The St. Andrea winery is run by Dr. György Lőrinc, one of Hungary’s best winemakers and previously named winemaker of the year. The winemaking style of György (nicknamed “Gyuri”) was deeply influenced by his travels through Burgundy, and the winery prides itself in creating truly elegant wines, both red and white, that are true to the soil and traditions of the region.
Bull’s Blood (Bikavér) is one of my favourite classic red blends usually based on the Kékfrankos (Blaufränkisch) grape variety. Done well, it is fruity, elegant and well refined. While its past quality had a bit of a mixed feelings within the wine connoisseurs, it is on the comeback as an increasing number of winemakers are now making Bikavér to showcase the Eger wine region’s fruity, elegant and smooth style.
The 2016 Áldas Egri Bikavér is a powerful, strong-charactered, solid-textured wine with great ageing potential. On the nose has a mixture of aromas that delivers spiciness, ripe fruit and tobacco. A beautiful, also fruity palate all balanced by an exceptional minerality of the volcanic soil and the sharp yet fine acids offered by the cool climate that Eger has to offer.
Bikavér is always a blend of at least four red varieties, and this one has no more and no less than eight; Kékfrankos 33%, Merlot 28%, Cabernet franc, 18%, Pinot noir 11%, Syrah 4%, Cabernet sauvignon 3%, Kadarka 2%, Turán 1%
Wines like this make definitely clear why Dr. Lőrincz has won all of Hungary’s winemaking awards, including “Winemaker of the Year” and “Winemakers’ Winemaker”.
''At the end of the day, you really can’t make a wrong choice.
As long as you pay attention to what it is that you don’t like about a wine
each bottle will get you closer to what you do like.
Take it one glass at a time!''