A.GERE | Kopar | Villányi Cuvée | 2018
cabernet franc | merlot | cabernet sauvignon

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Among experienced wine drinkers, Gere Kopar Villányi Cuvée has been the symbol of excellence for more than 20 years. The first Kopár was made in 1997, and over the years the wine hasn’t changed much. It’s only made in the best years, within which two types of vintages can be distinguished: some vintages deliver richness and abundance because they have everything in it, while other vintages deliver power and complexity, like for example the 2017 vintage. And then, there are also rare vintages that can deliver elegance and finesse, which result in beautiful wines that can reflect all the subtle nuances of the local terroir. The 2018 was such a year.

Today we are going to review a wine of exceptional quality that comes from Villány, which is Hungary‘s warmest wine region  – Kopar Villányi Cuvée 2018 by Gere Attila Winery. This is the winemaker’s flagship wine – a Bordeaux-styled blend, made only in the best years (previously reviewed: 2015, 2016 and 2017), a wine that is rightly considered as a reference point for many hungarian red blends. It is made with all three of Villány‘s main red grape varieties: 50% cabernet franc, 40% merlot and 10% cabernet sauvignon, that were sourced only from the estates’s best vineyards in Kopár, Konkoly, Csillagvölgy and Ördögárok, where cabernet franc forms the main body and brings on the local terroir notes to the flavour profile, merlot adds up-front richness and suppleness on the palate, while cabernet sauvignon enhances the wine’s structure and brings black fruits notes to the forefront. In order to preserve its individuality and protect the varietal characteristics of the three grape varieties, the wine has been fermented using only selected, indigenous yeast strains, then part of the blend has been aged for 16 months in 300-litre Zemplén hungarian oak barriques, from which 70% new oak, while the other part of the blend has been aged in big (10-20-hectolitre) and used oak barrels. But enough with all that theory, that said and without further ado, let’s take a look at the wine tasting results.
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Take a look at the tasting notes below and our detailed assessment of the wine:

//Visual
colour: deep | garnet color
clarity: hazy | copper shades

//Olfactory
intensity: pronounced | fruity-herbal
fruit character: overripe | dehydrated

On the first nose, the wine exhibits an overripe and dehydrated fruit character with aromas of red plum, cranberry, sour cherry, pomegranate and redcurrant, with some dried cranberry and dried sour cherry notes in the background. The second layer reveals underlying notes of well-integrated oak, with some subtle earthy hints of clay, loam, and marl, that are typical of wines with terroir-driven complexity. Last but not least, the wine also displays notes of red pepper, paprika, cloves and anise, as well as some herbal aromas of sorrel, plantago, thyme, rosemary, eucalyptus and wormwood, adding thus to its aromatic depth and complexity.

//Palate
sweetness: dry | acidity: high | alcohol: high | tannin: high | balance: good
finish: long | aftertaste: crisp & seedy

On the palate, this wine offers an immediate burst of bright acidity that is counter-balanced with seedy-ripe tannins, thus forming a firm but ample palate with a voluptuous mouthfeel. A touch of well-integrated alcoholic warmth leads to a crisp and seedy aftertaste, enriched by ripe and overripe red fruit flavors, that are nicely complemented by subtle notes of oak and earthiness, adding even more complexity to the wine’s already impressive taste profile. The long finish allows all those flavors to develop on the palate and linger longer after each sip, creating a very satisfying experience that only the greatest of wines can deliver.

//Verdict
maturity: developing | drink now or in the next 2 to 3 years
verdict: great | a must try wine | a wine that has all the traits to become legendary

Overall, this is a well-structured and complex wine blend, expertly crafted to highlight the very best that those grape varieties are capable to deliver in the Villány terroir. The wine’s vibrant and velvety mouthfeel would be a true delight for any wine connoisseur, offering a sense of place, elegance, and finesse in the glass – a would make a great addition to any wine enthusiast’s collection.

//Scoring
A.GERE | Kopar | Villányi Cuvée | 2018
variety: cabernet franc | merlot | cabernet sauvignon
country: Hungary
region: Villány
rating: 95.0

//Prediction
predicted rating: 91+
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This is definitely a great wine of Hungary and, with a total of 95.0 points scored, this wine is right there, among the best wines we’ve rated so far. Check our complete database on the wine rating page, where you can find all the wines that we have tasted and reviewed or go to the about us page and find out more about our exquisite rating system.

Pairing: With its rich and delicate, terroir-driven flavour profile, this wine would pair beautifully with a dish of rustic, peppercorn filet mignon steak, as the wine’s ample palate would complement the delicate and hearty flavors of the dish, while the wine’s velvety textures would provide a nice contrast to the rustic nature of the meat, thus adding more depth to the pairing. Enjoy!

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© The WineStatistics ratings are based solely on our own knowledge of the world of wine and on our personal wine tastes, which may, or may not, differ from yours – the reader. Just remember that there are no absolutes of right and wrong in wine appreciation.