Supermarket wines: Chateau Teleki Villányi Franc 2017

Image ~ January 20, 2023 ~ Zoltán Németi

Such a classic Hungarian red. Widely distributed in the country, you can find it in many supermarkets, and I remember tasting it from the early 2000s. But I’m quite sure it was already made in 1997 – that would not be long history in France, but it is in Hungary.

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Solid Loire red: Domaine Philippe Alliet Chinon 2020

Image ~ January 13, 2023January 13, 2023 ~ Zoltán Németi

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 →

Carbonic cabernet franc – the nouveau red Bujdosó Libás 2022

Image ~ December 15, 2022 ~ Zoltán Németi

Very few red wines are made in Hungary with carbonic maceration, the only well-known one is Vylyan’s Bogyólé. I’m a fan of such wines (just like of Beaujolais crus, which is kinda geeky stuff), I don’t think that they are junk or suitable only for beginners. Not at all. So I’m happy to see the category growing, and here is another good one, a cabernet franc from the southern bank of Lake Balaton. Continue reading →

My favourite wines – Domaine Damien Bruneau Traditionnelle Rouge 2021

Image ~ November 2, 2022 ~ Zoltán Németi

Another Loire cabernet franc and another amazing affordable wine. This is just perfect for what it is, pure and terroir driven. Give me more!

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My favourite wines – Bertrand & Vincent Marchesseau Poids Plume Bourgueil 2021

Image ~ October 17, 2022 ~ Zoltán Németi

When it’s well made, there is nothing I love more than Loire Valley cabernet franc. This is a great example, I enjoyed it to the last drop.

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A carbonic maceration cabernet franc – Domaine Breton La Dilettante 2020

Image ~ July 6, 2022July 6, 2022 ~ Zoltán Németi

I rarely buy low SO2 wines anymore as there’s a lot I don’t like about this wine trend, but La Dilettante amazed me ten years ago so I wanted to give it a try. Well, I’m not the same wine lover as back then…

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Better drink in its youth – Domaine Des Roches Neuves 2016, Saumur Champigny

Image ~ December 14, 2020December 14, 2020 ~ Zoltán Németi

At what age does a mid-range Loire Cabernet Franc tastes the best? A more adequate question is perhaps: if great on release, will such a wine offer that enjoyment later or dumb phases are expected, like in the case of Southern Rhone reds?

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Exemplary Loire Cabernet Franc: Domaine Olivier Cuvée de L’aloulette Bourgueil 2018

Image ~ May 4, 2020May 4, 2020 ~ Zoltán Németi

I simply can’t get bored of Loire Valley Cabernet Franc, given that it’s well made. My experience from recent years is that the cheaper it is the better made. It rarely disappoints under 12 Euros, but the more expensive ones… I actually stopped buying them.

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Serious South African Cabernet Franc: Van Loggerenberg Breton 2018

Image ~ January 8, 2020January 8, 2020 ~ Zoltán Németi

The other New World wine from the Cabernet Franc blind tasting, and the other outstanding one. All the tasters loved it.

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Exciting Chilean red wine: Garage Wine Co. Las Higueras Cabernet Franc Lot #82 2016

Image ~ January 7, 2020January 15, 2020 ~ Zoltán Németi

The winner of a recent Cabernet Franc blind tasting, on which event I presented mostly Loire wines to my friends. The French performance was a disaster, featuring mostly poorly made wines (Brett, Brett, Brett). The Garage Wine Co. Las Higueras Lot #82 2016 not only won the show, but it’s easily the best and most exciting Chilean red wine I tasted in recent years.

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