You can find the Ikon Winery on the grounds of historical Rádpuszta, way outside Balatonlelle, after a bit of trekking around in the surrounding rather charming countryside. It is on a lovely spot within the sight of the Lake Balaton, it has a delightful Mediterranean feel to it. The estate used to belong to the Abbey of Tihany as a vine growing property. The Ikon Winery opened in 2007, founded by the late János Konyári, but his daughter is charge of the 35-hectare lake shore vineyards now.
I checked their website, as I always do and I am sorry to say, but it would definitely need some more information and tender loving care, mainly the English version. The wine description page looks like a somewhat whirlwind, hasty affair with Google Translate.
The tasting takes place on the top level, on a half terrace-like room in the beautiful, modern winery building. The views were amazing from there.
You can choose between different wine selections. I went all in with the largest range and afterwards bought couple of bottles in the wine shop too that I have tasted later. They provide some bread, cheese and soda for the tasting to counterbalance the alcohol, which was aplenty.
Most reds were at least 14% ABV but typically more with couple of lighter ones like Pinot Noir, Kékfrankos (Blaufrankish). It was about the big, bold, reds, like Cabernet Franc, Cabernet Sauvignon, Kékfrankos, Shiraz, Merlot and the blends of these varieties. The lonely, compulsory Rosé blend, normally done in any region where reds can be found, and the rather nice Rhine Riesling, were just swift introduction before the big guns. And big guns they were…
The Tulipán (Tulip), the 1199 Királyok (Kings), the Fekete Tulipán (Black Tulip)- Shiraz were all, ripe, fruit-forward, lush, smooth wines, with very high alcohol, tons of soft tannins, lots of new oak, even American oak on occasion. All nicely done sound wines, although, with not much finesse or elegance. They were very similar to each other and reminded me to a certain style of Aussie wine which were very fashionable recently. I found the new oak almost overpowering, very heavy handed. Less would have been more. A bit of restrain to let the grape shine, rather than the expensive barrique. I did love the Evangelista Cabernet Franc though. Cabernet Franc was always my soft spot. It was rich, opulent, layered with possibility of improving if you cellar it. That was able to handle the year spent in American and Hungarian oak.
It is not all bloom and gloom though. They do make good wines, even great wines that are reasonably priced, and the atmosphere is excellent. Great effort!
Photographs by The Tannin Addict.