This is the best Hungarian red wine according to an acknowledged expert

St. Andrea Estate’s red wine received an excellent rating from the eminent international wine expert, James Suckling. This outstanding professional recognition puts the winery’s red wine as the best one in Hungary. Although, it is top-class on an international scale as well.

St. Andrea Estate

As Forbes writes, the St. Andrea Estate was established by György Lőrincz and Jr. György Lőrincz in 2002. Nowadays, every member of the family participates in the family business. James Suckling, the eminent wine expert, visited the St. Andrea Estate in Egerszalók in July. Suckling published his review of Hungarian wines in October, and Agapé 2018 received an outstanding rating. Out of 100 points, it garnered 98. HERE, you can read about the best red wine selected by Winelovers Wine Awards earlier this year.

Source: Facebook / St. Andrea Szőlőbirtok

James Suckling’s report

James Suckling worked for Wine Spectator for almost three decades. Over the years, he gathered a significant amount of experience and knowledge regarding wines, wine tasting and wine rating. Today he runs his own business and rates wines based on his 100-point system. He also provides detailed descriptions of the wines. Suckling wrote the following on his website about St. Andrea Estate’s masterpiece:

His St. Andrea Egri Bikavér Grand Superior Nagy-Eged-Hegy Agapé 2018 was the Hungarian wine of our tastings this summer in Europe. Mostly kekfrankos but with the addition of merlot, pinot noir, syrah and kadarka, the red showed intense aromas of red fruits, flowers and minerals that follow through to a medium to full body with focused and refined tannins and a long finish. It compares to some of the best reds of the world.

Source: Facebook / St. Andrea Szőlőbirtok

International recognition

This is not the first time, and probably neither the last, that St. Andrea Estate received international recognition. Two years ago, their Nagy-Eged Egri Bikavér 2017 was chosen among the world’s top 50 wines at the Decanter World Wine Awards. The owners of the business are stunned by the fact that Suckling visited their estate and gave them such a high ranking. Jr. György Lőrincz said:

The 98 points are pretty amazing. We have always had the feeling that 2018 was probably the best vintage of St. Andrea, but the Agapé from this year actually outshines it. It’s the best wine we have ever had the pleasure of making. We are so grateful!

Hungary boasts some unique landscapes for winemaking, as we have reported, UNWTO included Tokaj in Best Tourism Villages 2023 list. Below, you can see St. Andrea Estate’s limestone soil dunes: