Zéta ‘Mézes-Mály’, Balassa, Tokaj, Hungary 2011

István Balassa established the winery in 2005 and now farms 14 hectares over 11 plots, producing just 20-25k bottles per year. The grapes from each plot are separately vinified and bottled as a single vineyard wine, aiming truly to reflect the characteristics of that specific plot and the fruit it bears.

What a treat it is to drink a wine produced in such small amounts – only 701 were produced – literally one, or two, barrels.

A deep amber colour, on the nose the wine is bursting with honey, raisin, dried apricot, cinnamon and apple pie, along with a more delicate waxy note. On the palate, more apple, honey, ginger and dried mango, with a depth of vanilla, almond and just a hint of smoke.

Lusciously sweet, (188g/l of sugar matches some of the sweetest Aszu wines, so it’s likely there are some botrytized grapes as well as late harvest), with a crisp acidity balancing the sugar all the way.

Allergen: sulphites