2016 J&J Eger Winery Eged Hegy Kékfrankos

As legend has it, a couple thousand Magyar soldiers protected the walled city of Eger from nearly a hundred thousand Turkish soldiers during a month long siege in 1552. Dumbfounded by the strength and ferociousness of the defenders, the Turks were convinced that the wine that dripped down the beards and armor of the Magyars had been mixed with bull’s blood and had given them super human strength. Afraid, they fled and the city was spared. From then on Egri Bikavér or “Bulls Blood” as the red wines of Eger came to be known, defined the region. Officially, Egri Bikavér is blend with with up to 13 possible grapes with Kékfrankos as the foundation. That said, Kékfrankos can easily stand on its own. Convinced of the regions world class potential, Hungarian born Master Sommelier and 2nd degree black belt János Szabo began to look for a partner with the right vines and talent to collaborate on a 100% Kékfrankos project. Eventually he found himself in the underground cellar of physician and vigneron Dr. János Stumpf. Stumpf, a disciple of Tibor Gál, a local hero and internationally known winemaker of the legendary Super-Tuscan Ornalia, had both. Although Gál was tragically lost in a car wreck in 2004, he also believed in Eger’s immense potential. Together, their partnership has resulted in the revival of one of Hungary’s greatest red wines.

VINEYARDS

Dr. Stumpf dry farms approximately 15 hectares of vines on the south facing hill of Eged. Split between 2 vineyards with very similar conditions, Sik Dülö and Eged-Hegy Dülö (Eged Hill Vineyard) they produce strikingly complementary grapes. Both are on a base of almost pure limestone on a 20% grade and perfectly situated about half way up the hill. Already proven in the limestone rich soils of Burgundy, the middle of the hill is the best. The top is deficient in nutrients and water and the bottom is an excess of both. Vine age averages 40+ years.

WINE MAKING

Geared toward minimal intervention, the cellar is very traditional. Dug into the soft but sturdy volcanic tuffa, J&J joins the labyrinth of barrel filled caves that crisscross below the streets of Eger. Cool and damp with barely any temperature fluctuation, it’s an ideal environment for fermentation and elevage. The 2009 100% Kékfrankos was fermented with native yeast in large local Hungarian Oak fermenters with manual cap management. Aged in mostly large 500L barrels (3/4 new) allowed for very slow oxidation and a more nuanced influence of oak. After an average of 20 months in barrel and kept in separate lots until the final blend, racking was the main means of clarification. All wines were bottled unfiltered and stored for a minimum of 1 year before release.