Sauska Cuvée 7 Siklós 2021

A blend of two outstanding, uniquely endowed vineyards—Makár and Zuhánya—from Siklós, a sub-region of Villány. The backbone of the wine is provided by Merlot from Makár: thanks to its higher elevation and excellent air circulation, it yields wines that are airy, refined, and beautifully balanced. The younger vineyards of Zuhánya contribute freshness and dynamism to the blend. Together, these two markedly different sites form the foundation of the winery’s flagship wine, the Siklós Cuvée 7.

The grapes were hand-harvested and underwent a meticulous three-stage selection. After destemming, the berries were subjected to a few hours of cold pre-fermentation maceration, followed by fermentation in stainless steel tanks. After 35 days of skin contact, the wine was gently pressed and then aged for 15 months in 225-liter French oak barrels, 30% of which were new. This was followed by 2 years of bottle aging.

The character of Merlot is clearly dominant: rich aromas of blueberry and ripe plum are complemented by finely integrated oak notes of tobacco leaf, nutmeg, and clove. Elegantly floral and spicy on the nose. On the palate, the variety’s signature smoothness and lush, velvety texture prevail, with flavors of dried blackberry, ripe blueberry, cocoa bean, and dark chocolate. The finish is long and layered.

This is a wine that truly rewards decanting—bring out a beautiful decanter and generous, wide-bowled red wine glasses to enjoy it at its best.