Bencze Birtok Aries

Vintage: 2020

Region: Badacsony, Hungary

Grapes: Riesling

Alcohol: 12.5%

Aries is István's top Riesling from old bush vines planted in 1972 – a more serious sibling to his classic Riesling. The grapes are meticulously harvested during the Aries phase of the moon in September (a time believed to align with optimal expression) from dense volcanic basalt with tuff, sandstone, brown forest soil and clay at 180m. After slow, delicate whole-bunch pressing, the fruit goes into an amphora where it ferments and matures for a minimum of two years. Bottled unfined, unfiltered, without SO₂ – true, unadulterated expression of its origins. The nose is floral and stone fruit-driven with layers of white peach, nectarine, and delicate jasmine, all lifted by subtle minerality. The amphora ageing gives a creamy mouthfeel that contrasts beautifully with extreme tension and remarkable depth. Charming yet powerful with smooth minerality and lovely supple body. This has serious ageing potential if you can resist opening it – without doubt one of the most impressive Rieslings you'll find. Just 1200 bottles of a proper masterpiece that showcases what 50+ year old bush vines can do on volcanic terroir.