A stock clearance of a well known retailer provided my with a good opportunity to acquire some bottles for party people coming to visit us from time to time, you know smokers and alike. Some of these wines were so disappointing they drove me to the conclusion I made about mediocre wine reviews in this post. Tiffány’s Portugieser 2009, Tiffán’s Imortal cuvée 2007 and Tűzkő’s Sauvignon Blanc 2008 were good match with cigarettes only really. The following two wines were the best of the lot, so far.
The wines
Chateau Kajmád – Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Kékfrankos, 2003
Considering it was made in 2003 we can call this an early bird of it’s kind with it’s 14% alcohol.
The look: A dark core surrounded by pigeon blood hue and a pale brownish rim, with some purplish reflections.
Nose: Interesting spices coming through a stuffy bouquet at first, things like turmeric-favored plum and other oddities.
Palate: Dirty. After 90 minutes it evoles structurally but I’d like more definition to it. The wine’s texture is oily and I’m suspecting a good deal of glycerin here. The tart fruityness I would even call pleasant would it not been ruined by the whole picture including quite a lot of half powdery, half sticky overflowing tannins soaked up by the glycerin. The wine has a dirty character which I associate with many – even not so old – Ch. Kajmád wines, very much the opposite of the clean Konyári or Gróf Buttler wines.
Hilltop – Prémium Merlot 2008
Look: dead ruby.
Nose: mulberry syrup, very fruity.
Palate: Ligh-bodied wine with blueberry wrapped in burnt rubber and licorice aromas. Soft texture and polished tannins. But as a whole it’s too “made” and simple.
Evaluation: forget about it.
Posted: September 30th, 2010
Categories:
Chateau Kajmád,
Hilltop,
Tiffán,
Tűzkő
Tags:
2008,
2009,
Ászár-Neszmély,
cuvée,
Merlot,
Overrated,
portugieser,
Sauvignon Blanc,
Szekszárd,
Villány
Comments:
No Comments.
What a modest title. I came up with it in only 1 minute of thinking. In my defense: it’s search-engine friendly and it’s true, from my perspective. Anyway, here’s the almost complete list of tasted wines and their score from 2008.
One remark, except the festival notes, all reviews were written based on at least 1/2 bottle of wine tasted by me alone over several hours, at least once over this period. Even wines presented in quick notes. Any occasional exception was mentioned in the given post, but they were maximum 2 or 3, if any.
Tasting Scores 2008
|
Vylyan
|
Pinot Noir
|
2003
|
5+/6-
|
|
(in Q2 2008)
|
|
Gál Tibor
|
Cabernet Franc
|
2001
|
4
|
|
(in Q2 2008)
|
|
Tokaj Hétszőlő
|
Furmint
|
2006
|
5+/6-
|
|
(in Q2 2008)
|
|
Szecskő Tamás
|
Cuvée
|
2005
|
6
|
|
(in Q2 2008)
|
|
Gróf Buttler
|
Portugieser
|
2006
|
7+
|
|
(in Q2 2008)
|
|
Gróf Buttler
|
Kadarka
|
2006
|
3+
|
|
(in Q2 2008)
|
|
Mayer
|
Kopár Cuvée
|
2004
|
3+
|
|
(in Q2 2008)
|
|
Szt. Gaál
|
Kékfrankos
|
2005
|
6-/6
|
|
(in Q2 2008)
|
|
Malatinszky
|
Cabernet Sauvignon Barrique
|
2006
|
3+
|
OR
|
(in Q2 2008)
|
|
Chateau Dereszla
|
Dorombor
|
2006
|
6+/7-
|
BB
|
(in Q2 2008)
|
|
Tokaj Hétszőlő
|
Kövérszőlő
|
2006
|
6+/7-
|
|
(in Q2 2008)
|
|
Bezerics-Németh
|
Chardonnay Barrique
|
2006
|
3-
|
OR
|
(in Q2 2008)
|
|
Vylyan
|
Montenuovo Cuvée
|
2006
|
6-
|
|
(in Q2 2008)
|
|
Cramele Halewood
|
Sauvignon Blanc
|
2006
|
5+
|
FV
|
(in Q2 2008)
|
|
Chateau Dereszla
|
Sauvignon Blanc
|
2007
|
6+
|
BB
|
(in Q2 2008)
|
|
Vylyan
|
Villányi Rizling
|
2006
|
3
|
OR
|
(in Q2 2008)
|
|
Dereszla
|
Dry
|
2006
|
5, 5+
|
FV
|
(in Q2 2008)
|
|
Oremus
|
Mandolás Furmint
|
2003
|
7, 7+
|
FV, BB
|
(in Q2 2008)
|
|
Szabó Zoltán
|
Sauvignon Blanc
|
|
6+, 7-
|
BB
|
(in Q3 2008)
|
|
Ebner
|
Chardonnay
|
2006
|
3+
|
|
(in Q3 2008)
|
|
Ebner
|
Portugieser
|
2007
|
3+
|
|
(in Q3 2008)
|
|
Bock
|
Merlot
|
2002
|
5+
|
OR
|
(in Q3 2008)
|
|
Pontica
|
Móri Ezerjó
|
2006
|
7-
|
FV/BB
|
(in Q3 2008)
|
|
Degenfeld
|
Muscat Lunel
|
2007
|
4
|
|
(in Q3 2008)
|
|
Leo
|
Riesling
|
2006
|
3+
|
OR
|
(in Q3 2008)
|
|
Hilltop
|
Chardonnay
|
2006
|
3
|
OR
|
(in Q3 2008)
|
|
Heimann
|
Merlot
|
2006
|
5, 5+
|
FV
|
(in Q3 2008)
|
|
Heimann
|
Kerkaborum
|
2006
|
6, 6+
|
BB
|
(in Q3 2008)
|
|
Bussay
|
Esküvé
|
2006
|
5
|
FV
|
(in Q3 2008)
|
|
Ch. Megyer
|
Chardonnay
|
2005
|
6, 6+
|
BB
|
(in Q3 2008)
|
|
Dereszla
|
Furmint Szegi
|
2006
|
5+
|
|
(in Q3 2008)
|
|
Heumann
|
Kékrankos Barrique
|
2006
|
6
|
FV (only just)
|
(in Q3 2008)
|
|
Toth István
|
Bikavér Válogatás
|
2002
|
6+/7-
|
|
(in Q3 2008)
|
|
Jamek
|
Riesling Jochinger
|
2007
|
5, 5+
|
OR
|
(in Q3 2008)
|
|
Domane Wachau
|
Riesling Smaragd Singerriedel
|
2005
|
6, 6+
|
OR
|
(in Q3 2008)
|
|
Eurobor
|
Tűzkő Szelekcio
|
2006
|
5+, 6-
|
FV
|
(in Q3 2008) |
|
Tokaj Hétszőlő
|
Aszú Hárslevelű, 5 Puttonyos
|
2001
|
8-
|
FV
|
(in Q3 2008) |
|
Gere Attila
|
Cabernet Sauvignon Barrique
|
2000
|
4, 5-
|
OR
|
(in Q3 2008) |
|
Gere Attila
|
Kopár Cuvée
|
2000
|
7+, 8-
|
|
(in Q3 2008) |
|
Velezvin
|
Etyek-Budai Zengő, Zenit, Zefír Cuvée
|
|
4-
|
|
(in Q3 2008) |
|
Pannonhalmi Apátsági
|
Rajnai Rizling
|
2007
|
4
|
OR
|
(in Q3 2008)
|
|
Légli Ottó
|
Olasrizling
|
|
3-
|
OR
|
(in Q4 2008)
|
|
Eurobor
|
Tűzkő Domb Cuvée
|
2005
|
5
|
OR
|
(in Q4 2008)
|
|
Légli
|
Sauvignon Blanc
|
2007
|
5+/6-
|
OR
|
(in Q4 2008)
|
|
Eurobor
|
Tűzkő Sauvignon Blanc
|
2007
|
4/4-
|
FV
|
(in Q4 2008)
|
|
Bodri
|
Kadarka
|
2007
|
4
|
|
(in Q4 2008)
|
|
Bodri
|
Sauvignon Blanc Szelekció
|
2007
|
4-
|
|
(in Q4 2008)
|
|
Bodri
|
Olaszrizling
|
2007
|
4-
|
|
(in Q4 2008)
|
|
Bodri
|
Rosé
|
2007
|
5-/5
|
|
(in Q4 2008)
|
|
Bodri
|
Kadarka
|
2007
|
4+
|
|
(in Q4 2008)
|
|
Bodri
|
Pinot Noir
|
2007
|
5
|
|
(in Q4 2008)
|
|
Bodri
|
Bikavér
|
2005
|
4
|
|
(in Q4 2008)
|
|
Bodri
|
Kékfrankos
|
2006
|
|
|
(in Q4 2008)
|
|
Bodri
|
Kékfrankos Szelekció
|
2004
|
5/6-
|
|
(in Q4 2008)
|
|
Bodri
|
Optimus
|
2006
|
6/6-
|
|
(in Q4 2008)
|
|
Bodri
|
Merlot
|
2004
|
6
|
|
(in Q4 2008)
|
|
Ráspi
|
Sauvignon Blanc
|
2007
|
7
|
BB
|
(in Q4 2008)
|
|
Monarchia
|
Chardonnay (Battonage)
|
2006
|
7-/7
|
BB
|
(in Q4 2008)
|
|
Eurobor
|
Renana
|
2007
|
3+
|
OR
|
(in Q4 2008)
|
|
Eszterbauer
|
Nagyapám
|
2006
|
3+
|
OR
|
(in Q4 2008)
|
|
Gróf Buttler
|
Pinot Blanc Szelekció, Szarkás Dűlő
|
2003
|
6/6+ (6+/7-)
|
|
(in Q4 2008)
|
|
Tamás Pince
|
Oriolus Cuvée
|
2004
|
5+/6
|
OR
|
(in Q4 2008)
|
|
Gróf Buttler
|
Syrah, Nagy-Eged, 400-500
|
2005
|
6-7
|
|
(in Q4 2008)
|
|
Takler
|
Cuvée Maffiózó
|
2000
|
5+/6- (6+)
|
|
(in Q4 2008)
|
|
Ráspi
|
Mágus Cuvée
|
2006
|
6
|
FV
|
(in Q4 2008)
|
|
Eszterbauer
|
Merterünk Cuvée
|
2006
|
5
|
OR
|
(in Q4 2008)
|
|
Ráspi
|
Leányka
|
2007
|
3+ (but interesting)
|
|
(in Q4 2008)
|
|
Ráspi
|
Rosé Cuvé
|
2007
|
4
|
|
(in Q4 2008)
|
|
Monarchia
|
Grüner Veltliner
|
2006
|
3+
|
OR
|
(in Q4 2008)
|
|
Csányi Pincészet
|
Teleki cabernet Sauvignon
|
2006
|
4-
|
FV
|
(in Q4 2008)
|
|
Konyári
|
Loliense
|
2006
|
6-
|
OR
|
(in Q4 2008)
|
Wine Festival
Tasting Scores
|
Móri Bornapok 2008
|
|
On-site tasting notes.
|
|
Miklóscsabi
|
Utazótáska
|
2007
|
3+/4-
|
|
|
|
Bozóky
|
Leányka
|
2007
|
3+/4-
|
|
|
|
Bozóky
|
Cuvée
|
2007
|
4-
|
|
|
|
Bozóky
|
Ezerjó
|
2006
|
4
|
|
|
|
Miklóscsabi
|
Haramia Cuvée
|
2007
|
5
|
|
|
|
Maurus
|
Leányka
|
2007
|
4
|
|
|
|
Maurus
|
Sauvignon Blanc
|
2007
|
4+/5
|
|
|
|
Maurus
|
Rajnai Rizling
|
2007
|
5+/6-
|
|
|
|
Maurus
|
Eezrjó
|
2007
|
6/6-
|
|
|
|
Maurus
|
Chardonnay
|
2007
|
6
|
|
|
|
VII. Pannon Bormustra – Bországgyűlés (Wine Festival) in 08/06/2008
|
|
On-site tasting notes.
|
|
Ludányi
|
Elizabeth Cuvée
|
2007
|
4-
|
Hydrogen Sulphide gas smell. Not too interesting wine.
|
|
|
Degenfeld
|
Furmint
|
2006
|
3+
|
Furmint smell, bitterness, wood.
|
|
|
Lesence
|
Riesling (Rajnai Rizling)
|
2007
|
6- (or 6)
|
Elegant acid and nose, nice finish. Easy, light.
|
Top Wine
|
|
Tornai
|
Grófi Hárslevelű
|
2006
|
6, 6+
|
Not being a Hárslevelű fan myself, this was my first surprise this day. More really good Hárslevelű were to follow.
This one has deep corn color, has honey and burnt sugar smell besides tropical fruits. The acids can almost balance the intense smell/taste, but only just – not. A little carbon dioxide makes it refreshing though. And it has vanilla in taste too. A really lovely wine for both beginners and maybe even for snobbish drinkers. I like it.
|
|
|
Dereszla
|
Dorombor
|
2007
|
6+, 7-
|
80% Furmint, 20% Hárslevelű. Excellent combination, resulting in a very intense, fresh smell rather Hárslevelű-type. The 13,5% alcohol is supported by nice acid. Cinnamon, or rather apple pie in smellGrass and vegetables are also present, but not the usual ones! My wife said
Dorombor was lemonade with lime. I am looking forward to find out how long the integrity of Furmint and Hárselvelű will last.
|
Top Wine
|
|
Orsolya
|
Pnot Noir
|
2006
|
5/5-
|
Orsolya has been one of my favorite emerging wineries. The smell of their wines are almost unbeatable. This Pinot is a bit of exception, nice light Pinot smell but less intense than you would expect from Orsolya and Zoltán. It’s still a good wine, but not exceptionnel. I am told that Orsolya Pincészet’s stocks are empty, so we have to wait ‘til next year for a fresh refill.
|
|
|
Scheller
|
Áldozói Chardonnay
|
2003
|
7-
|
|
|
|
Pontica
|
(Móri) Ezerjó
|
2006
|
4+
|
It’s a very strong 4+ for this young and small winery. It’s dry, but tastes a bit sweet and rustic, but acid is also not missing. I no longer remember why only gave 4+ points to them. I even purchased a whole bottle for HUF 1 700 right there.
I’m curious about their new works.
|
|
|
Kikelet
|
Furmint (Tokaj)
|
2006
|
|
Outstanding aromas, exceptionnel Furmint. Somewhere in between the Szepsy and Hétszőlő schools. Very interesting. A bit of wood taste disturbs. A bit expensive too for a Furmint at HUF 2 700.
|
|
|
Kikelet
|
Hárslevelű
|
2006
|
5+, (6-?)
|
Elegant, subtle Hárslevelű, a little bit of sweetness makes it fashionable. Even the bitterness in the finish is nice.
|
|
|
Orsolya
|
Hermány Leányka
|
2006
|
6
|
Incredible smell as usual from Orsolya Pince. This wine might require some acid, but it’s weighty and has a nice although not fresh finish. Interesting wine.
|
|
|
Somlói Tavasz fesztivál (Somló Spring Festival) 2008
|
|
On-site tasting notes.
|
|
Laposa
|
Olaszrizling
|
2005
|
5+
|
Good start. Light, fresh, friendly wine.
|
Fair value
|
|
Kreinbacher
|
Olaszrizling
|
2005
|
4
|
Deeper colour, grassy smell and taste. Heavier.
|
Overrated
|
|
Györgykovács
|
Olaszrizling
|
2006
|
6
|
Light in color. Round. A lovely bitter edge at the end. Fresh, almost crispy.
|
Fair value, almost best buy
|
|
Tornai
|
Olaszrizling Selection
|
2006
|
6-, 6
|
Round wine, but not perfectly balanced: it requires a bit more acid. Extremely friendly wine. Floral and earthy smell, smooth taste but not overly spicy. Nice finish (only some acid missing). Surprisingly low alcohol (11,5%). Mouthfilling sensation.
|
Fair value, almost best buy
|
|
Laposa
|
Bazaltbor, juhfark
|
2006
|
5+
|
Tuttifrutti and hay in smell. Hay in taste too. Hot aftertaste. Alcohol 14,5%!
|
|
|
Tornai
|
Juhfark selection
|
2006
|
7
|
Even for those who don’t like juhfark, this friendly version of it makes it more drinkable than its harsh companions. Could have some more acid, but otherwise round and well balanced. Vanilla is present but not too oaky. Long lasting taste, great finish.
|
|
|
Györgykovács
|
Furmint
|
2006
|
5-
|
Apple.
|
|
|
Györgykovács
|
Tramini
|
2006
|
6
|
Intense, grassy and gooseberry smell. Well balanced. Residual sugar and acid at finish. Interesting wine. Smell of traubi*.
|
|
|
Hollóvári (Takács Lajos)
|
Hárslevelű
|
2006
|
3+
|
Forgettable.
|
|
|
Hollóvári (Takács Lajos)
|
Furmint
|
2006
|
|
|
|
|
Kaló Imre
|
Leányka
|
2001
|
|
Intense nose, not so fresh, but elegant. Not too sweet, but some acid would do well for this wine. Very nice finish. 14,7%!
|
|
|
Györgykovács
|
Hárslevelű
|
|
4
|
Average.
|
|
|
Tornai
|
Olaszrizling
|
|
4-
|
Sparkling. Cheap.
|
|
|
A non-alcoholic drink produced in the socialist era in Hungary. Still produced in smaller quantities.
|
Posted: January 5th, 2009
Categories:
Bock,
Bodri,
Bozóky,
Bussay,
Chateau Megyer,
Csányi,
Degenfeld,
Dereszla,
Ebner,
Eszterbauer,
Eurobor,
Gere Attila,
Gróf Buttler,
Györgykovács,
Gál Tibor,
Heimann,
Heumann,
Hilltop,
Hétszőlő,
Kaló Imre,
Kikelet,
Konyári,
Kreinbacher,
Laposa,
Lesence,
Ludányi,
Légli Ottó,
Malatinszky,
Maurus,
Mayer,
Miklóscsabi,
Monarchia,
Oremus,
Orsolya,
Pannonhalmi,
Pontica,
Ráspi,
Scheller,
Szabó Zoltán,
Szecskő Tamás,
Szt. Gaál,
Takler,
Tamás Pince,
Tornai,
Tóth István,
Velezvin,
Vylyan,
Wine reviews
Tags:
Add new tag,
Bezerics-Németh,
Domane Wachau,
Haleowod,
Jamek,
Leo
Comments:
No Comments.
I’ve been impressed by the outstanding and professional marketing achievements of Hilltop ever since I’ve seen their sexy Rosemount-like diamond label on the shelfs of supermarkets following their years of trade-marketing exercise in the UK. Hilltop is one of the best-run big wineries of Hungary with a remarkable output of over 7 million bottles a year (with an export of 6 million bottles to the UK alone!).
The Hilltop vinyards are simply fabulous. They overlook the Danube valley from heights of few hundreds of meters and their facilities are perfectly located and maintained.
The northern exposure of their slopes always concerned me and no wine has ever convinced me about the river’s heating/cooling mechanism which is supposed to enhance the wines’ quality by compensating for the lack on insolation. But writing an English blog about Hungarian wines I cann’t avoid Hilltop even if I wanted to (which I don’t). So I got this bottle as a present from a friend few days before the birth of their first child (to whom I wish all the best btw, although I doubt that my friend would ever suspect that I’m writing this blog, – no one does).
The review
Hilltop is a mid-range brand of Hilltop Neszmély winery.
The wine has a shiny, moderately light golden colour and a lazy, oily move. It smells honey and unripe apricot (yes, I do realise the apparent contradiction). On the palate it delivers the same savors. You could tell that this is a late harvest dry wine and it’s overly sweet, alhough it’s not. I hope you know what I mean. The sweetness is accompanied by a right amount of acid but it’s not sufficient to compenstate it, nor does the grapefruit flavour.
Score: 3, 3+
Price: HUF 1 400
Posted: July 14th, 2008
Categories:
3 points,
Hilltop,
Wine reviews,
Ászár-Neszmély
Tags:
2006,
white
Comments:
No Comments.
