’s your turn: which bottles shone for you in September?
The Author
