Aries is István Bencze’s Riesling from Badacsony, Hungary. Choose the vintage and bottle size below.

The 2019 and 2020 magnums are named Aries. The 2021 release is named Dancing on the Flor, reflecting its ageing under flor.

2021 Dancing on the Flor — tasting notes and technical details

A singular expression of old-vine Riesling from Badacsony, shaped by time, patience and the quiet influence of flor. Aromatically, it opens with layers of white peach, nectarine and citrus blossom, unfolding into jasmine, dried herbs and a fine volcanic minerality. What sets this vintage apart is its extraordinary élevage: 4.5 years in amphora under flor, building remarkable depth, texture and savoury complexity while preserving tension and precision. The palate is creamy yet electric, driven by a piercing acidity and a long, saline finish. Powerful, contemplative and deeply original, this is Riesling pushed into a completely different dimension.

Winemaker | István Bencze

Region | Badacsony, Hungary

Variety | Riesling

Viticulture | Biodynamic

Soil | Dense volcanic basalt with some tuff, sandstone, brown forest soil and clay

Altitude | 180 m

Age of the vines | planted in 1972

Bottles made | 1200 bottles

Vinification

Hand-harvested during the Aries phase of the lunar cycle in September, the grapes undergo a slow and gentle whole-bunch press before being transferred to amphora. Fermentation and maturation take place over 4.5 years under a veil of flor, a rare élevage that adds savoury complexity, texture and oxidative nuance while preserving freshness and structure. The wine is bottled unfined, unfiltered and without the addition of SO₂, capturing a pure and uncompromising expression of both terroir and time.