323 wines were judged at the 55th edition of the Villány regional wine contest. The Champion is Bock Capella 2012 with the highest scores (96.3 pts) and 9 more wines received Grand Gold medal (see below). Koch Villányi Franc 2021was selected The Best Villányi Franc while The Best Kadarka award went to Sauska Kadarka 2020. See all the special prize winners below.

Bock Capella 2012

A flagship wine of the winery made only in outstanding vintages. A blend of Cabernet Franc (60%) and Merlot (10%) from Ördögárok vineyard and Cabernet Sauvignon (30%) selected from Jammertál vineyard. Aged in new oak barrels for 24 months. A full-bodied, concentrated wine with an extraordinary richness of aroma and depth of taste. Characterized by deep intensity, blackish colour. In addition to overripe fruits, tobacco and milk chocolate appear. Apart from dried fruits, chocolate is the dominant flavour.
Retail price is around 22 000 HUF / 55 EUR.
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Koch Vin Art Villányi Cabernet Franc 2021

This wine is made of selected bunches, only in exceptional vintages. It was aged in new barrique and the bottle ageing is also important at the estate. Complex, elegant, full bodied, but also vibrant, lively. Spicy nose, crispy acidity, velvety texture, integrated tannins. Forest fruits and plum on the palate. Great balance.
Retail price is around 8000 HUF / 20 EUR.

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Sauska Kadarka 2020

After thorough selection of the clusters, the grapes were de-stemmed and after a couple of hours of pre-fermentative cold soak, the fermentation started. Fermentation happened both in stainless steel tanks and in oak barrels. After 30 days of skin contact, the wine was gently pressed. Aged for 10 months in 500-liter barrels (30% new).
Medium ruby. Crunchy sour cherry and fresh red currant on the nose next to the variety’s classic intense spiciness of Sichuan pepper and cinnamon with a touch of smokiness coming from the barrel ageing. Refreshingly medium bodied wine with flavours of red plum, hibiscus with a light touch of oak. This is a richer style of an otherwise light variety.
Retail price is around 5000 HUF / 13 EUR.

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All the Grand Gold winners

Bock Capella 2012
Koch Csanád Cuvée 2021
Koch Csanád Cuvée 2017
Lieber Krisztina Krisztina Cuvée 2020
Koch Villányi Franc 2021
Sauska Villányi Franc 2019
Mokos Portugieser 2023
Koch Csaba Villányi Merlot 2020
Streit-Zágonyi The Union 2018
Bock Cuvée 2017

All the Special Prize (Best…) winners

Best Villányi Franc: Koch Villányi Franc 2021
Best Cabernet Sauvignon: Koch Cabernet Sauvignon 2017
Best Merlot: Günzer Tamás Merlot 2021
Best Portugieser: Mokos Portugieser 2023
Best Kékfrankos: Streit Zágonyi Kékfrankos 2023
Best Rosé: Riczu Tamás Rozé 2023
Best Irsai Olivér: Szende Gábor Irsai Olivér 2023
Best Red Blend: Lieber Krisztina Krisztina Cuvée 2020
Best Kadarka: Sauska Kadarka 2020
Best Syrah: Weimert Gábor Syrah 2018

See the full list of results here

Our previous article about the latest Top 12 Villányi Franc

Top 12 Cabernet Franc from Villány revealed