10 highlights: Aszú Furmint, Cabernet Franc, Olaszrizling, Kadarka, Kékfrankos

Decanter World Wine Awards results have been published today, Hungary has won 152 medals. 3 Platinum awards, 16 gold medals, 63 silver medals and 70 bronze medals. All three Platinum winners received 97 points. Let us reveal some medal winners from each category, focusing on our local grapes (including Cabernet Franc, which is not local, but “it has found its home” in Villány and other Hungarian wine regions).

Find all DWWA results here

Béres 6 puttonyos Tokaji Aszú 2017, Tokaj, 97 points (Platinum)

60% Furmint, 40% Muscat
The oldest vintage wine of the three Platinum winners is Béres Tokaji Aszú.
DWWA review: A captivating interplay of richly concentrated fruit and exuberant white tea aromatics bathed in a joyous sweetness. Very refined and distinctive with a massive lemony energy which pervades the racy acidity and swirls towards the long, volcanic finish.

More about Béres Vineyards

Kancellár Olaszrizling 2021, Somló, Balaton, 95 points (Gold, Value)

100% Olaszrizling
Olaszrizling is the most important white grape of Balaton region, and this wine is the best value of the Hungarian white wines.
DWWA review: Ripe green fruit, fennel and dill aromas bustle over the searing linear mineral core with a lively grapefruit acidity and precise length. Expressive and terroir-driven.

More about Kancellár Winery

Vylyan Mandulás Villány Franc 2021, 95 points (Gold)

100% Cabernet Franc
As Michael Broadbent once said, Cabernet Franc had found its home in Villány, where the appellation is called Villányi Franc.
DWWA review: Vivid red fruit, bell pepper and grass aromas radiate over the bedrock of charred oak, with supple grainy tannins and a tobacco twist on the cooling finish.

More about Vylyan Vineyard and Winery

Teleki Inspiráció Bio Villányi Franc 2022, 95 points (Gold, Value)

100% Cabernet Franc
This wine has also received the title of the best value red wine of Hungary.
DWWA review: Crammed with tempting flavours of damson, dark chocolate and sweet oak spice; a very distinctive style with an abundant structure, smoky tannins and a savoury length.

More about Teleki Wines

Sauska Medve 2022, Tokaj, 95 points (Gold)

100% Furmint
It is a single vineyard Furmint by Sauska receiving high scores, along with Birsalmás, another single vineyard with the same high scores.
DWWA review: Burgeoning with yellow flowers, grapefruit and quince with a fulsome stature and luminous drive of lemon acidity. Quenching and concentrated with a long nutty finish.

More about Sauska

Patricius Profundum Furmint 2022, 91 points (Silver)

100% Furmint
It is a relatively new label of Patricius Winery, a barrel aged Furmint.
DWWA review: Restrained aromas of ripe yellow apple, lemon and smoky undertones. Firmly textured, very vibrant on the palate. Mineral finish.
More about Patricius Winery

Thummerer Grand Superior Kadarka 2021, Eger, 90 points (Silver)

100% Kadarka
How great to see that our Kadarka variety is so appreciated!
DWWA review: Savoury and meaty complexity under sweet cherry and dark berry aromas, some floral character. Juicy and very drinkable, pleasant finish.
More about Thummerer Winery

Heimann Barbár 2020, Szekszárd, 90 points (Silver)

35% Cabernet Franc, 30% Merlot, 24% Tannat
As said earlier, Cabernet Franc is more or less considered “our grape” by now. Heimann likes blend it with unusual grapes (in Hungary) like Tannat.
DWWA review: Nice nuances of dried herbs with touches of violets and sweet spices. Distinctive on the palate, with nicely managed tannins.
More about Heimann Family Estate

Vesztergombi Porkolábvölgy Kékfrankos 2019, Szekszárd, 88 points (Bronze)

100% Kékfrankos
Decanter contest is the one when it is a huge acknowledgement to get a bronze medal. We love to see that our precious Kékfrankos variety is appreciated.
DWWA review: Aromas of chocolate and nutty oak, with notes of red berries. Firm yet integrated tannins.
More about Vesztergombi Cellar

Kúria Sopron 2020, Sopron, 88 points (Bronze)

100% Kékfrankos
Another great example of the variety from the “Capital of Kékfrankos”.
DWWA review: Savoury red fruit and mocha aromas with notes of raspberry. Refreshing and vivid acidity, firm structure.
More about Etyeki Kúria