Tokaji Cuvée Ilona 2016 500ml

Wine Description for Tokaji Cuvée Ilona 2016 500ml by Királyudvar

Colour & Appearance

Luminous amber with golden reflections – a visual promise of the concentration and maturity that this dessert wine delivers. The viscous texture is already evident in the glass.

Nose

Surprisingly restrained for a sweet wine of this category, yet possessed of striking elegance. Candied orange peel and kumquats dominate, accompanied by ripe stone fruit. Beneath these unfold fascinating nuances of black tea, Turkish mocha with cardamom, beeswax and a hint of Cointreau – an aromatic composition that places finesse above opulence.

Palate

Here the true greatness of this Tokaji reveals itself: viscous and concentrated, yet never cumbersome. The impressive 9.1 grams of acidity are the key to understanding this wine – it cuts through the 158 grams of residual sugar with surgical precision and creates an electrifying tension. The fruit oscillates between juicy-fresh and raisined, whilst a slightly sharp spice adds complexity. Everything feels seamless, an endless flow across the palate.

Finish

Extraordinarily long and multifaceted. A fine salinity pairs with notes of black tea infusion, whilst the vibrant acidity remains present throughout, providing sustained freshness.

Terroir & Origin

The grapes come from the renowned vineyard sites Betsek, Suba, Danczka and Lapis in Tokaj. Harvested between 26th and 28th October 2016, the vintage benefited from ideal late-harvest conditions.

Grape Variety & Vinification

A masterful cuvée of 60% Furmint, 25% Hárslevelű and 15% Sárga Muskotály (Yellow Muscat). Five months‘ ageing in a 2.5-hectolitre barrel of Slavonian oak. At just 10% alcohol, a textbook example of balance despite high residual sweetness.

Food Pairing Suggestions

Crustacean bisque with langoustine, profiteroles with candied fruits and vanilla-caramel cream, blue cheese with spiced bread. The acidity structure also makes it an ideal companion for foie gras or apple strudel.

Special Characteristics

The monumental acidity structure gives this Tokaji ageing potential spanning decades. A wine that proves great sweet wines live not by sugar, but by acidity.