Bencze Pinot Noir 2022 1.5L

István on this wine: “Our entry-level, fruity, easy-going Pinot Noir from the bottom part of the vineyard called Rókalyuki. The soil here is mainly clay, sand, and sandstone, with much less basalt than in the upper parts of the vineyard. Over hundreds of years, the basalt dust from erosion made its way to the bottom part of the plot, enriching it with some volcanic spicy touch.”

Vineyard: Rókalyuki. Clay, sand, sandstone with some eroded basalt lying on limestone-chalk subsoil. Planted in 1999. Estate-owned and biodynamically farmed by István himself (Demeter-certified). 

Making of: hand harvest. The destemmed berries fermented in 1000L open tanks, with remontages and a gentle pigeage twice a day. Fermentation on the skin for 10 days. Aging in Burgundy-size small barrels (49% 5th-load, 32% 1st-load), 12% stoneware vessels, 7% stainless steel until next June. Bottled without fining or filtration, zero sulfur added.

Personality: easy-drinking yet still sophisticated Pinot Noir – a lovely lighter-style red for any moment.

-Jenny and Francois Selections