Vega Sicilia Tokaj Oremus Dry Mandolas 2022

Region and Vineyards

Mandolás is produced in the historic Tokaj wine region of northeast Hungary, one of the world’s oldest classified wine regions and internationally famed for its noble sweet wines. Oremus, located in the village of Tolcsva, brings together traditional Hungarian viticulture and the technical expertise of Vega Sicilia.

Mandolás is sourced from 35 hectares within the estate’s vineyards, planted at altitudes of 150–300 metres on volcanic subsoils. The estate's prized Petrács plot, with vines over 50 years old, contributes the best Furmint clones, producing fruit with great balance and aromatic precision. The average vine age for Mandolás is 23 years, with a density of 5,660 plants per hectare. Yields are modest at 38.4 hl/ha, preserving concentration and varietal typicity.

Winemaking

Mandolás 2022 is made from 100% Furmint, hand-harvested between August 25 and September 8 under stable, warm conditions. After gentle pressing, 80% of the wine ferments in stainless steel tanks, preserving freshness and aromatic purity, while 20% ferments in new Hungarian oak barrels, adding complexity and structure.

Ageing occurs over six months, with 70% of the wine spending time in oak barrels: three months on the lees with regular bâtonnage, followed by three months of still ageing. The remaining 30% matures in stainless steel. The final wine undergoes an additional year of bottle ageing, ensuring textural harmony and aromatic integration.

Tasting Notes

• Color: Pale lemon with silvery reflections and crystalline brilliance.
• Aroma: Refined and vibrant, featuring white flowers, citrus peel, green apple, and subtle minerality. Hints of wet stone and toast emerge with aeration.
• Palate: Dry (1.8 g/L residual sugar) with vibrant acidity (6.3 g/L) and a linear, mineral-driven structure. The mid-palate is textured, with notes of orchard fruit, lemon zest, and a touch of oak. The finish is long, precise, and elegantly fresh.

Did you know?

The name Mandolás refers to the historical name of the vineyard parcel from which the wine originates. While Furmint is traditionally known for producing some of the world’s most celebrated sweet wines, Mandolás reimagines this indigenous grape as a noble dry white, capable of aging for over a decade and competing with the world’s finest whites.

Wine Pairing Ideas

• Grilled sea bass with lemon and herbs – the wine’s freshness complements delicate fish and citrus accents.
• Roast chicken with tarragon cream sauce – the structure and acidity balance creamy textures and herbal aromas.
• Goat cheese and herb tart – tangy cheese plays off the wine’s minerality and floral lift.
• Oysters with cucumber mignonette – a bracing and elegant match that enhances saline nuances.

History of Vega Sicilia Oremus

Oremus was born in 1993, when Vega Sicilia, Spain’s most iconic wine estate, acquired one of Tokaj’s most legendary vineyards with the mission of restoring its glory. The name Oremus, Latin for “Let us pray”, refers to the famed vineyard first mentioned in 1630, long associated with the origins of the Tokaji Aszú tradition. This site, historically revered for producing noble rot-affected wines of extraordinary complexity, became the cornerstone of a renewed Tokaj renaissance.

Vega Sicilia’s arrival in Tokaj marked a turning point for the region. Under the leadership of Pablo Álvarez and winemaker András Bacsó, the project combined centuries of Hungarian sweet winemaking with cutting-edge cellar technology, vineyard restructuring, and meticulous grape selection. Oremus became the first non-Hungarian-owned winery to fully integrate into the Tokaj appellation while respecting its strict historical codes and quality levels.

From its inaugural vintages in the mid-1990s, Oremus has elevated Tokaj’s international reputation, crafting wines that reflect both authenticity and innovation—from entry-level Late Harvest and dry Furmints to the estate’s flagship Aszú 5 and 6 Puttonyos and the exceptionally rare Eszencia.

Region and Vineyards

Oremus is located in Tolcsva, in the heart of the Tokaj-Hegyalja region in northeastern Hungary. The estate comprises 91 hectares of vineyards planted between 150 and 300 metres in altitude on volcanic, mineral-rich soils—a legacy of ancient lava flows. The Zemplén Mountains and proximity to the Tisza and Bodrog Rivers provide the misty autumn mornings essential for the development of Botrytis cinerea (noble rot), followed by dry afternoons that preserve acidity and freshness.

The vineyards are planted primarily with Furmint, the region’s most important white grape, prized for its high acidity and susceptibility to botrytis. Other key varieties include Hárslevelű, Zéta, and Sárgamuskotály (Muscat Blanc à Petits Grains). The vines average 20 to 60 years in age, with some parcels—such as the celebrated Petrács vineyard—planted over half a century ago. Yields are naturally low, particularly for Aszú production, sometimes as little as 3–5 hectolitres per hectare.

Wine Range of Vega Sicilia Oremus

• Late Harvest: A fresh, lightly botrytised sweet wine, ideal for early drinking.
• Mandolás Furmint: A dry white wine offering a modern, mineral-driven expression of Furmint.
• Petrács Furmint: A single-vineyard, oak-aged dry Furmint from old vines, built for complexity and aging.
• Tokaji Aszú 3, 5, and 6 Puttonyos: Noble sweet wines made from individually picked botrytised berries, ranked by richness and residual sugar.
• Tokaji Eszencia: A mythical nectar of unmatched concentration, made exclusively from the free-run juice of Aszú berries, fermented slowly over years.

Did you know?

Oremus was the first estate to produce Eszencia under Vega Sicilia’s ownership, reviving one of the world’s rarest and most coveted wine styles. The estate continues to ferment Eszencia for years, drop by drop, with natural sugar levels exceeding 500 g/L and alcohol content as low as 2–3%—a wine closer to elixir than to wine.