2005 Disznoko Aszu Eszencia Tokaji (375ml)

Disznókő’s Tokaji Aszú wines are not only prime examples of one of the world’s great sweet wine styles, but they are also some of the most individual and profound wines of the genre. Now under the ownership of French insurance giant AXA Millesime, the wines are produced in a state-of-the-art cellar which is perfectly situated on the edge of the vineyard, and unusually for the region, all grapes come from 100% estate-grown fruit across the 105 hectares of vines. While dry wines are produced here, the focus has always been on the sweet 5 and 6 Puttonyos Aszú wines.

Tokaji Aszú is a noble sweet wine made by blending dried and noble rotten berries to a dry base wine. Taste and quality of the Aszú mainly depend on the number of hods (puttonyos) filled with dry berries (25 kilograms each), which are added to a cask (Gönc type, 136 liters) of dry base wine. Consequently, the proportion between aszú berries and dry base wine is about 1:1 for a 6 puttonyos Aszú. Aszú Eszencia is made with the same process, and is a classification above 6 puttonyos where the ratio of noble dry berries to wine is more akin to 7-10 puttonyos. This is not to be confused with Tokaji Essencia which is a fermentation of just the free run juice of the dried noble berries as they rest in the vat.

Other Reviews....
Intense, but also fine and layered with tons of complexity, showing dried dark apricot, tangerine, sweet papaya, dried persimmon and saffron. But on the palate this is waxy, yet so effortless, with such bright and tangy acidity that makes it taste a lot less sweet than it is. Sea-buckthorn and kumquat finish. Really effortless and long. Nectar that calls for a second glass. Drink or hold.
98 points
James Suckling (June 2022)

Aromas of citrus blossom, dried apricot and fresh fig transfer to the palate, where notes of freshly brewed coffee and toffee round out the complex flavor. This wine has lovely mouthfeel, with roundness on the palate and just the right amount of acidity to prevent this caramel-colored Eszencia from being too cloying.
97 points
Jeff Jenssen - Wine Enthusiast (Jan 2021)