Malatinszky Chardonnay 'Noblesse Siklósi' Villány 2019

Okay, so just hear me out: what would happen if Bordeaux and Burgundy had a baby? The region of Villány just might be the answer to that very question. Situated in southern Hungary just a stone's throw away from Croatia, it shares the same latitude as the very northern edge of Bordeaux. However, aside from both growing cabernet sauvignon, cabernet franc, and merlot, that’s really where the parallels end. So where does the Burgundy call come into play? Well, some have called Villány the Côte de Nuits of Eastern Europe, with both having similar landscape and calcareous limestone-rich soils. With over 8 centuries of experience producing wine in this area, the Malatinszky estate is an expert at navigating this uniquely cool mesoclimate and terroir. Csaba Malatinszky started his career as a sommelier in France and later re-established the family winery in 1997 following the fall of communism. While mostly known for reintroducing cabernet franc to the region, this chardonnay showcases Csaba’s versatility and prowess. The wine goes through spontaneous fermentation in partially new and partially used Hungarian oak barrels and in stainless steel tanks. It was then aged on the lees in the same barrels for 7 months with partial battonage. Rich, yet approachable, the palate offers generous notes of apricot and meyer lemon. Pair with something equally decadent, like a hearty cassoulet or a cashmere shawl and a roaring fire. Certified organic, low-intervention/natural wine.