Strekov Frankie Red 2021 750ml

“Fred’s more elegant brother,” in Zsolti’s own words. An atypical red-white blend of old-vine Cabernet Sauvignon, Frankovka and Gruner Veltliner “that comes from Strekov and goes to Hollywood,” like the famous 1980s pop group. 

Grapes: 2021 is 60% Alibernet, 25% Portugieser and 15% Frankovka (Blaufränkisch aka Frankie)

Vineyard: blend of Zsolti’s vineyards, all certified organic. Clay-loam topsoil with a high level of calcium on marine sediments. 

Making of: the varieties were vinified separately, in a similar way: handpicked between September and October, destemmed but not crushed. Fermented for a few weeks in open casks with gentle stirring by hand, no added selected yeasts or other additives, no temperature control. The free-run juice spent 7 months in old 220-liter oak barrels. Blended and rested for a month together. Bottled by gravity without fining, filtration or SO2 the following summer.

Personality: perky red mingling the Blaufrankisch / Alibernet dark fruit, earthy tangy notes and velvet tannins with refreshing acidity and smooth feel. A masterful easy-drinking red by the one and only Zsolt…

-Jenny and Francois Selections