Royal Tokaji releases 2013 single vineyard wines

Royal Tokaji has released its trilogy of 2013 single vineyard ‘Aszú’ wines with the statement that: “no vintage so far this century has delivered such perfectly balanced Aszú wines.”

Just 11,463 bottles of the three wines from the vineyards of Betsek, Nyulászló and Szt Tamás have been made – the first since 2008.

The 2013 vintage in Tokay was difficult at first, with heavy snowfall at the end of March and frosts hitting vineyards such as Mézes Mály although those sites at higher elevations were generally spared.

After veraison the weather was “perfect” for the development of aszú wines, with misty mornings but drying winds blowing in from the great Hungarian plain.

All three of the single vineyard wines are 6 puttonyos with 10%-11% alcohol, 7.8g-11.1g per litre of acidity and 172.2g-182.8g per litre of sugar.

The Betsek is the sweetest of the trio and the Szt Tamás has the highest acidity (see notes below).

In addition to the single vineyard wines, the winery has also released a 2013 Blue Label, 5 puttonyos aszú and 2013 Gold Label 6 puttonyos aszú.

The wines are available on allocation from fine wine merchants around the world in cases of either six or two bottles (of 500ml each).

In the UK they are available from BBR, Cru and Farr Vintners with a retail price of £54 a bottle.

Betsek 2013, 6 puttonyos Aszú 1st growth 11%vol Sugar: 182.8g/l Acidity:8.7g/l

Nyulászó 2013, 6 puttonyos Aszú 1st growth 11%vol Sugar:172.2g/l Acidity: 7.8g/l

Szt. Tamás 2013, 6 puttonyos Aszú 1st growth 10%vol Sugar:175.69g/l Acidity:11.1g/l