Although the tasting team did not aim to decipher Bikavér/Bulls Blood as a genre and within that the Egri Bikavér (there is Szekszárd Bikavér too), but in my humble opinion the winemakers do not know what they want to sell under the name of Bikavér, as the numerous different styles and of course the prices show. The name is undoubtedly good, perhaps it has managed to shed the onerous legacy of forty years of mass production, but there is still confusion in the force after the 990HUF Egri Bikavér and the 50,000HUF Egri Bikavér are both Bikavér. Equally difficult is the aforementioned question of style, where perhaps the grape varieties and proportions could be played with more rigor, but in such cases I always ask myself: is this absolutely necessary? Is it really a problem if we cannot articulate what an Egri Bikavér is like? Is it not enough to say that it is a cool climate, volcanic red wine? Of course, from the point of view of sales and marketing, I know that it is not, but I am not sure that everything should be subordinated to marketing, even creative freedom and creativity. Anyway, I've already said that no answer has been found, so let's move on to the wines, or rather the wine descriptions.
Bolyki Egri Bikavér 2020 Öreghegy Grand Superior I 88 points
Deeper than medium ruby colour. On the nose it has a nose of black cherries, sour cherries, a little punch, spiciness, nice intensity. On the palate medium body cool climate red with nice acidity, tight but not drying tannins, lots of crushed and stewed fruit. A little bitterness on the finish. Good proportions, a joy to drink.
Kovács Nimród Rhapsody Egri Bikavér 2022 I 87 points
Deeper than medium pale ruby colour. Fresh red berries, cherries, a little powder, talcum powder, sweet spices in the background. Medium bodied, vibrant acidity, red berry forest fruits, heather, cherry, currant. The finish is medium. A modern face to the Bull's blood.
Csutorás Cellar Grandfather's wine 1968 Egri Bikavér GS 2022 I 84 points
More than medium pale ruby colour. On the nose, sweet spices, punch, red and predominantly black berry fruits, blackberry jam. In the mouth it has a medium body, with lively acidity, fruit notes, blackberries, strawberries and a hint of flinty. The tannins are a little drying, rough and there seems to be a touch of perfume (somebody said VA) on the nose.
Böjt Bikavér Superior selection 2022 I 85 points
Medium ruby colour with purple reflections. The nose is overwhelmingly fruity with a hint of punch, nothing extra, but clean and fruity. Tasting medium body, vibrant acidity, graphite, pepper, fruitiness in the background. The finish is medium, dominated by wood.
Thummerer Egri Bikavér Superior 2021 I 90 points
Medium ruby colour. Restrained nose, tiny leather, black berries, aftershave. Tasting it, good balance, firm but ripe tannins, lively acidity, lots of spice, pepper, star anise, along with black berry fruit, medium finish. Nothing hanging out, fresh yet complex.
Böjt Bikavér Superior selection 2021 I 87 points
Medium ruby colour with slight purple reflections. On the nose, vanilla sugar, raisins, blackberries, black berries. More than medium body, firm tannins, a little rough, lively acidity, black cherry, sour cherry, graphite on the palate, drying tannins at the end of the sip. The finish is longer than medium.
St. Andrea Nagy-Eged Bikavér GS 2021 I 87 points
Deeper than medium ruby colour. The nose is slightly saturated, with a hint of perfume, tannins that seem unripe, and a black berry, chocolatey ripeness, as if the wine has two faces. Tight structure, lively acidity, cherry, pepper, leather, vibrancy. The finish is longer than medium.
Csutorás Cellar Volcanic Noir Egri Bikavér superior 2021 I 90 points
Pale ruby colour with brick reflections. On the nose, it has a hint of wet paper, leatheriness, heather jam, green notes and sweet spices. Tasted with a slightly more than medium body, lively acidity, nice fruitiness, with a hint of pepper and cloves in the background. The finish is longer than medium, salty. Super!
Bukolyi Marcell Egri Bikavér Nagy-Eged GS reserve 2021 I 93 points
Deeper than medium ruby colour, almost unfiltered, with a juicy look. At first glance, the nose is slightly sultry, then depth and complexity, chalk and rocky minerality, could this be the single vineyard? Tasting then, a little more than medium body, lively acidity, firm structure, ripe tannins, lots of fruit, good balance, minerality, long finish. Wow!
Stumpf Pince Nagy-Eged Bikavér GS 2019 I 89 points
A slightly paler than medium ruby colour. Nice and clear fruitiness on the nose, red and black berries, a little spice in the background. Medium body, lively acidity, ripe tannins, overwhelming fruitiness on the palate. A slight chalky feel, the finish is long and slightly savoury.
Tóth Ferenc Egri Bikavér superior 2021 I 85 points
More than medium deep ruby colour. Aroma of soaked dog, old cellar, volcanic tuff. More than medium body, concentrated, with a tiny nose, round acidity and soft tannins. On the palate, this tuffy openness comes through, which the team assesses as corkiness, but I don't think it is. A concentrated wine with a long finish.
Gál Tibor Soli Deo Gloria Egri Bikavér Barrel Selection 2021 I 92 points
Medium ruby colour with a purple rim. On the nose, graphite, blackberry, cherry, black berry fruit, increasing minerality, irony atmosphere. Medium body, juicy feel, dense texture, ripe tannins, round acidity, broad palate and concentrated with lots of fruit and minerality, spicy finish
Egersoul Alpha Egri Bikavér superior 2020 I 90 points
More than medium pale ruby colour. Restrained nose, nice fruitiness, nothing hanging out, harmonious. Tasted medium body, lively acidity, nice fruit, barely tannins, very cohesive, finish is only medium but very well proportioned and very drinkable.
Kovács Nimród Jazz Egri Bikavér superior 2019 I 90 points
More than medium pale ruby colour with garnet reflexes. A bit tired at first glance, with a spicy, earthy nose, but then it finds itself, cherry candies, raspberry jam, coconut, spiciness. Tasted medium bodied, brisk acidity, ripe barely tannins, again cool climate vibe, with cocoa, chocolate, hechsedli, cherry jam, long sweet finish. Very drinkable, international style wine, anywhere, anytime.
St. Andrea Agapé Egri Bikavér GS 2019 I 95 points
Medium ruby colour with brick reflections. Sage and flint on the nose, blackberry and chocolate, cherry and purple flowers, sourcherry and tiny lavender. Tasted over medium-bodied, it has a core, concentrated, deep, dense texture yet elegant, with vibrant acidity, complex and deep flavors with an endless finish.
Gál Lajos Wine of Péter 2002 I 90 points
Medium garnet colour. A hint of rum punch, tanned leather and candy-grass on the nose, with increasing minerality. Medium body, brisk acidity, cherry and rosehip, tiny leather, hay and herbs, tiny tobacco and turmeric, curry and cherry compote. Super!
