Palate
The Tenger has flavors of ripe stone fruit and roasted almonds, zippy citrus and salt, with an elegant creamy finish.
Growing Conditions
The winery was founded in 2004, and today is comprised of 25 hectares on and around Csobánc.
Tenger ("sea" in Hungarian) is a terroir-driven white blend from Villa Tolnay. The wine was inspired by the ancient Pannonian Sea, which has left Csobánc with the unique basalt soils and ancient sea sediments that leave an indelible imprint on its wines.
2023 was a very wet year with lots of work in the vineyards. The grapes come from Badacsony and Csobánc hill. The Riesling comes from the Kapolna Domb, the Grüner Veltliner from Ráthonyi Domb, the Olaszrizling from the foot of Csobánc and the Chardonnay from the 1-hectare vineyard directly behind the pressing house. The soils are volcanic, with basalt rubble, basalt erosion, clay, and ancient Pannonian sea sedimentation sand.
Certified organic farming.
Harvest
Harvest took place between mid to late-September 2023. The grapes were picked by hand.
Winemaking
By reducing the yield, Philipp says, they were still able to harvest some beautiful fruit. The vintage is more elegant, well-balanced with medium acidity, with wines that are more on the mineral side.
All varieties were harvested separately. After destemming and a quick press, the Riesling, Olaszrizling and Grüner Veltliner were spontaneously fermented with native yeasts in 750-1800L Stockinger barrels and the Chardonnay in 300 L Burgundy barrels. Only the Chardonnay underwent malolactic fermentation. Maturation for 6-9 months, and then blending.
Low sulfites added.
Sulphur dioxide at bottling (free/total in mg/L): 5/47
Aging
Aged on the lees for 6-9 months in >750 L and 300 L Austrian and French oak barrels.