Territory
Szekszárd, Hungary
We were among the pioneers in Szekszárd to experiment with barrel aging in small oak casks. The first vintage to undergo this process was the 1994 harvest. We began cautiously with just three barrels, as barrique aging was still relatively unfamiliar territory for Hungarian winemakers at the time. From the very beginning, we have firmly believed that the wood and toasted notes should never overpower the wine's natural character. Since that first year, this blend has consistently been composed of Cabernet Franc (60%) and Merlot (40%). Initially, the proportions were reversed, but in 1997 we switched them and named the blend "Turul." The bold, often slightly rough style of Cabernet Franc is beautifully balanced and softened by the smoothness and charm of Merlot.