Wild mulberry, crushed flower petals, fresh fig center. Acai berry, dried blood, red plum. Powdered paprika and thyme, cold rod iron and wet concrete. Bilberry and raspberry cower in fright behind brash savory rusticity, decaying lumber, and clean herbaceous greens. Brandishing chalky tannin and almost pronounced acidity in a maniacal and medieval display of dominance. A knight decked out in a full suit of armor pillaging his way through a peaceful farming village. This 2013 Egri Bikavér Superior by Kovács Nimrod Winery is a beautifully beastly red in one of Hungary's most famous styles.

Hungary has a long and storied history of wine production dating back thousands of years. Though the sweet wines of Tokaj were Hungary's primary claim to fame this nation also produces many wonderful dry white and red wines. This bottling, crafted by boutique terroir-driven producer Kovács Nimrod, hails from the cool climate wine region of Eger located in the Northwestern portion of the country near the Slovakian border. The wine itself is a Kékfrankos (Blaufränkisch) based red blend also featuring Syrah, Merlot, Cab Franc, and Pinot Noir. This famous style of blend is traditionally called Bikavér, which literally translates to Bull's Blood. It is known for its depth of fruit and savory earthy tones once rumored to have literally come from the addition of a bit of bovine blood to the juice. Decisively old world in style this wine sings with pronounced secondary characteristics of rusty red earth and stone. Classic in its entirety with an ever-so-slightly modern touch. This bottle was extremely impressive - don't sleep on Hungarian wine.