Aries is István’s Riesling from old bush vines and it is a stunning expression of its terroir. The nose is floral and stone fruit-driven, with layers of white peach, nectarine, and delicate jasmine, all lifted by a subtle minerality. Aged in amphora, the wine presents a creamy mouthfeel that contrasts beautifully with its extreme tension and remarkable depth. Charming yet powerful, it showcases the potential for aging as long as you can resist not opening it, and without a doubt, it ranks among the most impressive Rieslings you’ll encounter.

Winemaker | István Bencze

Region | Badacsony, Hungary

Variety | Riesling

Viticulture | Biodynamic

Soil | Dense volcanic basalt with some tuff, sandstone, brown forest soil and clay

Altitude | 180 m

Age of the vines | planted in 1972

Bottles made | 1200 bottles

Vinification

The grapes are meticulously harvested during the Aries phase of the moon in September, a time believed to align with optimal expression. Following a slow, delicate whole-bunch pressing, the fruit is transferred to an amphora where it undergoes fermentation and maturation for a minimum of two years. Bottled unfined, unfiltered, and without the addition of SO2, this wine embodies a true, unadulterated reflection of its origins.