2018 Royal Tokaji Blue Label 5 Puttonyos Aszu (500ml)

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....
Attractive nose of dried apricots, candied plums and hints of tea leaves and vanilla. Medium- to full-bodied with vivid acidity and a dense, creamy texture. It shows chocolate bitterness at the end. Very long and textural, with a lot of delicious fruit upfront. Drink or hold.
94 points
James Suckling