HUNGARY

József Bock's family arrived from Germany and settled in the region of Villány, Hungary in the 18th century. In 1956 people of German origin were evicted, but Bock's hospitalized father, Antal, refused to leave. A few years later, he bought back a tiny plot of his family's original vineyard on Jammertal Hill. A region most notably known for its rich red wines. Their family established a successful viticulture business and continued their investments in the land. After the difficult Socialist rule their business began to thrive in the new markets. Over nine generations later, József Bock's winemaking has been recognized in many international and domestic competitions and have garnered dozens of gold medals and special awards. By 1997, he was named Hungary's Producer Of The Year.

This is a sophisticated, velvety, well balanced and big mouth feel Cabernet Franc. A lovely garnet color, the intense black fruit character harmonizes well with the rich, but refined tannins. The wine is aged in the traditional way in large Hungarian Oak barrels. Will age well for the next 5 to 8 years.

Egervary's 2011 Szekszardi Bikaver is made from 30% Cabernet Sauvignon; 25% Kekfrankos (Blaufrankisch); 10% Cabernet Franc and 10% Merlot.
Bikavér is a traditional, Kékfrankos based blend of international and autochton varieties. A straightforward, fruit driven wine with ripe dark berry fruit character and soft, spicy, smoky overtones.
Food recommandation: pork, beef, wild boar and fowl

WINERY NOTES - "Our aim is to produce some of the finest white wines of the world. We have all the potential. The unique, high profile local variety, the Furmint, and the world’s most complex mineral bedrocks providing unique taste and structure for the wines produced in the right philosophy. Everything is happening in the vineyards. The target is to harvest perfectly ripe healthy grapes which express the particular character of the growing area. We apply strict yield control therefore minerality can be expressed. For fresh style we avoid oxidation from harvest to ageing thus the wine in the bottle is capable to show the unique character of the vineyards of Mád."

The Patricius 2014 Dry Furmint is a racy dry white from Hungary's famous Tokaj (Tokay) region. On the nose there are aromas of apples, stone fruits and guava. The stone fruit flavors on the palate are nicely balanced by the crisp, dry finish. For centuries, Hungary has been home to some of the most sought after wines on earth. The luscious, late harvest, botrytized wines from the Tokaj area in north-eastern Hungary have been described as "the king of wines and wine of kings". The unique qualities of the dessert wines from Tokaj warranted the world's first appellation system - over 100 years before Bordeaux. The Patricius winery also makes dessert wines but their Dry Furmint (a distant relative of Chardonnay) gives you delicious fruit flavors without sweetness. Serve with fish, seafood, chicken, mild curries or sushi.

Hungary’s sweet Tokaji (Tokay) wines have been considered one of the world’s greatest dessert wines since at least the Middle Ages. Wines labeled Aszú are made from late harvest, botrytis-affected Furmint and Harslevelu grapes with a small percentage of Muscat. 5 Puttonyos indicates the richness and sweetness level of this impressive wine.

WINE SPECTATOR 90 POINTS - "The apricot, kumquat and honey flavors are tinged by lanolin in this medium-sweet white. Racy acidity keeps this fresh and lively on the lingering aftertaste. Drink now through 2020."

More intense, this wine is produced from the company's 1st growth vineyards. Blended from declassified wines, quantities are always dependent on the quality of each vintage. As in all aszu wines, the three grape varieties are Furmint, Hárslevelu and Muscat de Lunel. The characteristics are a vivid gold colour with honeyed apricot and orange peel flavours which are uplifted with dramatic acidity.
Lovely, bright, old gold appearance. Elegant and well-integrated of spices, honey, honey- suckle and acacia. Develops on the palate into a complex array of exotic fruits with a finish of tremendous length.

Hungary's remarkable Tokaj region has enjoyed royal patronage for 400 years. From the country's most exciting cellar, this is a divine sweet white - not a traditional Tokaji but a Late Harvest wine with intense honeyed fruit and brilliant freshness.

WINE ADVOCATE 95 POINTS - "The 2008 Tokaji Aszu Betsek 6-Puttonyos is another fabulous 2008 to add to the Royal Tokaji Company’s roster. The nose is as clean as a whistle: beautifully delineated with candied orange peel, honeysuckle and resinous scents, the latter becoming more accentuated with about 20 minutes aeration. The palate is underpinned by the razor-sharp acidity that lends this Tokaji so much freshness and vitality. It is a feisty little thing like the 2007, but the 2008 displays even better control and focus. The tangy marmalade-infused finish rivets you to the spot, and those spicy white pepper notes just add another level to an already superb Tokaji. Throw out the Sauternes! This brilliant Tokaji will last decades, not years."

The Royal Tokaji Wine Company, founded in 1990, has become one of the most defining wineries in Tokaj. It is the oldest winery founded by foreign investors, including Hugh Johnson, one of the most renowned wine authors in the world. From the outset, Royal Tokaji decided to concentrate on producing single-growth wines from the first class growths of Nyulaszo, Szt Tamas and Betsek, as well as Mezes Maly, which is one of the two Great First Growths in the region.
The largest of Royal Tokaji’s first growth vineyards, Betsek Vineyard is shaped like a half-moon and tilted northeast. The area where the vineyard is located is typically cold – lower portions of the vineyard have been known to actually freeze in the spring. The soil is dark humus mixed with volcanic clay, producing weighty, pungent wines with an earthy character.