Thummerer Bikavér Superior

Thummerer Bikavér Superior from Eger, Hungary. A fascinating bouquet, complex and challenging. On the nose we discern sour cherry, raspberry, forest fruit and sweet spice. Very supple on the palate and it shows a balanced structure with soft tannins. 2011 was a more than exceptionally good year and although this wine still has quite a few years to mature, it is certainly no punishment to already be able to taste…and enjoy!

Cabernet Franc and Syrah, Cabernet Sauvignon, Kekfrancos, Merlot Cabernet franc is a fairly productive variety. It is in fact the original cabernet grape. The much more famous Cabernet Sauvignon is a descendant of the Cabernet Franc. It probably comes from Bordeaux where it is one of the classic components of Bordeaux wines. In the 17th century it was taken to the Loire Valley where it was subsequently successfully planted. Cabernet Franc likes calcareous gravel, sand and clay soils and ripens about ten days earlier than Cabernet Sauvignon. It thrives very well in cooler soils. Cabernet Sauvignon is best known in Bordeaux where, together with merlot and cabernet franc, it produces high-class wines. It needs a lot of heat to ripen, otherwise it will become green and juicy with a taste of green pepper. Too much heat makes it soft and jam-like, with a taste of blackcurrants. Cabernet Sauvignon produces very aromatic wines with scents of blackcurrant, vanilla, spices (pepper), tobacco, plum, cherry, toasted bread and cedar. The wines usually have a long shelf life, have a lot of tannin and in principle have to mature in barriques. Kékfrankos: the Hungarian name for Austrian Blaufränkisch. Merlot is one of the oldest Vitis vinifera varieties that ripens earlier than Carbernet Sauvignon and Cabernet Franc. Merlot is important in Bordeaux, especially in Saint-Emilion and Pomerol. Merlot plantings have increased significantly in recent years. The grape is very popular worldwide and people are increasingly realizing that Merlot must be planted in a fairly cool vineyard. This grape produces dark, cool, soft, spicy and fruity wines.

Syrah, a strong blue grape of very high quality. This grape is usually not easy for wine growers, but it is the seasoning for many Côtes du Rhône Villages. Delivers incredibly powerful and complex wines under optimal conditions. Have a high tannin content, without being stiff. The Syrah grape quickly suffers from poor fruit set in cool weather during flowering (coulure) but is not very susceptible to grape diseases such as Oidium.