Bencze Birtok Kadarka

Vintage: 2023

Region: Badacsony, Hungary

Grapes: Kadarka

Alcohol: 11% 

Kadarka is famously challenging - thin-skinned, fragile, and demanding meticulous attention – but István Bencze has crafted something exquisitely beautiful from this temperamental variety. His 2023 was harvested in two passes with every cluster individually evaluated, with roughly ¼ hand-destemmed or used as whole clusters and fermented in stoneware amphorae, whilst the remaining ¾ were foot-crushed, settled overnight, and fermented separately in stainless steel. After six days on skins, everything came together in a 228L French oak barrel, topped with the amphora portion, which matured for 11 months before bottling unfiltered, unfined, and with no added SO₂. The result is feather-light yet deeply expressive - lifted red berries, sour cherry, and rose petals on the nose with subtle spices and gentle earthiness. The palate is bright, juicy, and wonderfully transparent, with naturally low tannins carried by vibrant acidity and mineral drive from the volcanic basalt soils of Szent György-hegy. Raspberry, cranberry, and strawberry unfold with hints of exotic spice and a touch of botrytis-derived intrigue. Just 300 bottles from young vines planted in the 2020-2021 vintage - this is István's most poetic interpretation of Kadarka, showing perfection found in imperfection.

Due to the limited availability of this wine (only 2 cases made it to the UK), no discounts are available.