The likelihood of being able to taste wines from legendary producer Wendouree outside Australia is close to zero. But I’m fortunate enough to have a Hungarian-born friend in Sydney who visits Budapest (where I live) every year and as he is a Wendouree-fan, he always brings a few bottles each time. Continue reading
Supermarket wines: Tesco Finest Garnacha 2023, Campo de Borja
Quite a reliable wine, the 2023 vintage of Tesco’s Campo de Borja Garnacha is just as solid as the 2021 was. A good quaffer if you are looking for something cheap.
The very unique Kék Bajor 2024 from 1B3 Winery
A great, affordable cabernet franc: Bertrand & Vincent Marchesseau “Ampoule” Chinon 2024
Jadot Couvent des Jacobins Bourgogne 2022
Oliván-Ruiz Custero Rioja 2023
Domaine du Mont Verrier Beaujolais-Villages 2023
Retrospective – a lineup of 2014 Bordeaux reds
My friend András collected a bunch of 2014 reds from Bordeaux many years ago, when they were on the market. It was now time to open them he thought a few weeks ago, so we asked our little wine club if anyone was interested, and let me tell you that I rarely seen such interest from people – we were a bit too many at the end. I cannot understand why Bordeaux is unfashionable on the market as it’s still a favourite of real wine lovers. Me included. And these 2014s were really superb, I loved most of them. My favourites were the Ch. Phelan-Segur, the Ch. Gloria, the Ch. Figeac and the Ch. Chasse-Spleen, all rather medium-bodied and elegant. Continue reading
Highly individual – the 2020 edition of Tihanyi Kék, the ancient Hungarian variety, from Szentesi József
Top bikavér from Szekszárd: Sebestyén Iván 2020
If you ask me, the most dynamic red wine region of Hungary at the moment is Szekszárd. Ahead of others, they moved early from oaky, heavy reds made mostly from Bordeaux varieties to the indigenous kadarka and kékfrankos – and let’s add bikavér to the list, which is based on the former two. Continue reading







