Some Wendouree reds from 2023

Image ~ January 13, 2026January 13, 2026 ~ Zoltán Németi ~ Leave a comment

The likelihood of being able to taste wines from legendary producer Wendouree outside Australia is close to zero. But I’m fortunate enough to have a Hungarian-born friend in Sydney who visits Budapest (where I live) every year and as he is a Wendouree-fan, he always brings a few bottles each time. Continue reading →

Cru quality Cotes du Rhone: Saint Cosme 2023

Image ~ October 5, 2024 ~ Zoltán Németi

I bought Saint Cosme wines every year around 2010 and really loved the producer – I even visited them in 2013 which was a great experience. Then I somehow missed many vintages so I was happy to re-visit them again – and what a return! This basic cuvée was always great value but the current vintage is next level. I need to buy more!

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Rhone reds from Lidl

Image ~ April 28, 2024 ~ Zoltán Németi

I’m a big grenache fan and sadly there aren’t many available on the Hungarian market, so I was happy to see new Southern Rhone reds popping up in Lidl recently. I cannot say they impressed me, though.

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Yalumba Shiraz Cabernet Sauvignon 2017

Image ~ January 30, 2024 ~ Zoltán Németi

I’m sure that many wine lovers will rate this Yalumba higher and indeed it has the depth of a serious wine, yet it failed to impress me.

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Yalumba Y Series Shiraz & Viognier 2019

Image ~ October 25, 2023October 25, 2023 ~ Zoltán Németi

When it’s just one detail why a wine does not impress me.

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Penfolds Rawson’s Retreat Shiraz Cabernet 2021

Image ~ July 13, 2023 ~ Zoltán Németi

The cheapest Penfolds wine I think, and it’s usually quite good. I liked the 2019 more, but this 2021 is not far behind…

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Pure pleasure: Ferraton Père & Fils La Tournée Rouge 2020

Image ~ May 30, 2023 ~ Zoltán Németi

Just a €7 syrah-grenache from the Languedoc, but so enjoyable that I’m tempted to call it the wine of the month.

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Great Rhone Cru: Domaine Brusset Les Travers Cairanne 2020

Image ~ May 25, 2023 ~ Zoltán Németi

It’s not the first time when a Brusset red amazes me. A top producer in the Southern Rhone for sure.

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Supermarket wines – Günzer Syrah 2020, Villány

Image ~ January 10, 2023 ~ Zoltán Németi

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.

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New wave Hungarian red: Vylyan Vörös Variáció 2021

Image ~ January 5, 2023 ~ Zoltán Németi

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.

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