2018 Weninger Soproni Kékfrankos Balf, Hungary, Wine Review

This is a biodynamically made Kekfrankos (Blaufrankisch) from one of Hugary's top winemakers of red wines. This is the base version. Ruby in color, clear and bright. The nose has cherries and sour cherries with a bit of hay and a slight green herbal notes. On the palate, this is has a nice texture. Very nice tart cherry fruit over a bit of smoky char with a nice backbone of acidity. Light tannins. Nice finish. Very good value. Drink over the next five years. This will work well with Lecsó (vegetable stew) although carnivores might want to add Hurka & Kolbász (sausages).

Grade:

A-

Score:

Vintage:

2018

Current Price:

$18.00USD

2015 Weninger Soproni Steiner, Hungary, Sopron, Wine Review

Vintage:

2015

Score:

Grade:

A-

Current Price:

$50.00USD

From what is arguably one of the "Grand Cru" sites for red wine in Hungary. This is 100% Kekfrankos that is biodynamically grown. Purple in color with lighter ruby at the edges. Opaque and bright. The nose is earthy, slight barnyard with nice cherry fruit. On the palate, nice sour cherry fruit with medium tannins. Slight cough drop note. Slight forest floor. Long finish. This is complex and deep and also tasty. This seems like it has some upside and will improve over the next three to five years. Drink over the next ten to twelve. Certainly, this will work well with meat dishes

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 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

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

Vintage:

2018

Score:

Grade:

A-

Current Price:

$25.00USD

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 wel

2018 Weninger Soproni Kékfrankos Balf, Hungary, Wine Review

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