Description
Péter Vida is the master of subtle wines in Szekszárd, a warm, southern Hungarian region where balance and finesse are often hard to come by. This is his flagship wine—predominantly Merlot (90 percent), which is spiced up by Cabernet Sauvignon (6 percent), Kadarka (3 percent), and Syrah (1 percent). The grapes come from vines ranging from eight to 100 years old from chalky loess soils with red clay from the Virághegy, Bakta, Hidaspetre, and Lisztes vineyards, and from very low yields. Grapes were hand-harvested in the first two weeks of October, using manual bunch selection. The wine underwent fermentation at 79°F for 15 days, followed by malolactic fermentation in stainless-steel tanks for six months. It was then aged in already used 500 liter barrels for 18 months. After blending, it was aged in the tank for another six months. It’s a deep ruby colored wine, with pronounced aromas of raspberry, cranberry, cedar, and earthiness. It’s a full-bodied wine with medium tannins. Yet, it’s very elegant and complex, with expertly integrated oak and a beautifully balanced, really long finish. It’s a great partner for game dishes and all red meat-based meals. It’s also delicious with dark chocolate.
