A nice sale on Hungarian Tokaji

[Roy Hersh]

WS96 and WS97 Point Hungarian Sweet Wines On Sale
2000 Chateau Dereszla Tokaji Aszu 6 Puttonyos Proprietary Blend 500ml - $40.99 (reg. price $69.99)
2000 Chateau Dereszla Tokaji Eszencia Proprietary Blend 250ml - $179.99 (reg. price $274.99)
2000 Chateau Dereszla Tokaji Aszu 3 Puttonyos Proprietary Blend 500ml - $17.99 (reg. price $29.99)
The historic Tokaj region in north-eastern Hungary is home to the world’s oldest sweet wine, Tokaji Aszu, and we have today an exceptional offer featuring three of the great wines coming out of the region. These wines are totally delicious and range in sweetness from 3 to 6 Puttonyos to the rare pure Eszencia. Find out why King Louis XIV called the Tokaji Aszu wines “the king of wines, the wine of kings”.

Essentially ‘Puttoyos’ is a measure of sweetness ranging from 3 to 6 – the more Puttonyos the sweeter the wine. To make these wines, Aszu grapes (grapes affected by botrytis cinerea, or noble rot) are macerated in dry wine. However, to make the pure Eszencia, or nectar, only the free-run juice of the Aszu grapes is used – it is not blended with dry wine. The alcohol is extremely low, say around 3-5%, and the sugar levels are very high. The pure Eszencia wines are some of the most exclusive wines of the world and generally come in 250ml bottles that can age for 200 years. You don’t need much in the glass to really enjoy this nectar!

Chateau Dereszla is owned by France-based negociant Edonia Wines which is also responsible for the world class wines of Alta Vista in Argentina and Chateau Sansonnet and Chateau Valrose in Bordeaux. Dereszla is ideally situated among the Grand Crus classes of the Tokaj vineyards. The chateau is filled with magnificent, historical caves dug into the rock, which allow their wines to age using traditional means. In fact, these wines were aged for a (minimum) of 3 years before release.

Undeniable values from one of the greatest vintages on record, the 3 and 6 Puttonyos offer two levels of sweetness but are equally delicious. The Eszencia is pure nectar and although not inexpensive, offers an experience like no other.

These wines certainly hit the sweet spot! Enjoy!

In Stock

HUNGARY

2000 Chateau Dereszla Tokaji Aszu 3 Puttonyos Proprietary Blend 500ml - $17.99 (reg. price $29.99)


2000 Chateau Dereszla Tokaji Aszu 6 Puttonyos Proprietary Blend 500ml - $40.99 (reg. price $69.99)
Wine Spectator, Jun 2004, 96 points: "Terrific. Floral, quince and apple aromas take on honey, peach and mineral accents in the mouth, all displayed on an ethereal, lighter-than-air frame. Bracing acidity is deftly integrated into the whole, and it ends with a mineral aftertaste. Drink now through 2025. 830 cases made. –BS"


2000 Chateau Dereszla Tokaji Eszencia Proprietary Blend 250ml - $179.99 (reg. price $274.99)
Wine Spectator, Oct 2008, 97 points: "The essence of pure apricot. Despite its thick texture, this melts in the mouth as the incredibly vibrant acidity emerges. That makes for a great finish, as the sweet fruit and acidity dovetail and the mineral element takes over. Drink now through 2050. 2,000 cases made."


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[Ray Barnes]

I got that same notice in the email box. I like their offer on the 3 and 6 puttonyos, but I dare not part with $180 for a 250ml bottle of Eszencia - although its high price is understandable - or risk my wife having me taken out and shot.

If I am not mistaken, Eszencia is the juice extracted from the fully botrytized grapes, being pressed out solely from the weight of the top of the fruit sitting on the bottom of it. It is very viscuous and produced in truly miniscule quantities. The term "nectar of the Gods" is sometimes overused, but one could argue that it applies here.

[Frederick Blais]

The Puttonyos is the juice/paste made from the botrytised grapes. They mixed it with dry wines in different concentrations, the more they put in, the more # of Puttonyos you'll see on the label. The grams of residual sugar needs to be a certain amount to get the category of Puttonyos but the good producers are always exceding this lower limit by a fair margin. Often Eszencia can average 600g of residual sugar per liter :) I'm more a fan of the 5 as 6 and Eszencia is just too much and lacks the complexity and freshness the 5 can give. I've failed to have older ones though... but I know where to find some :devil:

[Ray Barnes]

Cher Monsieur Frederick, would you be kind enough to share with us where these older bottles might be, s'il vous plait?

[Frederick Blais]

Cher Monsieur Frederick, would you be kind enough to share with us where these older bottles might be, s'il vous plait?

Hmm with some French :) I was aiming this reply at a specific individual that is reading this forum and has some bottles in his cellar. As far as finding some bottles to buy, I would use the searching tools available on the web. But it is not easy as there was restriction with the production of this nectar before the 90's. I'd say that going in Hungary is probably the best luck to find some.

[Moses Botbol]

Just reading about Hungarian Tokaji is making my mouth water. That stuff is too good indeed. Sounds like great prices. Tokaji seems to be in real demand on the auction markets; never see a deal on it

[Glenn E.]

I had some 5 Puttonyos last night and will probably finish the bottle tonight. Awesome stuff!

[Roy Hersh]

I am not sure why Frederick feels that the Esczencia (also seen as Essencia and even Essensia) lacks "freshness" but it really depends on producer and vintage, imo. If he is talking about the requisite acidity to balance off the degree of RS, then maybe that would be something I can wrap my brain around. But otherwise, I have had some pretty crazy versions both young, old and ancient and it is a fantastic experience. A couple of years ago, a friend bought some 100 ml bottles that RWC was selling and he brought them to an offline. He had a bunch of spoons and poured some on spoons for anyone who wanted to taste them.



Ray,

Typically, Tokaji comes in 500 ml bottles if I am not mistaken ... a great size indeed, for a dessert wine.


As to bargains, how about this: I bought a case of mixed Tokaji from 1929, 1930 and 1837 ... for the grand total of $84 for the case ... yes, that is $7 per bottle. The two oldies were worth $6,000 each. Not a bad score and to answer your question (or the one you were thinking ...) no, I drank them with very good friends.

I still have one of the 1929s and one of the 1930s left too. I have a bunch of younger versions from the outstanding 1975 vintage as well as the common but very solid 1993 vintage.

[Frederick Blais]

I am not sure why Frederick feels that the Esczencia (also seen as Essencia and even Essensia) lacks "freshness" but it really depends on producer and vintage, imo. If he is talking about the requisite acidity to balance off the degree of RS, then maybe that would be something I can wrap my brain around. But otherwise, I have had some pretty crazy versions both young, old and ancient and it is a fantastic experience. A couple of years ago, a friend bought some 100 ml bottles that RWC was selling and he brought them to an offline. He had a bunch of spoons and poured some on spoons for anyone who wanted to taste them.

Yes exactly Roy, I prefer the zesty acidity of the 5 putts to the sugar levels of the 6 and Ess. Here in Quebec, the older we had were the 93. It is quite hard to get older ones as the production was excessively small and had to remain hidden during the URSS. What a great move by Hugh Johnson to found his company there and help to bring back on the back this Royal wine. I only had Ess from the 96 Vintage. As for the 6 putts, 93,94,96 and I can say I prefer the 96. For producers I don't remember all the nameds as some are quite hard to remember :)

[Gary Banker]

The "regular prices" that are mentioned in the offer seem somewhat low. The lowest price that I found in Wine Searcher for the 6 putt wine was $89.95, which makes this offer seem even better. I had never heard of this brand until now. If that is real escenzia, the price seems rather low.

I have never had Eszencia but I have some 1993 Aszu Eszencia from Royal Tokaji (Johnson's operation). I think that it's about 8 or 9 puttonyos. It cost about $125 per bottle when released. I would lick it off the basement floor if I dropped a bottle. I also like the richness of the 6 putt versions. I have some 1995 Disznoko, which is very good.

This offer sounds like a very good opportunity to get some tokaji. I hope somebody jumps on it and tells us how it is.

[Eric Ifune]

A couple of years ago, a friend bought some 100 ml bottles that RWC was selling and he brought them to an offline. He had a bunch of spoons and poured some on spoons for anyone who wanted to taste them.

Those would be the Stanzo. I got a couple as well. Maybe the most intense "wine" I've ever had. A spoonful is a good taste of this stuff. Since it's only a few percent by volume of alcohol, some would argue it's not even wine. Whatever it is, it's great stuff.

[Roy Hersh]

Great stuff is right. No way it's really wine, though an amazing tasting experience.

Tonight I was intrigued by the discussion here and before some Uruguayan Late Harvest Tannat and a 1978 Broadbent Terrantez Madeira inpired by another thread and the fact that my brother is here (with his family) ... I opened a 1993 St. Tamasz 6 Puttanyos Tokaji bottle that was in need of serious air, although it was very tasty right from the first small sip. Tomorrow I'll be able to make a much clearer assessment and am looking forward to revisiting this bottle.

[Gary Banker]

Roy,

I have a half-dozen of the St. Tamasz from 1993. I look forward to your report.

[David Spriggs]

I also have some 1993 St. Tamasz. I'm waiting for the note too!

[Erik Wiechers]

A bottle of 1889 Tokaji Essencia Esterhazy was auctioned yesterday at Christie's Amsterdam for the astonishing price of € 9200 !!!!

The collector Hans Jorissen had a great collection of this wine and also a great collection of Port wine:

The Tokaji:
1793 ? Tokaji Aszu/Tokaji Essencia Onbekend/Wolski Cellar-Poland 1 fl
1834 Tokaji Essencia Fürst Bretzenheim/Berry Bros 1 fl
1872 Tokaji onbekend 1 fl
1872 Tokaji Ausbruch Essencia Gräflich Wickenburg 1 fl
1880 Tokaji Szamorodni sweet Zimmermann Lipot 1 fl
1889 Tokaji Essencia Esterhazy/Berry Bros 2 fl
1900 Tokaji Szamorodni Gräflich Wickenburg 1 fl
1901 Tokaji Aszu 6 Put Bortelmelo 1 fl
1908 Tokaji Szamorodni onbekend 3 fl
1914 Tokaji Essencia Baron Maillot/Berry Bros 1 fl
1920 Tokaji Aszu 5 Put Zimmermann Lipot 1 fl
1920? Tokaji onbekend 1 fl
1920? Tokaji Aszu 3 Put Borsai Miklos 3 fl
1921 Tokaji Aszu 5 Put Königl. Hofdomänen 1 fl
1924 Tokaji Aszu 6 Put Zimmermann Lipot 8 fl
1928 Tokaji Aszu 5 Put Zimmermann Lipot
1930 Tokaji Aszu 5 Put Zimmermann Lipot
1934 Tokaji Aszu 7 Put unknown, bt by Teltcher
1938 Tokaji Szamorodni Sweet Zimmermann-Lipot
1940 Tokaji Szamorodni Zimmermann Lipot ?
1940? Tokaji Aszu 3 Put Mountain Wine Growers
1957 Tokaji Aszu Essencia (p.c.)
1959 Tokaji Aszu 5 Put Monimpex
1971 Tokaji Szamorodni Monimpex
1972 Tokaji Aszu 6 Put Monimpex
1976 Tokaji Szamorodni sweet monimpex
1977 Tokaji Szamorodni Monimpex
1993 Diznoko, Tokaji 4 Put

His port collection:

1853 Unknown Shipper (slip label) 1 fl € 520.00
1887 (no label) MS Unknown Shipper (J. Harvey, Bristol) 1 fl € 175.00
1895 Cockburn (slip label) level l.s. 1 fl € 298.00
1895 ?(no label) Unknown Shipper (Cockburn?) -L.S. 1 fl € 152.00
1900 pre (slip label) Unknown Shipper 6 fl € 260.00
1908 John Harvey ? (B.N.) 1 fl € 393.00
1920 Smith Woodhouse 1 fl € 275.00
1922 Tuke Holdsworth 2 fl € 250.00
1927 Unknown Shipper(Cockburn of Leith) 1 fl € 355.00
1935 Sandeman Jubilee 1 fl € 485.00
1935 Taylor 1 fl € 825.00
1935 (believed to be) Cockburn 1 fl € 250.00
1945 Ferreira 1 fl € 330.00
1948 Taylor 2 hvs € 200.00
1948 Taylor 1 fl € 580.00
1950 (no Label) Cockburn 1 fl € 150.00
1952 Mackenzie Vintage 26 fl € 150.00
1955 Cockburn 1 Hv € 133.00
1955 Graham 1 fl € 325.00
1960 Taylor(?) 2 fl € 98.00
1960 Croft (slip label) 6 fl € 85.00
1963 Cockburn 1 fl € 135.00
1963 unknown shipper 1 fl € 135.00
1963 Graham 1 fl € 325.00
1963 Croft 1 mags € 340.50
1963 Fonseca 2 fl € 200.00
1970 Graham 1 fl € 125.00
1970 Fonseca 22 fl € 175.00
1970 Sandeman 3 fl € 90.00
1970 Taylor 7 fl € 170.00
1970 Dolamore Own Selection (slip lb) 5 fl € 39.00
1977 Niepoort 4 fl € 95.00
1977 Taylor 2 fl € 122.00
1977 Graham 12 fl € 135.00
1979 Dow, Quinta de Bonfim 9 fl € 29.00
1983 Taylor 4 fl € 62.00
1983 Warre 19 fl € 39.00
1985 Gonzalez (Quinta de Sabordela) 5 fl € 27.00
1985 Smith Woodhouse 12 fl € 34.00
1985 Fonseca 12 fl € 75.00
1991 Churchill's 12 fl € 45.00
1991 Niepoort 23 fl € 47.00
1991 Dow 5 fl € 60.00
1991 Graham 27 fl € 45.00
1991 Fonseca Guim. 8 fl € 53.00
1992 Graham, Malvedos 14 fl € 28.00
1994 Graham 2 fl € 59.00
1994 Martinez Quinta de Eira Velha 2 fl € 45.00
1994 Dow 5 fl € 59.90
1997 Taylor Vintage 2 mag € 130.23
1997 Graham 24 fl € 54.30
2000 Fonseca 6 fl € 62.00
2000 Taylor 6 fl € 68.00
2001 van Zeller 12 fl € 43.00

Also for sale by the way.
fl=fles (bottle)

I dont know if the prices are right for the port. I did buy 2 halves of Croft 1963 from the website.

[Andy Velebil]

Whats interesting is the 1895 and 1935 Cockburns (or believed to be Cockburns). We had the same two "believed to be" bottles at the Cockburn tasting in October and the 1895 turned out to be a 1927 Taylors and the 1935 only had "Vintage 1935" on the cork, but Cockburn's winemaker didnt think it was a Cockburn's.