2008 Hungary

The 2008 vintage provided excellent conditions for noble rot to develop, and the Betsek vineyard has created beautifully elegant and balanced wines in this year. The citrus acidity perfectly counterpoints the ripe apricot and pineapple sweetness of the wine. Delicious!
Mezes Maly, in the Tarcal commune of Hungary, has the distinction of being one of two vineyards to be elevated to the equivalent of Great 1st growth in the Rakoczi classification of 1700. Situated on loess soil on a south facing slope, this famous vineyard is now enjoying a renaissance of its own. Mezes Maly’s characteristics evoke its translation as ‘honey pot'. Its incredibly long and exquisitely balanced aromas and flavours combine the very essence of aszu wines. Mezes Maly's 11 hectares are jointly owned by the Royal Tokaji Company and Hugh Johnson.

Just a spoonful of sugar helps the medicine go down” as Mary Poppins once said, and the legendary Essencia wines of Tokaji were long heralded for their medicinal qualities not to mention their high sugar content. Nowadays the healing capabilities of this magical wine may not be quite so readily accepted but Royal Takaji’s 2008 Essencia certainly puts a very broad smile on ones face. A deep golden hue with a plentiful supply of opulent viscosity. Emerging from the syrupy depths comes a rich honeyed nose encapsulating juicy apricots, sweet pear, white tea, wood sap and delicate orange blossom that holds true for as long as you care to keep it in the glass. The palate is the definition of unctuous, packed full of honeyed apricots and oozing with a deliciously languid, mouth-coating seduction. A fresh citrus drive provides all the necessary vitality to ensure this mind-blowing wine powers through on to an incredibly long, thickly coated finish adding beautiful floral notes and a touch of demerara as it goes. In reality it is difficult for a tasting note to do this wine justice and whilst it might cost a little more than ‘tuppence a bag’ there is no denying this is a truly ‘supercalifragilisticexpialidocious’ offering. Surely a 100 point wine. Drink from here to eternity.
Peter Newton – Private Account Manager