2018 Heiman Barbar Cuvee, Hungary, Wine Review

This is a blend of 35% Cabernet Franc, Porkoláb-völgy, 29% Merlot, Porkoláb-völgy, 25% Tannat, Bati Kereszt, and 11% Kékfrankos, Bati Kereszt. It was brought up in separate lots aged in wood and blended for bottling. Purple in color with ruby at the rim. The nose is nice with black cherries, black olives, tobacco and a bit of chocolate. Full bodied. Medium tannins. Good acidity. On the palate, this has a perception of sweetness but drinks dry. Black cherries, plums and slight spice notes. Nice finish. This has some depth and complexity. It drinks well on its own and will work well with meaty dishes such as goulash. Drink over the next seven to ten years. Tasted at Divino Wine Bar in Budapest.

Grade:

A-

Score:

Vintage:

2018

Current Price:

$25.00USD

2015 Sebestyén Szekszárdi Bikavér, Hungary, Szekszárd, Wine Review

Vintage:

2015

Score:

Grade:

B+

Current Price:

$21.00USD

Bikaver means Bull's Blood and is a red blend dating back at least to the 18th century. The name comes from the comments of the defeated Ottoman soldiers who saw the dark red wines the Hungarians were drinking. Today, they are having a rebirth of sorts. Always a blend, it must contain a minimum of 45% Kékfrankos and 5% Kadarka and no more than 40% of the grapes Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, and Merlot can be used. This one is 47% Kekfrankos, 27% Merlot, 10% Kadarka, 8% Cabernet Franc, 4% Cabernet Sauvignon and 3% Sagrantino. 13% ABV. Ruby in color with purple swirls, mostly opaq

2016 Sauska Villány Cuvée 13, Hungary, Villany, Wine Review

Vintage:

2016

Score:

Grade:

B+

Current Price:

$27.00USD

All of Sauska's blends are named after prime numbers as a testament to their uniqueness. The lower the number, the better the wine. This one is a blend of 45% Cabernet Franc, 34% Cabernet Sauvignon, and 21% Merlot. It is aged 4 months in used French oak and two months is bottle prior to release. Ruby in color with purple swirls, mostly clear and bright. The nose has cherries, tobacco, plums and black pepper. 14% ABV. Medium bodied. On the palate, the cherries come thru along with the black pepper and slight tobacco underneath. Nice balance. Smooth and easy drinking. Mild tannins.

2021 Sauska Villányi Rosé, Hungary, Wine Review

Vintage:

2021

Score:

Grade:

B+

Current Price:

$7.00USD

An inexpensive Rose made from Kékfrankos (Blaufrӓnkisch) with Merlot and Syrah. Tasted atthe High Note Sky Bar in Budapest, Hungary. Light salmon pink in color, clear and bright. The nose has strawberries with slight peach and watermelon. Light bodied. Refreshing on a warm evening. On the palate, flavors of peach and strawberries come thru. Dry. Moderate acidity. Solid finish. The bottle was quickly emptied. This drinks well on its own and worked well with light appetizers. Drink over the next year or two.

2018 Heimann & Fiai Kékfrankos, Hungary, Szekszárdi, Wine Review

Vintage:

2018

Score:

Grade:

B+

Current Price:

$22.00USD

This is 100% Kekfrankos (Blaufrankisch). Ruby in color, purple at the core, mostly opaque and bright. The nose has sour cherries with a note of mint. On the palate, this has chunky tannins. Nice sour cherry fruit with tingling acidity. Nice texture. 12% abv. This drinks like a cru Beaujolais although it may not age quite as well. Good value. This will do better with food. Drink over the next five years. A nice match with stew/Goulash.

2015 Péter Wetzer Kékfrankos Beldles, Hungary, Sopron, Wine Review

Vintage:

2015

Score:

Grade:

A-

Current Price:

$29.00USD

It is hard to track down aged versions of Kekfrankos but finding this (only six years from vintage) gives me hope that the better wines will not only last but develop with some age. Inky purple in color, opaque and bright. The nose is nice with black cherries and sour cherries with some char and a bit of roasted herbs. Very nice texture. Nice depth. Good acidity. On the palate, black cherries and black raspberries with a slight sour cherry notes. Great texture. Long finish. This seems young and would still benefit from three to five more years of cellaring and drink over the next t

2018 Heiman Barbar Cuvee, Hungary, Wine Review

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