2003 Hungary

The Essencia instantly appeals when you pour it with its gloriously thick texture in the glass. The colour is bright amber laced with 511 grams of residual sugar which is visible in the wine, like an incredible pane of stained glass. The nose is incredibly complex and expressive with scents of honey, peach, freesia, blossom and citrus peel. With each swirl of the glass more layers reveal themselves, now apricot and orange with an energetic viscosity in the mouth. The length is one of the longest finishes on a wine I believe I have tasted and it is more detailed than I could have ever imagined. Simply glorious. According to Chris Donaldson MW, at 2.2% ABV, the Essencia is ‘good for babies and good for breakfast.
Laura Atkinson, Private Account Manager

Essencia is the richest and rarest of all Hungarian Tokaji wines. It is the truest expression of terroir known to man. Typically, this free run juice takes 6 to 8 years to complete its fermentation to less than 2% alcohol. Essencia can reach 85% residual sugar. Essencia wine is legendary. This Tokaji wine displays a rich, fat mouthfeel of honey, apricots and marmalade with uplifting acidity to balance out the sweetness. An ideal partner to foie gras.

The 18 hectares Nyúlászó (nu-laah-sooh) vineyard is one of the most well-known vineyards in Tokaji, and the first that the Royal Tokaji Wine Company purchased. This First Growth single vineyard vineyard is located on south-, southwest- and southeast-facing slopes overlooking the village of Mád and contiguous with the St Tamas vineyard. The grapes grown here produce lively, elegant and highly-perfumed wines, characteristics typically associated with wines originating from grapes grown in loess soil, whereas the Nyulászó vineyard is predominantly red volcanic clay with only pockets of loess soil present. Because of this unusual soil composition, the wines that are made from Nyulászó’s grapes are the most complex wines in the Royal Tokaji portfolio.  

the 2003 vintage displays medium amber colour with a rich deep nose of orange peel and toasted nuts. On the palate it has a very smooth creamy, vanilla character, and a long, lingering finish.