Várvédő Egri Bikavér Grand Superior Sík-hegy 2021
Type of the wine: Dry, Red
Grape variety: Kékfrankos, Cabernet Franc, Cabernet Sauvignon, Pinot Noir
Alcohol: 13%
Residual sugar: 1.3 g/L
Acidity: 5.1 g/L
Sugar free extract: 30 g/L
Terroir, vineyard: The Sík-hegy vineyard is the winery’s most important Bikavér production area. Historically, it is also the premier volcanic bedrock vineyard in the wine region (the bedrock of Nagy-Eged is limestone). We have several hectares of blue grapes here, predominantly older varieties of Kékfrankos and Cabernet, and a younger Kékfrankos that is already producing very good fruit, as well as several hectares of new plantings of varieties that we have not previously cultivated on the Sík-hegy Hill.
Training system: Middle and high cordon, umbrella
Technology: The different grape varieties were harvested separately at their respective ripening times, fermented in a mixture of steel tanks and, due to low yields, also in vats for small quantities, and then, after fermentation and malolactic fermentation, started to age in young and brand new Hungarian and French oak barrels of 500 and 225 litres. After two years of ageing, we decided on the final blend and then left the Kékfrankos, Cabernet Franc, Cabernet Sauvignon and Pinot Noir to rest in steel tanks for a few months before bottling.
Quality level: Grand Superior
Temperature: 16–18 C°
Food pairing: We recommend it with roast beef, game dishes, smoked cheese and roast lamb.
Available quantity: N/A
Retail price on winery webshop: 8990 HUF / 22–23 EUR
More information: We consider 2021 to be a warm vintage, especially the ripening period was very warm, so sugar harvesting was extremely fast. In 2021, the old vines were still the main producers, the grapes showed beautiful ripeness and a very nice deep colour. The different grape varieties were harvested separately at their respective ripening times, fermentations were carried out in a mixture of steel tanks and, due to low yields, also in vats, and after fermentation and malolactic fermentation, we started to age the young and brand new Hungarian and French grapes in 500 and 225 litre oak barrels. After two years of ageing, we decided on the final blend and then left the Kékfrankos, Cabernet Franc, Cabernet Sauvignon and Pinot Noir to rest in steel tanks for a few months before bottling.
Description
Deep, garnet red, promising wine that leaves serious curves on the walls of the glass. The nose starts with a solid leatheriness, followed by strong roasted notes, with roasted chestnuts at the forefront. These are followed by fruit in the form of blueberries, cherries and plums. If you wait for it to really open up, an exciting Mediterranean line emerges, with a touch of basil spiciness and a hint of dried tomato enriching the layers of aromas. As it warms up, the alcohol starts to dominate, giving the wine a liqueur-like character. On the palate, dried plums, figs, intense toasty notes, velvety tannins, lively acidity, a warming sense of alcohol. The finish is also pruney and chocolatey, with a chalky, slightly drying finish. We are not disappointed, its diversity is an imprint of the place of origin, the varieties and the ageing method, and it truly shows the greatness that is in its name.
