Sauska Cuvée 7 Villány 2021

A blend of three premium vineyards—Ördögárok, Kopár, and Konkoly. The backbone of the wine is Cabernet Sauvignon from Ördögárok, a V-shaped vineyard where warm air becomes trapped, creating an especially warm microclimate that is ideally suited to late-ripening Cabernet Sauvignon. Kopár is perhaps the most renowned vineyard in the region; with its southern exposure, it is considered one of the warmest sites in Hungary, producing wines of great richness and concentration. Konkoly, a neighboring site to Kopár on Mount Szársomlyó, is naturally protected by the hill: it is never excessively hot, and the forest on its northern side provides cooling breezes for the vines. These three iconic—and markedly different—sites together form the foundation of the winery’s flagship wine, the Villány Cuvée 7.

The grapes were hand-harvested and subjected to meticulous three-stage selection. After destemming, the berries underwent 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.

A blend of Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, and Merlot, the wine shows vibrant aromas of blackcurrant and open-fire–roasted red pepper, complemented by notes of graphite, cedar, and licorice derived from oak aging. On the palate, there is a pleasing tension and freshness, with crunchy blackcurrant, black pepper, cigar, and sandalwood flavors. The youthful tannins call for food—grilled meats, barbecue, or steak. A truly memorable experience.