TAKLER | Gurovicai | Kékfrankos | 2020
blaufränkisch

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Today we are are going to review a single varietal blaufränkisch and single vineyard wine from Szekszárd wine region, located in the south of Hungary – Gurovicai Kékfrankos 2020 by Takler. Blaufränkisch is a very old, austrian grape variety – a cross between blauer zimmettraube and weißer heunisch. It was widely-planted throughout the Habsburg Monarchy and today it is the most important variety in Mittelburgenland, in Austria. It has many aliases: called limberger in Germany, lemberger in Washington state, franconia in Friuli, gamé in Bulgaria (it was once confused with gamay), kékfrankos in Hungary, burgund mare in Romania, frankovka modrá in Slovakia, modra frankinia in Slovenia and frankovka in Croatia and Czech Republic – internationally also known as the ‘Blue of the Danube‘. Blaufränkisch can yield wines with dense structure and prominent tannins. These wines are often impetuous in their youth, but develop velvety facets with age. Blaufränkisch shows an almost cabernet sauvignon-like ability to adapt to different terroirs, both, as fruity, high-volume wines and as intense, full bodied, single vineyard examples. This particular wine is made of kékfrankos grapes that were picked form the Gurovicai vineyard in Szekszárd, planted on red clay soil. In order to preserve the varietal characteristics of the blaufränkisch grape variety, this wine has been fermented and aged in 500-liters, wooden vats, made of hungarian oak. 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: medium-pale ruby color
clarity: hazy ruby shades on the rim

//Olfactory
intensity: rich & savory
fruit character: ripe

On the first nose, this wine unveils a burst of ripe fruits with nuanced savory hints that immediately captures attention. The foreground reveals a symphony of red fruits (sour cherry, cranberry and redcurrant), their sweetness harmonizing with subtle savory undertones, creating a delightful interplay on the senses. The background reveals an earthy essence that intertwines seamlessly with a pronounced spicy character, grounding the fruitiness in a rich tapestry, dominated by notes of old leather, brown olive and red clay. A layer filled with subtle hints of oak emerge in between, providing more complexity and depth to the wine’s already generous aromatic profile.

//Palate
sweetness: dry | acidity: high | alcohol: high | tannin: medium | balance: good
finish: medium+ | aftertaste: bitter-seedy

On the palate, this wine unfolds with a captivating dance of flavors that mirrors its aromatic promise: a harmonious mix of ripe and dried red fruits seamlessly accompanied by nuanced earthy and savory notes. On the mouthfeel the wine delivers crisp acidity and ripe tannins that provide structure, revealing a firm touch of alcoholic warmth to round up the palate, thus forming a round and ample body, offering an inviting presence, with a seedy undertones that adds structure and offers a terroir-driven rustic charm. The finish lingers with a bitter-seedy aftertaste, leaving a memorable impression.

//Verdict
maturity: developing | drink now or in the next 2-3 years
verdict: fine | highly recommended | a wine of premium quality with good potential

All in all, this is a rustic and savory blaufränkisch/kékfrankos wine, that offers a very appealing and rich experience, reflecting an old-world style of vinification, it stands as a terroir-driven wine, showcasing genuine varietal typicity that speaks to its origin and heritage. However, in its current state, this wine lacks a bit of finesse and elegance on the palate, revealing a robust character that could benefit from a couple more years of bottle ageing. Despite this, the wine’s authentic expression and terroir-driven character make it a noteworthy choice for any wine enthusiasts seeking an authentic rustic journey through the Europe’s oldest vineyards.

//Scoring
TAKLER | Gurovicai | Kékfrankos | 2020
variety: blaufränkisch
country: Hungary
region: Szekszárd
rating: 93.6
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This is definitely a fine wine of Hungary and, with a total of 93.6 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: Judging by the wine’s rustic and savory flavor profile, we would recommend to delve into the rich culinary traditions of Hungary by pairing this wine with a classic hungarian goulash. The pronounced savory notes in the wine will resonate beautifully with the hearty and flavorful stew, while the ripe tannins and seedy undertones in the wine will find harmony with the tender chunks of beef. In the same key, the wine’s crisp acidity will cut through the richness of the goulash, creating a well-balanced symphony of flavors. This pairing not only pays homage to the wine’s old world style, but also celebrates its authentic, terroir-driven experience, making it into a delightful gastronomic journey. Enjoy!

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