(2021) From Villány, one of the production areas for the historic 'Bull's Blood' wine, this is a blend of 70% Kékfrankos with Syrah. Deeper in colour and a little sweeter than your average Provençal pink, this has some strawberry and reducrrant on the nose, and a little bubblegum character, though overall it is fruity and appealing. The residual sugar (less than 5g/l) is apparent on the palate alongside naturally sweet fruit, and lively, really quite crisp acidity tightens up the finish.
(2016) Though often producing quite light and fruity wines in the Loire Valley in France, elsewhere, with hotter climates allowing extra ripeness, Cabernet Franc finds a rich and much more powerful expression, as in this wine from Villany in southwest Hungary. It's a melange of cocoa, deep and ripe mulberry and dusty Agen prune on the nose, with an excellent quality of oak and obvious ripeness. On the palate super-ripe cassis and juicy black plum depth of fruit is layered with a smokiness, a dry framework of tannin and well-balanced acidity. It has power and weight but a fine sense of alertness and freshness too. A terrific wine from this red wine hot spot in Hungary.
