90+
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.
Chateau Larrivet Haut-Brion 2020
I wanted to put a great Bordeaux into our Hungarian flagship line-up (see previous three posts), for reference and also for fun. Tasted blind I found it a bit Italianesque with its power and warm, Southern character – thought it was from Villány. It came out at second place for me. As a compliment to the Hungarian ones, they were in the same league, at least when it comes to concentration and complexity.
Hungarian flagship reds II.: Sauska Cuvée 7 Siklós, 2019
Next in the big red lineup I mentioned last time was the Sauska 7 Siklós, a Bordeaux blend from Villány. Compared to the Merengő, it comes from a warmer region and there is no kékfrankos included in it, yet the wine is not that dissimilar.
Standout kadarka: Bock BV 2020
Four dry furmints from Hungary
Outstanding blaufrankisch: Dorli Muhr Prellenkirchen Samt&Seide 2021

I’m not a fan of the 2021 vintage in Hungary, but interestingly it’s a completely different story for Dorli Muhr, just outside the country border. Its her best so far I was told, and when she presented a mini-vertical of her Prellenkirchen Samt&Seide a year ago in Budapest, it was indeed the 2021 which impressed me the most. Continue reading
My favourite wines: Tyrrell’s Semillon 2023
Hunter Valley semillon is a unique white wine style (although Australian riesling is similarly built one could argue) and while not widely available in Europe, it’s really worth seeking out. Start with this one from Tyrrell’s – it’s one of my favourite whites consumed in the last few months. Continue reading
Outstanding Beaujolais Cru: Chateau Grange Cochard Morgon Vieilles Vignes 2015
Two rieslings from Luxembourg: Schmit-Fohl and Kohll-Leuck
Here we have two rieslings from Luxembourg, from two producers. Kohll-Leuck makes outstanding pinot gris (the Rousemen is one of the very best examples of the variety I have ever tasted), so my expectations were quite high towards their riesling, but the winner is Schmit-Fohl this time – a name new to me.