“Anyone who has ever stood in front of a mosaic wall in awe knows that the different pieces together create something that is much more than the sum of the pieces. Exactly like Szekszrd’s traditional marriage of Bikavr. It is made up of local and international varieties, which makes it truly unique. Rich in flavour, full of forest fruits, silky texture.”
Csilla Sebestyn

Assemblage: Kkfrankos 52%, Cabernet Franc 18%, Merlot 17%, Cabernet Sauvignon 8%, Kadarka 5%.

The Sebestyn winery was established in 1998 in the Szekszrd region by brother and sister team Csaba and Csilla Sebestyn. The Szekszrd region, which covers 2,300 hectares, is one of the historic and climatically ideal regions for wine in Hungary and forms part of the larger Pannonia region, located in the south of the country.

The duo currently work 18 hectares. Their main grape variety is Kkfrankos, a local grape which provides the backbone of Bikavr, as well as Kadarka, one of the most ancient varieties in the Szekszrd region with wines produced from old bush vines of 60+ years old. All grapes are hand harvested and undergo strict manual selection to ensure the best quality.

Their red wines are fermented in open vats after being inoculated with selected yeast and they carry out punching down regularly during fermentation. A short maceration is then followed by the racking of the wines into oak barrels. The malolactic fermentation occurs spontaneously. The wines are aged for between 12 and 30 months.

With minimal intervention techniques adhered to in both the vineyards and cellar to allow for the most unfettered expressions of terroirs, the wines are utterly contemporary in style and bursting with freshness and complexity.

“This is dark-fruited with spiced and earthy notes and some herbaceous hints to it. Medium- to full-bodied and dry with polished tannins and tense acidity. Its refined and fluid, showing harmony and focus. Juicy and flavorful finish. Drink now. Screw cap.”
92 points. Stuart Pigott, jamessuckling.com (July 2023)