Royal Tokaji

Ever on the hunt for a new yummy dessert wine, marius and i picked up a bottle of 2000 5 puttonyos Royal Tokaji. It is a delightful wine. While a 5 puttonyos it is still not too sweet, a good compromise wine when dealing with sweet and non sweet tooths. The Tokaji is smooth, sophisticated, well balanced with a long silky finish. Oak, Walnut, Apricot, Apple, Pear, Honey are all present along with a citrus sour. Reminiscent of a calvados, brandy, even reminds me of the sadly no longer produced York Mountain Sherry.

I am absolutely dying to taste the '99 Essencia. At $500 a bottle, Marius suggested I find myself a Sugar Daddy. Perhaps I should settle for a 6 puttonyos?


TOKAJI’S ROYAL CONNECTION AND RENAISSANCE
The first Tokaji Aszú (toh-KAY ah-SOO) wine was created in the 1600s, perhaps by accident — a harvest delayed by threat of enemy invasion. In 1700, Tokaj became the first European region to have its vineyards classified, its uniquely varied terroirs and climates rated Primae Classis, Secundae Classis, Tertius Classis (“1st Growth, 2nd Growth, 3rd Growth”) by Prince Rakoczi of Transylvania. This classification system is still used in Hungary today. Louis XIV of France (1638 - 1715) declared Tokaji “the wine of Kings and the King of wines”, while in the 18th century, Catherine the Great stationed soldiers in Tokaj to protect her vineyards.

Quality production ended with World Wars I and II and the Communist takeover of Hungarian winemaking. Aszú grapes were used for mass production in factories, with vineyard distinctions lost in giant tanks. Tokaji’s renaissance began after the collapse of communism with The Royal Tokaji Wine Company (RTWC) in 1989, inspired by well-known wine author, Hugh Johnson, and others. RTWC’s founders started the winery in an effort to preserve what they considered a dying art. “I couldn’t resist bringing back to life a wine that had been so renowned centuries ago,” says Johnson.

For More information:
Royal Tokaji
Wilson Daniels Ltd.

Castoro Cellars 2006 Muscat Canelli Paso Robles

Castoro Cellars was founded by the husband and wife team of Niels and Bimmer Udsen with a warm and welcoming style. The winery was named after the Italian translation of Niels’ long-time nickname, “Beaver,” prompting the motto “Dam Fine Wine.” From the wine cellar to the tasting room, all who contribute to Castoro wines hold strongly to the belief that high quality wines should be accessible to all consumers.

Picked up this bottle of Muscat Canelli at Trader Joe's. Very fragrant with lots of Peach and Apricot aromas. Some hint of apple and citrus. The taste unfortunately is not very well balanced. After the initial sweet peach and apple taste is followed by rubber alcohol and a bitter after taste. But for 5.95 it is not a bad sweet wine.

Marius Rating: 85