As promised, a wine out of the ”more expensive” range.
Tulipán, the top wine of Ikon, a winery in the south of the Balaton region. In a city called Balatonlelle part of the Balatonboglár wine region. Little did I know that they were located only 20 km from where I stayed two weeks ago. They currently own 39 hectares of wine fields with only red grapes on it, Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, Merlot, Syrah and Pinot Noir. For the white grapes they are in cooperation with the local vine-growers and other wineries.
Tulipán won a gold medal in the national wine competition of 2012, in 2013 they have received a silver medal in the same competition.
The cuvée is made from Merlot, Cabernet Franc, Cabernet Sauvignon and Syrah. Fermented in steel tanks and soaked for 21 days then it ages in new Hungarian Barrique barrels for 16 months.
The wine is full bodied, has very elegant tannins and is dark red.
There is oak in the nose, some red fruits and a smoky smell but really not dominant, great in balance.
On the tongue the oak is back in combination of a smoky flavor and a really nice sour cherry taste.
In the aftertaste you have a very dry feeling cause of the high amounts of tannin.
The wine should be accompanied by food and not be drank on its own.
The price of this wine was 5500 Hungarian forints, that is roughly 20 euros. That is the retail price at this moment as well… but I expect this price might go up in time.
I advice everyone to try this wine out, it is a real pearl and the price is democratic and definitely not overpriced.
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