Above 5 half-litresper lot
Details
RARE TOKAY FROM THE ROYAL TOKAY BETSEK VINEYARD
Lying at Christie's
The name Betsek is derived from an old Magyar family name. The vineyard is one of the largest in Mad and Royal Tokaji owns 12 ha. The average age of the vines is 19 years. The 11 degree slope faces south-east and is 150 metres above sea level.
The skill and traditions of producing Aszu wines have changed little since the 17th Century. Hand picked Aszu berries are macerated with top-quality base wines. The resultant Aszu wines mature at different sweetness levels, generally 4,5 or 6 puttonyos. Careful pruning in the 1st and 2nd Growth vineyards amongst their 80 hectares, hand picking and maturation for a minimum of 3 years in Gonci casks in 13th Century celalrs, ensure these rich, refreshing wines are produced to the highest quality.
Royal Tokaji Betsek 1st Growth Single Vineyard
Aszu 5 Puttonyos--Vintage 1990(1)
Aszu 5 Puttonyos--Vintage 1991(1)
Aszu 5 Puttonyos--Vintage 1992(1)
Aszu 5 Puttonyos--Vintage 1993(1)
Aszu 6 Puttonyos--Vintage 1995(1)
The following tasting notes are by Hugh Johnson
1990 vintage: deeper amber. Classic maturing forest-floor nose with high notes of violet. Smooth texture combined with sweet/sour plummy bite. Vivid long finish. Losing a little fat at the end. Lovely
1991 vintage: full amber. High-toned note between Kerosene and violets: with the richness and tang of orange peel. Entry almost delicate with an elegant light touch, then sweet-sour penetration with hints of tobacco. Very long
1992 vintage: full amber. Fine or complex mineral nose with a hint of the earth, the first wine to show what bottle-age can achieve in Tokay. Sour plum and tobacco-leaf flavours, good attack and very long intricate finish. Exquisite
1993 vintage: mid-amber. Chunky marmalade nose, slight lanolin. Full-bodied, rich and glossy, moderate acidity with intensity of ripe fruits. Still in the full-fruit stage of primary development. Friendly and accessible with long clean finish
1995 vintage: Light amber. Nose full and broad with lanolin, combining raisin/quince fruit with an underlying earthy note. Powerful fruity attack, sustained with intense mineral and chocolate flavours into a long slightly earthy finish typical of Betseks' terroir
Above 5 half-litresper lot
Lying at Christie's
The name Betsek is derived from an old Magyar family name. The vineyard is one of the largest in Mad and Royal Tokaji owns 12 ha. The average age of the vines is 19 years. The 11 degree slope faces south-east and is 150 metres above sea level.
The skill and traditions of producing Aszu wines have changed little since the 17th Century. Hand picked Aszu berries are macerated with top-quality base wines. The resultant Aszu wines mature at different sweetness levels, generally 4,5 or 6 puttonyos. Careful pruning in the 1st and 2nd Growth vineyards amongst their 80 hectares, hand picking and maturation for a minimum of 3 years in Gonci casks in 13th Century celalrs, ensure these rich, refreshing wines are produced to the highest quality.
Royal Tokaji Betsek 1st Growth Single Vineyard
Aszu 5 Puttonyos--Vintage 1990(1)
Aszu 5 Puttonyos--Vintage 1991(1)
Aszu 5 Puttonyos--Vintage 1992(1)
Aszu 5 Puttonyos--Vintage 1993(1)
Aszu 6 Puttonyos--Vintage 1995(1)
The following tasting notes are by Hugh Johnson
1990 vintage: deeper amber. Classic maturing forest-floor nose with high notes of violet. Smooth texture combined with sweet/sour plummy bite. Vivid long finish. Losing a little fat at the end. Lovely
1991 vintage: full amber. High-toned note between Kerosene and violets: with the richness and tang of orange peel. Entry almost delicate with an elegant light touch, then sweet-sour penetration with hints of tobacco. Very long
1992 vintage: full amber. Fine or complex mineral nose with a hint of the earth, the first wine to show what bottle-age can achieve in Tokay. Sour plum and tobacco-leaf flavours, good attack and very long intricate finish. Exquisite
1993 vintage: mid-amber. Chunky marmalade nose, slight lanolin. Full-bodied, rich and glossy, moderate acidity with intensity of ripe fruits. Still in the full-fruit stage of primary development. Friendly and accessible with long clean finish
1995 vintage: Light amber. Nose full and broad with lanolin, combining raisin/quince fruit with an underlying earthy note. Powerful fruity attack, sustained with intense mineral and chocolate flavours into a long slightly earthy finish typical of Betseks' terroir
Above 5 half-litresper lot