Benedek - Pinot Noir 2022 Matra 750ml (11.5% ABV)

The Benedek family winery lies in the heart of the Mátra Mountains in Hungary.

Péter Benedek is a third-generation winemaker crafting small-batch, traditional wines. He is making wines on his small estate with his father and brother.

It is a small estate nestled in and at one with nature. Their wines reflect the love of their land and the beauty of their craft. Don’t be afraid to try wines from new places because this single vineyard Pinot Noir gives Oregon and Burgundy a run for their money. Everything you want out of your table Pinot and more.

The estate in Gyöngyöstarján is hilly, with good drainage and regular breeze. The topsoil is thin and the deeper layers have a high clay content, which keeps moisture on the vines during the dry summer months. The soil is volcanic, rich with chalk, andesite, and rhyolite. The Pinot Noir is grown on the Tüzköves vineyard, which has 15-year-old vines. It has been organically farmed since 2011.

A touch of spice gives liveliness to the red fruit that waft from the glass, bright red, with aromas of cherries and cranberries. Red forest berries are complemented by delicate pepper and caraway on the palate. Stainless steel only. Waxy, mineral finish.

region: Màtra, Hungary

varietal: pinot noir

style: light red wine

farming & cellar: hand harvested, organic farming. After destemming and crushing, fermentation began in stainless steel tanks. Fermentation was spontaneous with native yeasts. The wine remained with the skins for 6 days. The wine was aged in stainless steel tanks for 6 months. Low sulfites added. No pesticides or herbicides used; pest control with copper and sulfur only

pairing: Grilled Tuna steak beurre rouge pomegranate and caper berries or Pork loin caramelized cipollini onions and candied peaches