Deeply layered and remarkably nuanced, Ötödik is Tímea’s flagship wine and one of her most intricate expressions of Tokaj. It opens with a beautifully poised flinty reduction, followed by cool earth, lemon and a persistent, saline mineral character that becomes more detailed as the wine unfolds. On the palate, Furmint and Hárslevelű come together in a generous, finely textured white, its breadth and depth held in place by a vivid line of acidity and an almost restless energy. A gentle spritz on opening brings extra lift, giving the first sip a delicate, lively edge. With air, its tightly woven layers gradually open, revealing an impressive balance of substance, tension and precision. The finish is long and absorbing, carrying salty lemon, stone and earthy detail far beyond the last sip. A wine of remarkable detail and quiet intensity, made for slow drinking and close attention.

Winemaker | Tímea Éless

Region | Bártfai vineyard, Tállya, Tokaj, Hungary

Varieties | Furmint 60%, Hárslevelű 40%

Style | White

Viticulture | Biodynamic farming

Soil | Volcanic, rhyolitic soil

Age of the vines | Approximately 40 years

Vinification

The 2021 blend is made from 60% Furmint and 40% Hárslevelű, hand harvested from approximately 40-year-old vines in the Bártfai vineyard, where the soils are volcanic and rhyolitic. Around 5% of the fruit was affected by botrytis at harvest. The grapes are whole-bunch pressed, and the wine then spends 25 months on its coarse lees in medium-plus-toast Zemplén oak barrels. This extended period of lees contact gives the wine time to build its layered texture and depth, while the long maturation allows its substance and mineral detail to come together. A slight spritz may be present when the bottle is first opened, adding a lively accent to the wine’s concentrated, unfolding character.

Interesting Facts

Ötödik translates as “The Fifth” in Hungarian, a name that carries a deeper, almost spiritual significance. In ancient philosophy, the fifth element, known as aether or quintessence, was believed to exist beyond the four earthly elements of earth, water, fire and air. It represented something intangible, pure and extraordinary—the essence that connects the physical world with something greater.

For Tímea, Ötödik marks a new chapter in her winemaking journey. Created for the first time in 2021, it stands apart from her other wines, bringing together years of experience, intuition and a profound connection to the vineyard. More than simply another cuvée, it feels like the culmination of everything that came before it—a wine in which nature, time and human intuition converge to create something greater than the sum of its parts. A fitting expression of the elusive fifth element.