Fritz, 1635 Cuvee, 2019, Hungary
This Bordeaux blend of Cab Sav, Cab Franc and Merlot is half decent. Dry, bold with robust tannins there are flavours of dark red and black fruits, tobacco, chocolate and oak that are all easily picked upon. The subtle flavours are missing, its a big red and one for food to accompany it.
Attila Pince, Birtokbor, 2015, Eger, Hungary
Hungarian red wine can be very good and pretty cheap and this red from Attila Pince is good. A blend of Syrah, Cab France, Merlot and Pinot Noir its dry, pretty bold with good red fruit flavours. Its a bit bland and is just better with red meat or tomato based pasta than on its own. A party wine.
Royal Tokaji, Dry Tokaji, 2018, Hungary
This is probably I love it or leave it wine, it’s not that Royal Tokaji can actually be accused of producing a bad wine, it is actually quite good one. It’s probably not one that I would go for. You get lots of green fruit with some grapefruit and a little bit of Oak.
As the name suggests this is a dry white wine with plenty of favor which makes this review difficult as there’s a lot going for it, it’s one that you should try. I think that’s what I’ve learned in tasting wine. At £9 from Majestic wine it’s pretty good value as well, probably one to try with lots of other wines.
Royal Tokaji, Late Harvest, 2017, Hungary
Late harvest wines can be very sweet and you are seduced by the sugar. This one from Royal Tokaji is more balanced better finesse. There are aromas of peach, blossom you get ripe tropical fruits on the palate it’s a grown up dessert wine that’s pretty damn good and the best bit, £11 at majestic you can’t go wrong. It’s the Goldilocks of dessert wines, good price, excellent taste.
If all Hungarian Sauvignon Blanc was as great as this Aranymetszés Friss from Varga Pincészet I may never drink any other wine. Well not quite but this is AMAZING. Its a great easy drinking, medium style white wine with a lot of fresh peach, melon, lime, lemon and elderflower aromas and tastes with a bit of a sparkle in there. When its hot outside this is perfect. A bronze medal winner at the IWSC (a little stingy) the issue is getting it in the UK. There are better Sauvignon Blancs out there but this is a wine of a moment, a warm summers day, doing nothing.
Varga Pincészet, Aranymetszés Friss, Sauvignon Blanc, 2018, Hungary
Furmint from Hungary is a wine that many people don’t try, why? its probably because its from hungary and not cheap.
This is a deep wine, golden in colour, aromas and in taste. There’s honey, pear, almonds and ripe citrus with smokeyness, oakyness and a thickness of texture that makes this pretty different. Its not for everyone and the ripeness of the fruit and smokeyness is a little over powering. It got a Bronze in the 2019 Decanter World Wine Awards which is right on the mark.
Its about £25 a bottle, which is expensive for what it is. There are cheaper Furmints out there that are are as good and better AND cheaper.
Nagy Eded, Grand Cru Furmint 2015, Hungary
Tokaji is well known for sweet desert wines but it also does dry wine rather well.
Dry, light with a distinct nod to french Chenin Blanc this is a great wine. Appley, with stone fruit flavours and hints of elderflower. Its well structured, good length with balance in all respects. I could give a greater description but I’m liking the wine too much.
At £15 a bottle spot on the mark for quality and price.
MAD, Furmint from Tokaji 2016, Hungary
A dry Tokaj is not unusual these days but I have not come across that I like that much. This one is rather good, made with 100% Furmint there are aromas and flavours of citrus, esp lemon and a crispness that is refreshing. There is a lot of acidity in this wine which reminds me of some of the Chenins from South Africa that I’ve tried.
At £12 a bottle its not badly price but at this price point you can get a better dry wine from around the world.
Mad – Dry by Tokaj – from Hungary