BALASSA Szent Tamás Furmint 2019

The "Szent Tamás" is one of the six historic grand cru of Mád, the mythical terroir of the Tokaj region. This is a special wine from one of Tokaj’s most coveted vineyards. The Szent Tamás slope is the home of some of the most outstanding white wines made in Tokaj, and Balassa’s Szent Tamás Furmint is definitely among them. A blast of typical tropical Furmint notes, layers and layers of minerality, a wide and smooth body and a long-lasting finish. Selected grapes from 40-60-year-old vines, precise and careful winemaking, small quantities. Already drinking wonderfully now, but can age for many years.

Wineanorak – Jamie Goode

13.5% alcohol. This is a really intense expression of Furmint with lovely lime and lemon aromas as well as some lemon peel and marmalade character, and even a hint of apricot. In the mouth, the keen acidity provides a backbone, and the lemon and lime characters dominate, although there are some richer apricot characters in the mix too. Really intense and concentrated, and this should age beautifully with all these dense flavours and the high acidity. It’s interesting that this has, to use a sound analogy, lots of bass, little mid, and lots of treble. Lovely stuff with a crystalline finish. Develops nicely for three days after opening, suggesting this could have a long life. 95/100

Falstaff, Peter Moser : 94 points

Light greenish yellow, silver reflections. Fresh pear, subtle mango, floral nuances, a hint of rhubarb, delicate blossom honey, very inviting bouquet. Juicy, taut, finely meshed, white stone fruit, fine acidity, salty and long lasting with fine lime notes in the finish. Animating and youthful, very precise style, good ageing potential, makes you want more.