A.GERE | Tempranillo | 2021
tempranillo

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The history of the Gere Attila Winery stretches back seven generations, rooted in a family legacy that values tradition and innovation. Attila Gere has become a key figure in the modern winemaking renaissance in Villány, emphasizing respect for the soil and meticulous selection of grape varieties. His commitment to innovating traditional methods, particularly by utilizing indigenous yeast strains, makes his wines true representations of the unique Villány terroir.
Today we are going to review a quite captivating wine from Villány, which is one of Hungary‘s most famous wine regions – Tempranillo 2021 by Gere Attila Winery. Tempranillo is a spanish grape variety that for a long time was ignored by the outside world as a slightly rustic grape of strictly local appeal. Nowadays, tempranillo is recognized as a noble grape variety that can make firm, bold and age-worthy wines. It is the main grape variety of red Rioja wines and is known under several aliases: tinto fino or tinto del país in the Ribera del Duero region, tinta de toro in the Toro region, cencibel and valdepeñas in Valdepeñas and Manchuela regions, ull de llebre and ojo de liebre in Catalonia and finally tinta roriz and aragonês in Portugal. When the right tempranillo clone is grown on the right spot of land, without excessive yields and with real care, it can produce incredibly age-worthy wines.

The wine we are reviewing today is made with 100% tempranillo grapes, sourced from the winery’s Ördögárok vineyard, recognized for its ability to produce high-quality red wines and, in order to soften the tannins and add a layer of extra complexity to the final wine, but at the same time, to preserve the varietal characteristic of the tempranillo grape variety, it has been aged for 14 months in used (second fill) oak barriques.

Nestled in southern Hungary, Villány is one of the country’s most prestigious wine regions. Benefiting from a warm and dry climate with mediterranean influences, the region provides excellent conditions for cultivating red grape varieties. The long and sunny growing season ensures rich concentration in the fruit, while cool nights help preserve freshness and balance. The soils here are primarily clay and loam, with limestone and loess sub-soil, offering both good moisture retention and mineral depth that encourage healthy vine growth and complex flavor development. This unique terroir yields structured wines that with remarkable depth. While Cabernet Franc is the region’s champion grape variety, producing elegant and complex wines, Villány is also famous for its Kékfrankos, Merlot, and Cabernet Sauvignon wines.

color: medium-deep | ruby color
clarity: hazy garnet shades at the rim

The wine presents a medium-deep ruby color, with hazy garnet shades at the rim that suggest vibrancy and depth, indicative of its youthful yet concentrated profile.

intensity: rich & vibrant
fruit character: ripe

On the first nose, this wine is rich and vibrant, showcasing an aromatic profile of ripe red fruits, including red cherry, red plum, and redcurrant. A spicy element surfaces through notes of red pepper and paprika, underpinned by an enticing wine-derived oak aroma encompassing cloves, tobacco, and sun-dried oak.

sweetness: dry | acidity: high | alcohol: medium+ | tannin: high | balance: good
finish: medium+ | aftertaste: crispy-tart

On the palate, the wine feels crisp and grippy, with a seedy texture on the mouthfeel. It exhibits a ripe fruit character, amplified by bright acidity, well-integrated alcoholic warmth, and pleasantly-seedy tannins. The medium finish leaves a slightly tart aftertaste, reinforcing the wine’s balanced and overall structure.

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

Overall, this is a wine exemplifies the potential of the Villány‘s unique terroir in producing high-quality wines. It is bold yet youthful, with a structured profile that suggests a nice ageing potential, therefore the wine would definitely benefit from a few more years of bottle aging.

A.GERE | Tempranillo | 2021
variety: tempranillo
country: Hungary
region: Villány
rating: 93.2

Consider pairing this wine with a dish of roasted duck breast accompanied by a cherry reduction sauce. The wine’s bright acidity will cut through the richness of the duck, while its ripe fruit profile will harmonize beautifully with the dish’s flavors, creating a delightful tasting experience.

This wine is a testament to the genuine potential and terroir of Villány wine region, which can be best described as a journey of quality and passion captured in each bottle. Cheers!

Villány, with its rich viticultural history, is not just known for its exceptional wines but also for its picturesque landscapes that draw wine enthusiasts from afar. Under the stewardship of Attila Gere, the region has gained international recognition by keeping the much-desired harmony between tradition and innovation in winemaking. A.Gere’s commitment to tradition and family values, paved the way for local collaborations among regional farmers, thus creating a cooperative spirit that enriches the Villány’s potential and the unity of the winemaking community.

© 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. Cheers!