Balassa Szent Tamás Furmint 2023

A special wine from one of Tokaj’s most sought-after vineyards. The Szent Tamás vineyard is the source of many of Tokaj’s most outstanding white wines, and István Balassa’s Szent Tamás Furmint is definitely one of them. An explosion of typical tropical Furmint notes, layers and layers of minerality, a broad and round body and a lingering finish. Selected grapes from 40-60 year old vines, precise and careful vinification, small batches. Wonderful to drink now, but can age for many years.

About the Balassa winery

Balassa is a small winery based in the town of Tokaj, founded and run by István Balassa — one of the region’s most dynamic and thoughtful winemakers. With 14 hectares spread across 30 parcels in 11 top sites, the focus here is firmly on terroir: each wine, whether dry or sweet, is a clear expression of its origin.

Balassa’s Furmint bottlings are among the best in Tokaj — energetic, layered, and precise — with each vineyard offering a distinct character. At the same time, István is constantly looking ahead, experimenting with new varieties and taking a scientific, future-facing approach to his work. His legendary tastings on the slopes of Szent Tamás, with wines poured straight from the pickup truck, are as unforgettable as the wines themselves.

Producer information: Balassa Bor Kft., Hegyalja út 37, 3910 Tokaj, Hungary, https://balassabor.hu/