Philippe Alliet is one of the big names of Chinon and this is their entry level wine (a cabernet franc, of course). I brought the bottle to a recent blind tasting and it showed very well, everyone loved it and thought that it was impressive. It’s a bit different compared to other Loire cabernet franc I adore, though. Continue reading
Supermarket wines – Günzer Syrah 2020, Villány
The first syrah plantings in Villány date back to the early 2000s if I’m not mistaken, and the variety is still not widespread in the region. Yet there are quite cheap and affordable bottlings around, like this one, available at 5 Euros in Auchan.
Plavac mali for nebbiolo lovers: Milos Plavac 2018
It’s not a long ago that I tasted my first plavac mali, and it’s still an early phase for me with this Croatian grape, but it was love at first sight. A true Mediterranean wine, dark, sunbaked, lower in acidity and heavily tannic, this is my cup of tea. Thanks to my friend Matthew Horkey for this bottle, and also for introducing this grape to me!
New wave Hungarian red: Vylyan Vörös Variáció 2021
Villány is probably still the most famous red wine region in Hungary. It’s not the most innovative, one could add, though. But here is a red which I would label as new wave, and it’s quite nice.
Magnificent Australian shiraz: Tyrrell’s 8 Acres 2018
Tasted at the same event as the Wendouree shiraz, this is another amazing wine from Down Under. I bet this would not look out of class when placed next to the very best syrah from France… Continue reading
The best wine I tasted in 2022: Wendouree Shiraz 2019
Wendouree is one of the hardest wines to get. Unless you live in Australia and you are one of the lucky few who are on the mailing list of this legendary producer. The only reason I tasted their wines during the last decade is that a friend of mine from Sydney brings one or two every year when he is visiting us here in Budapest. But this was the first time for me in 2022 July to taste the shiraz, probably Wendouree’s most highly regarded red. Continue reading
Outstanding blaufrankisch: Kollwentz Leithakalk 2017
An Austrian red to impress. Continue reading
Supermarket wines – Pierre Chanau Macon Red 2019
Some of the everyday wines I recently bought in Auchan weren’t that good (Versant Royal 2019, a Bordeaux Superior, declining, and the Pierre Chanau Cotes du Rhone Vieilles Vignes 2020 too green and raw), but their range is still quite reliable. I enjoyed this Macon, too. Burgundy wines are hardly as cheap as this nowadays, yet it’s far better than just acceptable.
Supermarket wines – Georges Duboeuf Beaujolais Nouveau 2022
The 2020 vintage of the the Georges Duboeuf Beajolais Nouveau was on top of the game, close to the very best nouveaus I have ever tasted. But the 2022 edition is a disappointment. Continue reading
Standout kékfrankos: Takler Szenta-Hegyi 2018
Takler, one of Hungary’s biggest name in red wines has been improving in recent years. Less oak, more freshness and definition. I like the results. Continue reading