This has been a long time in the making. Over a decade ago, Heimann, along with 10 or so other producers in Szekszárd, re-introduced Siller as “Fuxli” into the market. Somewhere in between a rosé and a light red, it was meant to revive a style lost during Communism. It was more of a dark, reductive, and slightly bitter rosé often meant to be used for a Fröccs (aka spritz). Since then, what is a Siller has been reinterpreted and in our opinion, become one of the most delicious wines in Central Europe. We now have versions from Austria, Serbia, Romania, Slovakia and more than 5 from Hungary. It’s now time for an update from Zoltán Heimann. This is the inaugural vintage of their Piros (red) Siller. It’s a blend of Kékfrankos, Merlot and Sagrantino (cuttings from Umbria planted in the Bati Kereszt vineyard). Everything is foot tread, direct pressed and exclusively fermented and aged in concrete. The stem inclusion does give off some woodiness, but zero barrels were used. The Sagrantino gives a particular kind of grip (likely the only planting in Hungary), while the direct pressed Kékfrankos and Merlot add fruit, meatiness, and lift. Spicy, fresh, and chillable non glou-glou goodness from Southern Hungary.