Tokaji 6 Puttonyos Aszú Lapis 2003 500ml

Wine Description for Tokaji 6 Puttonyos Aszú Lapis 2003 500ml by Királyudvar

Colour & Appearance

Luminous, dark amber with golden reflections – a colour that already hints at the extraordinary concentration and maturity of this great Tokaji.

Nose

Bewitchingly complex and dense: caramel, baked apple and apricots – both fresh and dried – meld with honey, malt and Peach Melba. Beneath these lie oriental spices such as allspice, clove and cinnamon, complemented by incense, earthy nuances, peat and beeswax. The botrytis reveals itself here in its noblest, purest form – an aromatic masterpiece.

Palate

Already impressive despite its youth: creamy, perfectly balanced and finely textured. Nuts, honey, apricots and red apple harmonise with floral aromas, nutmeg, black tea and ripe lemon, plus a hint of bergamot. The acidity shows itself still restrained, yet always present – a sign that this wine is only at the beginning of its development. Those wishing to encounter it now should allow it a few days of air; its true greatness will, however, only unfold in the years to come.

Finish

Long, elegant and carried by fine freshness, which lends structure and tension to the opulent sweetness. A finale that lingers and invites contemplation.

Terroir & Origin

From the single vineyard site Lapis, one of the finest sites of the venerable estate Királyudvar – the „Court of Kings“. The vines thrive on volcanic soil, grey and brown clay as well as white rhyolite tuff at altitudes of up to 230 metres. A terroir that has produced wines of royal calibre for centuries.

Grape Variety & Vinification

78% Furmint, 22% Hárslevelű. Six butts of 22 kilos of noble rot-affected berries to 136.5 litres of base wine – the classic 6 Puttonyos method. Spontaneous fermentation in 500-litre wooden fermenters of Hungarian oak, 28 months maturation in 2,250-litre casks, followed by at least six further years of ageing before release.

Food Pairing Recommendations

Classically with foie gras parfait or foie gras. Equally magnificent with salty, robust blue cheeses such as Roquefort or Stilton, whose spicy creaminess counterbalances the wine’s sweetness.

Special Characteristics

A wine of royal provenance and monumental ageing potential. This is an investment in one of the great Tokaji Aszú of our time – patient waiting will be rewarded.