Furmint, Harslevelu, Zeta and Sargamuskotaly
50cl * 11.5% ABV * Tokaj, Hungary
Tokaji-Oremus - today owned by the renowned Vega Sicilia - has long been at the forefront of the region's production of Aszu grapes. The harvest is always done entirely by hand, as the grape-pickers must look for bunches where part of the fruit is overripe and part affected by noble rot - it is this noble rot that transforms the grapes into Aszu berries. For this to occur, the growers are very much reliant upon the 'Indian Summers' typical of the Tokaji region.
In adherence to the 5 Puttonyos classification of this Aszu wine, five 25kg baskets of botrytised grapes are added to each 136L barrel of must, then lightly pressed and slowly fermented in oak. The wine is aged for more than 2 years in Hungarian oak before a further year of bottle aging prior to release.
The 2018 vintage produced a floral and fruity wine, where the influence of botrytis is less pronounced. There is a good acidity that balances out the sweetness. Serve alongside blue cheese. Drink now-2035
'Pure and intense with luscious nectarine, red apple, quince and frangipane under a thick, zesty layer of candied orange peel and marmalade. Assertive acid carves the flavours and carries the sweetness with ease. Herbal nuances (linden, chamomile, sage) add elegant depth. Classical and seductive.' 94pts, Ines Salpico - Decanter