Best of Country wines

Austria: Kollwentz Blaufrankisch Leithakalk (Burgenland) 2022
Croatia: Agapito Borgonja Rožoljo (Istria) 2019
Serbia: Vinčić Molovin Inat (Fruška Gora) 2020 Vinčić
Slovenia: Pinterič  Modra Frankinja (Bizeljsko) 2022
Hungary and Slovakia Best of above, at the Grand Gold winners

Gold medal winners

• Pinterič Modra Frankinja 2022 (SLO)
• Riczu Kékfrankos (Villány) 2022 (HUN) 
• Etyeki Kúria Borászat Kékfrankos (Sopron) 2020 (HUN) 
• Agapito Rožljo Borgonja 2019 (CRO)
• Stier Kékfrankos (Villány) 2017 (HUN)
• Vina Jelenič Modra Frankinja Excellent 2017 (SLO)
• Eszterbauer „Telihold” Kékfrankos (Szekszárd) 2023 (HUN)   
• Varsányi Kékfrankos Superior Grand Selection (Eger) 2019 (HUN) 
• Enosophia Miraz frankovka 2019 (CRO)
• Jackfall Kékfrankos (Villány) 2018 (HUN)   
• Kollwentz Ried Point 2022 (AUT)
• Enosophia Lingua Franka 2020 (CRO)
• Vesztergombi Porkoláb-völgy Kékfrankos (Szekszárd) 2022 (HUN)   
• Heimann Szivem Kékfrankos (Szekszárd) 2021 (HUN)  
• Molovin (Vinčić) Franovka Inat 2020 (SRB)
• Damjanić Borgonja 2023 (CRO)
• Vesztergombi Porkoláb-völgy Kékfrankos (Szekszárd) 2019 (HUN)  
• Papak Frankovka 2018 (CRO)
• Ernst Triebaumer Ried Gemark 2022 (AUT)
• Vina Belje Frankovka Premium 2022 (CRO)
• Prus Modra Frankinja Barrique 2016 (SLO)
• Koch Kirschner Kékfrankos (Dunántúl) 2022 (HUN)   
• Szemes Dél Kékfrankos Kopár-dűlő (Villány) 2021 (HUN) 
• Kollwentz Blaufrankisch Leithakalk 2022 (AUT)
• Stier Kékfrankos (Villány) 2018 (HUN)  
• Esterhazy Blaufrankisch 2023 (AUT)
• Káli Kövek Kékfrankos (Balaton) 2023 (HUN)   
• Schieber Görögszó Kékfrankos (Szekszárd) 2022 (HUN)   
• Vylyan Kékfrankos (Villány) 2023 (HUN)
• Fyrmonia Kekfrankos – Frankovka Modra 2021 (SVK)
• Schieber Trilógia Kékfrankos (Szekszárd) 2022 (HUN) 
• Nittnaus Jungenberg 2021 2021 (AUT)
• Trs Blaufrankisch 2020 (CRO)
• Ernst Triebaumer Ried Oberer Wald 2022 (AUT)
• Tűzkő Birtok Kékfrankos (Pannon) 2022 (HUN) 
• Klet Krško Turn – Modra Frankinja Premium 2021 (SLO)

The Best Furmint

Tornai Top Selection Apátsági Furmint 2021, Somló (92 points)
(Out of 35 Furmint wines from 6 wine regions)
Crystal clear golden colour. Nose with ripened fruits–summer pear–and also with almonds, citrus fruit, vanilla and white flowers. Mineral notes, creamy texture, crispy acidity. Juicy, lovely palate and long finish.
The retail price is 6200 HUF / 15 EUR on the webshop of the winery.
More about the wine and Tornai Winery

The Best Kékfrankos

Etyeki Kúria Kékfrankos 2019, Sopron (92 points)
(Out of 22 Kékfrankos wines from 11 wine regions)
Lovely ruby colour. Ripened red fruits on the nose, mainly sour cherry and cranberries with some blackberries and dried leaves. Lighter body, velvety tannins. Soft, rounded, juicy, fruit driven wine. Long aftertaste. Well-done, great job!
The retail price on the webshop of the winery is only 4450 HUF and now with special offer only 3340 HUF / 8 EUR!
More about the wine and Etyeki Kúria

The Best Pinot Noir

(Pinot Noir, Kadarka and Syrah varietal wines were tasted in one panel tasting)
Garamvári Pinot Noir Premium Selection 2021, Boglárlelle (92 points)
(Out of 29 wines from 12 wine regions)
Clear, dark ruby colour with brownish tone. Attractive nose with a fruit basket: sour cherry, rose hip, cranberry. Also spices with some dried leaves. Crispy acidity, creamy texture, juicy, fruit driven, elegant wine with quite long aftertaste.
The retail price of the wine on the webshop of the winery is only 4200 HUF / 10 EUR.
More about Garamvári Vineyard

The Best Bordeaux Blend

Heumann Lagona 2018, Villány (93 points)
(Out of 66 wines from 12 wine regions)
Clear, shiny ruby colour. Intense nose with ripened blueberry, sour cherry, some tobacco, spices, chocolate and dried leaves along with a touch of wood. Exciting, charming palate, serious body, subtle tannins. Fruity and spice. Long aftertaste abundant in chocolate. Right at its peak.
The retail price of the wine at the winery is only 3900 HUF / 9.5 EUR.
More about the wine
More about and Heumann Winery

The Best Bikavér

Thummerer Egri Bikavér Grand Superior Nagy-Eged 2021 (93 points)
(Out of 18 wines from the two Bikavér wine regions, Eger and Szekszárd)
Very dark ruby colour. Intense, matured nose with black berry fruits, spices, coffee, chocolate, a pinch of wood, dried leaves and some buttery tones. Oily texture, velvety tannins, juicy-fruity palate. Very long fruity and spicy finish.
The retail price on the webshop of the winery is 6299 HUF / 15 EUR.
More about the wine and Thummerer Winery

The Best Tokaj Noble Sweet Wine

Balassa Villő Tokaji Aszú 6 puttonyos 2019, Tokaj (96 points)
(Out of 27 wines from Tokaj wine region)
Dark golden colour. Complex nose with countless aromas: summer pear, raisins, apricot, mint, honey, butter. Mineral notes, creamy texture, vibrant acidity. Very well-balanced sugar–acidity, a lot of tropical fruits on the palate with minerality and buttery notes. A very long finish.
The retail price of the wine at the winery is 43 000 HUF / 104 EUR.
More about the wine and Balassa estate

La Trinità Villányi Franc 2017
Adrian van Velsen, VWine.ch, 93 points / 100

The Swiss independent wine writer participated in the latest edition of Franc & Franc conference in Villány in November 2022. “Loess limestone soil, 10-year-old vines, harvested on September 28th. Lower yields. 25 HL per hectare. Destemming, alcoholic fermentation in steel tanks, expanded in Hungarian wood, 15% alcohol, 5.5g acid, 1.4g residual sugar.
Strong ruby ​​red. Fresh, intense and herbal nose, still youthful, dark berries, black cherries, currants and a touch of animalism mix with hints of dark chocolate, a slightly herbal note swings. Straightforward on the palate, strong, very opulent, distinctive tannins, very good structure, the wine has a lot of potential and already shows finesse. The acidity gives this power pack a pleasant freshness despite the high alcohol content. The finish is very long-lasting, spicy, full of dark fruits.”
The original article was written in German, available here        

Villányi Franc @Franc&Franc

 

La Trinità Villányi Franc 2017
Andreas Larsson, Tasted.com, 92 points / 100

The Sweedish born, France based sommelier world champion wrote the following: “Inky dark purple core and hue. Ripe nose showing violet, cassis, plum and new oak notes. Good substance on the palate, ripe dark fruit with well-rounded yet present tannin adding freshness, some oak derived toast and spice, ripe and warm yet balanced with a long and meaty finish.”

See the original post by Tasted.com

 

How did Trinitás become La Trinità

Trinitás becomes La Trinità

 

Trinitás Villányi Franc 2016
Andreas Larsson, Tasted.com, 93 points / 100

With this 93 score result Trinitás is the Hungarian red with the highest scores on Tasted.com along with NJK from Kovács Nimród Winery. “Intense dark purple colour. The nose starts with some new oak and toast paired with ripe black fruit, cassis, plum, tobacco and fine spices. Very good grip on the palate, dense but fresh dark fruit with pepper, clove, fine wood and tobacco notes, young but ripe tannin with a long and layered finish. Nicely done.”

https://tasted.wine/wine-scores/

 

Trinitás Villányi Franc 2016
Decanter World Wine Awards 2021, gold medal, 95 points / 100

The rigorous British international wine contest is not generous with gold medals, thus a Decanter gold is highly appreciated everywhere. “Serious and classy nose with lots of spicy character, ripe dark cherriesand plums. Lovely depth of fruit supporting the alcohol and grainy tannins.“

Our earlier report on DWWA 2021 results

92 Decanter accolades to Hungary!

 

Trinitás Villányi Franc 2016
Price value champion in Swiss Vinum magazine

The panel tasting of the October 2021 issue of Vinum was about Cabernet Franc wines from around the world except for France (“Cabernet Franc Weltweit”). Heumann Trinitás Cabernet Franc 2016 got the second highest score at this panel tasting and it costs only 32 Swiss franks, while the winner of the panel tasting, Lodovico Tenuta di Biserno 2016 costs 375 Swiss franks… “Noble aromas on the nose with forest fruits, blueberries, plums and licorice. Earthy character with a touch of rosemary. Forest undergrowth and leather. Complex, outstanding and beguiling wine with power and length.”

Trinitás, the price-value champion Cabernet Franc

 

Trinitás Villányi Franc 2016
Wine Spectator 92 points /100

And a lovely story at the end…

‘Mr Cab Franc’s happy son

*Pig killing: a rural tradition in Hungary and some other Central Eastern European countries. The activity is not similar to Spanish bullfights, here the reason of the killing is simply to process the meat (and other parts) of a pig when it reaches the proper age and weight. Since an adult pig is very strong, several men are needed to conduct the slaughter. And if they are together doing the hard work all day, certainly they drink several ‘pálinka’ shots (the origin protected fruit spirit of Hungary). Since Hungary joined the European Union, pig killing takes place in an EU comform manner.

How Hungarian Cabernet Franc Changed My Dad’s Life and Mine

My Dad was known to his friends as ‘Cab Franc.’ His name was really Joseph and all of his social time with visiting friends was spent talking about his favourite wine and grape from Hungary, Cabernet Franc.
My mother’s side of the family is Hungarian, her sister was born near Villány. Her mother’s last name was Grosz and her father’s given name was Erdélyi. That was the Hungarian connection. My father was an inventor and very private about his patents. What he was not private about was Cabernet Franc. He tooted his horn about Cabernet Franc wherever he went. His business trips included several to Hungary.

Whenever he went to Hungary for business, he took two extra, empty suitcases, filling them up, upon return, with bottles of Cabernet Franc. When my parents had their bi-monthly parties at our house in New Orleans, in the 70’s and 80’s, wine spritzers were popular. A wine spritzer is made from equal parts of chilled wine mixed with either club soda or ginger ale. Following the trend, my father made wine coolers using Cabernet Franc. Eventually, the guests said, forget the club soda and ginger ale and pour the wine Cab Franc only. That is when they started calling my father, ‘Cab Franc’, instead of Joseph.

On some business trips he would bring back bottles of Cabernet Franc from France, and other trips, Cab Franc from Italy. When he poured these bottles from France and Italy, his band of friends would say the wine doesn’t taste right. It’s not the usual Cab Franc that you pour for us from Hungary. We don’t want an imposter, they would say. My dad’s  loyal friends would say, just bring back the right stuff, the Cab Franc from Hungary.

I remember dad telling stories to our relatives, Raymond and Roger Weill, who were among America’s foremost stamp collectors. They were both wine connoisseurs, especially high end Burgundies and Bordeaux’s. When the Weill brothers came to our house for a Sunday meal (my mom was their favourite cook), they would bring a case of Hungarian Cabernet Franc for my father, as a gift. They knew my dad’s supply of Cabernet Franc from Hungary frequently ran out.

In a panicked moment, my dad called then asked if they could suggest to Martins Wine Cellar, the premier wine shop in New Orleans, to carry Cabernet Franc from Hungary. The Weill brothers were influential and Martin’s Wine Cellar purchased a pallet for the Weills and to keep on hand. It didn’t take long for Martins Wine Cellar to sell the wine, due in part because my dad was the self appointed Hungarian Cabernet Franc ambassador in New Orleans. In fact, my father said to the staff at Martins Wine Cellar, if you can’t educate your customers on how great this grape from Hungary is, I would be happy to buy all of the bottles you can’t sell. My father was a man of his word.

As the years went by, my interest in wine grew. I married, living in Nuremberg, Germany, teaching journalism, photography and movie-making at Nuremberg American High School. We owned a Volkswagen camper and had three months every summer to travel. This was in the 90’s. My summer goal was to camp in Hungary to visit Villány and learn about my father’s favourite grape, Cabernet Franc.

My dad passed away in 1989, so it was my duty to visit Villány and learn first hand about Cabernet Franc for both ‘Cab Franc’ and my mother’s Hungarian roots. The visit was a success. I learned that Cabernet Franc was a relatively new variety in Hungary, having been planted in the early 1900s. It took until the 60’s before the variety began to thrive in Hungary, specifically, Villány. Cab Franc was used mostly in the 90’s in Bordeaux blends. The winemakers realized that in their land of rolling hills and valleys that Villány should be the home of Cabernet Franc. Siklós, to the west of Villány, has cooler limestone hills, producing Cab Franc with more acidity and ripe for blending with Villány grapes. Villány has a Mediterranean climate, with long, hot summers and mild winters. Cabernet Franc is planted everywhere in the region. The end result encompasses a fruit forward wine that is balanced, velvety and has old word earthiness. It’s a clean wine that rolls off your palate and continues to grow and takes minutes to end, due to its long finish. My Hungarian wine friends taught a Hungarian phrase to me,’Ha Villány, akkor Cabernet Franc! Ha Cabernet Franc, akkor Villány,’ The translation is simple, ‘If you think of Villány, think of Cabernet Franc. If you think of Cabernet Franc, think of Villány.’

Cabernet Franc is a fascinating grape. Historically, I was taught, it’s the father of both Malbec and Cabernet Sauvignon. If that is the case, its juiciness, spice and even structure make this variety a superstar. With high alcoholic content (15% is normal), the tannins do exist in younger vintages, but disappear with ageing, turning this wine into an elegant, fruit driven, fresh wine, worthy of international acclaim. If it weren’t for my father’s passion about Cabernet Franc, chances are I would never have entered the wine world. Like my Dad, my goal is to alert the world that Hungarian Cabernet Franc is a ‘World Class’ wine. Isn’t it time to try my Dad’s favorite Hungarian export, Cabernet Franc?

Heumann Winery from Villány wine region received gold medal for a novelty of the estate: Blue Secret 2017. As the name suggests, Blue Secret blend is based on Kékfrankos (aka Blaufrankisch, ‘Kék’ and ‘Blau’ mean blue) with 15% Merlot and 15% Cabernet Sauvignon. The wine was partly matured in used oak. “For 2500 HUF (8 euros) it is a steal!” says Erhard Heumann, owner of the winery. Moreover, the single varietal Heumann Kékfrankos Reserve 2016 has just received 92 points in the Swiss edition of Falstaff magazine! “Spicy and fruity bouquet with notes of dark berries, plums and a touch of cinnamon and pepper. Elegant on the palate, spicy character, nicely integrated tannins and long finish.”

The estate is located in the area of Siklós in the Hungarian wine region Villány. This Family-owned artisanal winery was founded in the late 1990s by the Swiss-German couple Evelyne and Erhard Heumann and gradually built up since then. The vineyards cover 12 hectares, mainly planted with the red varieties Cabernet Franc, Kékfrankos (aka Blaufränkisch), Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon and Syrah, but with the white varieties Riesling, Chardonnay and Gewürztraminer too. Even if the winery is not organically registered, the vineyards are treated in a respectful way. Spraying is mainly done according to organic constraints (e.g. no Glyphosate). The annual production around 35,000 bottles, with red wines forming the major part. Some wines are produced as single varietals (Cabernet Franc, Kékfrankos, Syrah), others as cuvées (Lagona, Terra Tartaro). The red wines are matured in Hungarian barriques or tonneau (500l) which are generally used four times. Whites wines and rosé are matured steel tanks.

The full list of Hungarian medal winners

More about Heumann Winery

Heumann Merlot Bianco 2024

Heumann Blue-White 2024

Heumann Rajnai Rizling 2017

Heumann Kékfrankos Reserve 2015

Heumann Lagona 2015

Purple color. In the nose red berries with a hint of vanilla. On the palate red currents and raspberries. Lively yet velvet with smooth tannins. Elegant wine with long finish.

Heumann Trinitás Villányi Franc 2016

Heumann Terra Tartaro 2013