Betsek, 6 Puttonyos, Tokaj – 2013
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Vineyard Profile
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Tokaji Vineyard Classification
In the 1730’s, 28 villages and their vineyards in Tokaj became the first European vineyards to be classified. This classification remains in effect today and was verified by the Hungarian Ministry of Agriculture in 2013.Betsek 1st growth single-vineyard
Betsek hill is a celebrated First Growth vineyard located in the Mád basin. Its volcanic bedrock is overlaid with rich clay mixed with dark, almost black, humus soil and chalk-white minerals. Royal Tokaji owns 15 hectares of south-facing parcels planted with Furmint and Hárslevelű vines with an average age of around 35 years. - Vineyards: Royal Tokaji’s parcels of 1st Growth Betsek single-vineyard (100% Estate)
- Appellation: Tokaj, Hungary
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Vintage Report
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Winter was mild and it was nice to walk outside in a t-shirt in the first half of March. However Mother Nature played a joke on us at the end of the month – we suddenly had 10-12 cm snow just a few days before Easter. Many fruit orchards got severe frost but not the Tokaj vineyards as they are located along hillsides at quite high altitude. The rest of the spring was warm again.
Berry setting was not perfect because of the rain during blossoming, but it did not reduce the crop dramatically and there was no need for a heavy green harvest. Early rains transitioned to drought, but the weather was miraculous after veraison started. We had ideal conditions for developing aszú berries (botrytis-affected grapes resulting in noble rot). It had been several years since such a top vintage for botrytis/aszú, but it was well worth the wait.
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Vinification
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Excellent quality aszú berries with good structure and perfect botrytis were macerated in fermenting must for two days. After pressing and fermentation the wines were transferred into 300-liter second or third fill Hungarian oak casks for three years maturation in Royal Tokaji’s 13th century underground cellars.
- Bottled: May 2017
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Technical Information
- Varietal Composition: Furmint, Hárslevelű
- Alcohol: 11%
- TA: 8.7 g/L
- RS: 182.8 g/L
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Tasting Notes
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Pale lemon color. The nose is attractive with hints of honey, apricot and white pepper (pepper is characteristic of this vineyard). Vibrant citrusy palate with hints of grapefruit, orange zest and white pepper, ending with an extremely long finish.
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Images
Reviews
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Royal Tokaji Betsek 6 Puttonyos – 2013 – Vinous – 92 Points
The 2013 Tokaji Betsek 6-Puttonyos has a complex, winsome bouquet of yellow plum, mirabelle and a touch of lemon curd. The well-balanced palate is very pure in the mouth, offering a viscous entry and a fine bead of acidity. It has a more cohesion than the Nyulászó, and the finish is elegant and poised. I cannot explain why but there is something almost South African on the finish, perhaps a (very) distant echo of a Mullineux straw wine! Tasted at the Royal Tokaji Company tasting in London.
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Royal Tokaji Betsek, 6 Puttonyos, Tokaj – 2013 – Wine & Spirits – 97 Points
Royal Tokaji released a string of exceptional wines from 2013, including this Tokaji Aszú, from a vineyard south of Mád on black volcanic soils. The season owes its success to a wet winter followed by a warm, dry summer. Then a cold snap in September helped preserve acidity in the fruit: Although the residual sugar clocks in at 182.8 grams per liter, and acidity sends the wine’s rich, sweet flavors soaring into a heady cloud of flavor, buzzing wi