The last wine from the blindtasting covered by previous posts is probably Hungary’s most famous big red: the Kopar from Gere. It was first made in 1997 if not even earlier, so there’s history to it; it’s made to last and I can confirm that it’s able to age for 15 years or more. Personally I often found it a bit too sweet in the past, but the current release is just great.
There’s a lot going on the nose. It’s powerful, intense, the oak is not yet integrated yet it’s not overt. Dark, ripe but lively as well, with nice black cherry aromas. Full-bodied and really concentrated, tight and again, lively – this isn’t a flabby, jammy red. Great, quite firm tannins, structured like a serious left bank Bordeaux. It has focus, depth and balance, a top shelf wine for sure. In its infancy, better to hold for a few years, then it will leave for further 15 years or more. 50% cabernet franc, 40% merlot and 10% cabernet sauvignon. Outstanding, 93 points. Great value at 30 EUR.
Summary of the tasting:
- Gere Kopar 2020, 93 points
- Chateau Larrivet Haut-Brion 2020, 92-93 point
- Sauska Cuvée 7 Siklós 2019 & St. Andrea Merengő 2021, 90 points
- Heimann Barbár 2019, 89 points