Unusually well made low budget Hungarian red. It comes from Kunság, which is part of the Alföld (Great Hungarian Plain), where the bulk of the cheap wines of the country is made. But here quality comes to mind, not quantity. Continue reading
Just a bit different – Bodegas El Grano Carmenere, Chile, Vallée de Curico
Such a nice wine. Unmistakably Chilean, but tastes unforced – a nod to the Old World. Continue reading
Stranger – an unusual Pinot Noir from Villány
There is not much Pinot Noir in Villány (the Hungarian Barossa Valley, home to the country’s most famous, ripest, biggest reds, made from Bordeaux varietals), but then Rácz Miklós Tamás is neither an ordinary local producer. A young gun, one of the most talented if you ask me. This wine sees no oak at all. Purity is the word here. Spicy, rather than fruity, though you get some strawberry and hibiscus aromas – it’s definitely in the red spectrum. Medium bodied, tight, almost Nebbiolo-like. Lots of personality here, so different from it’s local peers. Needs some time, though, it’s a bit unresolved now. 87 points, good value at 10 Euros, retailer are Borfalu Bortéka and Zwack.
Two Languedoc reds from Borie de Maurel
Mourvedre is one of my favorite grapes, and I have fond memories of the wine Borie de Maurel made from it in 2010. That was one of the best examples I tried outside Bandol. Current vintage seems to be the 2015, which I was able to order from an online shop (which delivers to Hungary, but many merchants in France do these days), and I just added one of their less expensive cuvées as well. Continue reading
Yalumba The Virgilius 2015, Eden Valley, Australia
Tasted blind, you probably wouldn’t pick this as a New World wine. Reminiscent to a Condrieu, the main feature here is elegance and proper varietal character. Crisp, perfectly clear, yet feels unforced and natural. Tangerine and ginger on the nose and palate, it’s maybe less aromatic than the French siblings. Moderate acidity and a slightly oily texture, just how it should be – not ruined by added acid. It has class, drinks well – I just hoped a bit more complexity from this famous wine.
Rotem & Mounir Saouma Inopia 2015, Cotes du Rhone Villages
The promise of something different from the Southern Rhone. No, not another low sulphur wine; that’s not even different anymore (but rather fashionable). Here we have a wine made with ancient methods, by a producer with a Burgundy background.
Tokaj Montium Barna-dűlő Furmint 2015, Tokaj, Hungary
A single vineyard dry Furmint from newcomer Tokaj producer Montium, and the first commercially available vintage if I’m not mistaken. It was shining after release, I remember it winning one of our blind tasting at that time (as one of the least expensive white of the lineup) – but the glory days have passed too quickly. Continue reading
Alheit Cartology 2014, Western Cape, South Africa
My third or fourth bottle of this famous wine, and just as good as previous ones. Seemingly no signs of the passing years, though the style is a bit oxidative (that’s true for all Alheit wines, at least in my experience) so arguably it’s more difficult to tell. I would prefer more freshness actually but how could I deny the quality here.
Ashbourne Pinotage / Cinsault 2017, Swartland
Not your usual South-African red wine, lot’s of interest here. Crisp, fresh character, a sign of a cool(ish) climate – there is something Blaufrankisch- or Barbera-like in it. Juicy, light in tannins, easy to drink, though a bit sweet & sour to taste and a tad hot in the finish. My only concern is the dreaded burnt rubber aroma, which marks it so heavily that I’m afraid it’s a dealbreaker for most consumers.
Rating: 75 points
Price: 20 Euros
Source: I bought it at wein-deko.de
Losonci Pinot Noir 2017, Mátra, Hungary
Raised in stainless steel tanks, released early, this is a charming wine from one of Hungary’s pioneer winemakers of the modern era, Bálint Losonci. Continue reading