Best Hungarian Winemaker 2009

 We are getting the picture now that the Lorinczs at St Andrea are an artistic couple who are amongst the top winemakers in Hungary today.  Their mentor is the great Hungarian winemaker Tibor Gal (who created wines for Antinori in Italy for many years after the Second World War) and they have hosted Nicolas Joly for lectures and practical guidance on biodynamism at their winery.  Given a parcel of land on the famous Nagy-Eged Hill, has obviously inspired them to create the best wines the country can achieve.  It was their understanding of historical production that the vineyards on the Nagy Eged were always made up of many different grape varieties, and this is reflected in the blends that they are showing especially in the Napbor and Orokke whites.

The Eger region attract huge numbers of health visitors who come to soak up and sit on these incredible mineral salt flats or "beaches" if you like, for a bit of salty R&R.    There is definitely a mineral element to the Orokke white. Made from Harslevelu 42%, Chardonnay 36%, Pinot Gris 12%, Sauvignon Blanc 8% and Welsh riesling 2% and is much more than the sum of these seemingly random grapes.
From the start it has this most delicious flinty perfume that rises out to greet you; it has loads of wow-factor, lots of compelling richness and firmness with real character.  There is this zingy citrussy attack that completes the picture.  This is a wine that will really have everyone chattering away, fabulous with sushi.