Six of the Figula best

This sextet of single-vineyard Olaszrizlings superbly capture the nuances of their different places of growth, along with the character of the wet, yet also warm, vintage. What they have in common is full-body, concentration, dense structure and a certain amount of botrytis, which can, in my experience, add a layer of complexity to Olaszrizling – very much the case with these wines, as well as to smooth out the prominent alcohol of this vintage. It is a great idea to bottle these wines as single-vineyard releases as they show the capability of Olaszrizling as an articulator of this lakeside terroir.

 

Figula Erdőszéle Olaszrizling 2023

Literally from the edge of the forest. Ethereal, yet restrained nose. Apple, pear, floral, meadow flowers, botrytis, bracing acidity, stony and salty on the palate. Good body, refined, elegant. Very distinctive, with considerable minerality.

Figula Gella Olaszrizling 2023

From 50+ year old vines, growing in rich limestone soil, 5km from Lake Balaton. Juicy pear aromas, broad, smooth and rounded structure, with linear acidity and a dense waxy texture. The high 14% alcohol nicely integrated, bring body rather than burn, with the trace of botrytis rounding out the finish. Full bodied, oily mineral, salty, powerful and edgy.

Öreghegy Olaszrizling 2023

A sun-kissed Olaszrizling from a rocky vineyard 5km from the lake. Really tropical on the nose with pineapple and mango, plus lime and pear. Juicy ripe and round palate. Delicious, limey, citrusy and almond flavours, but with zesty acidity keeping it vibrant.

Figula Sóskút Olaszrizling 2023

A 4-hectare plot on the way to Tótvázsony, located directly under a lime quarry, which gives a strong hint as the type of soil. The Figulas say that besides vines and almond tree, no other plant can survive in this rocky limestone soil. Grassy, green herbs, pineapple waxy, touch of botrytis, floral, complex and very long, full bodied. The high alcohol (14%) is well integrated.

Figula Baricska Olaszrizling 2023

From a vineyard replanted in 2010 that’s close to the boatyard that is on the edge of Balatonfüred, on the way to Tihany. A mix of Permian red sandstone, shallow-sea marl, limestone and sandstone. Briny, nutty, juicy, peachy, nectarine, yellow apple and white flowerd on the nose. Williams pear and apricot join on the full-bodied palate. Oily, very complex, long nutty finish, racy acidity, powdery texture, with a good measure of botrytis. The first vintage of this wine as a single vineyard bottling.

Figula Száka Olaszrizling 2023

Leaving Balatonfüred and heading to Balatonszőlős, Száka is the first vineyard you’ll encounter on the right. Flint, siliceous limestone and tuff (calcareous or siliceous).

Very precise fruitiness on the nose  – peach, apple, with some white flowers. Brininess, powdery, stony, very mineral on the complex palate, with racy acidity, botrytis, apricot, oiliness, waxiness.