Tóth Ferenc Várvédő Egri Bikavér Superior, 2018

A complex, full-bodied superior Eger Bikavér from a hot vintage. The base wines were matured individually for two years in Hungarian oak barrels, in a variety of barrel sizes – 2.25, 5 and 20 hectolitres – and then the final blended was aged for nearly half a year before bottling.

It has very deep aromas dominated by ripe black berry fruit with a hint of subtle oak spice. The palate is thick and complex, with the ripe fruit coming through. The proportions are excellent, the layered, full body is nicely held by the wine’s acidity and ripe tannins. The finish is extremely long.