Betsek, 6 Puttonyos, Tokaj — 2016
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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 (100% Estate)
- Appellation: Tokaj, Hungary
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Vintage Report
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In truly exceptional years Royal Tokaji selects the finest berries from its classed vineyards and carefully produces a few barrels of single vineyard aszú wine. 2016 is such a year, just the seventh this century, and the quality was so exceptional that we are releasing the widest range of aszú wines since 2008.
After a mild and dry winter, we had a long spring with warm days and cool nights. The flowering season was unusually long and there was an uneven fruit set in many vineyards due to some late spring frosts. Throughout the summer, the weather was almost perfect. In July and August, the region was hit by hail, but there was no serious damage. From the middle of August, botrytis started to spread all over the region. We hand-harvested each intensely flavored aszú berry from the bunches on the vines. The aszú harvest required multiple passes through each block over many weeks!
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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 two 500-liter neutral Hungarian Zemplen oak casks for maturation over two years in Royal Tokaji’s 13th century cellars.
- Bottled: May 2019
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Technical Information
- Varietal Composition: Furmint, Hárslevelű
- Cases Imported: 100
- Alcohol: 10.5%
- TA: 10.2 g/L
- RS: 185.8 g/L
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Tasting Notes
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This wine is weighty and spicy, with a nose of appealing honey and apricot leading to a palate with hints of grapefruit, orange zest and white pepper, vibrant acidity and an extremely long finish.
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Images
Reviews
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Royal Tokaji Betsek, 6 Puttonyos, Tokaj — 2016 – Wine Enthusiast – 97 Points
This Tokaji Aszu is golden in color, with ethereal aromas of honeysuckle, acacia, fresh peach and canned apricots. Flavors come to life in the mouth, with honeycomb, pear and canned apricot. Well-balanced acidity is an excellent foil for the delightful sweetness.
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Royal Tokaji Betsek, 6 Puttonyos, Tokaj — 2016 – Wine & Spirits – 95 Points
Royal Tokaji's portion of the crescent-shaped Betsek vineyard is toward the bottom of the slope, where cool air collects and the rich clay soil holds that chill. Perhaps you can taste the contrast of rich and cool in this 2016, the wine filled with creamy apricot-and-peach density of flavor, yet lifted by brisk spice, citrus and floral notes. It feels vivacious and pretty, carrying itself with an ease that belies its sweetness (it's richest of Royal Tokaji's 2016 aszús, at 185 grams per liter of residual sugar).
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Royal Tokaji Betsek, 6 Puttonyos, Tokaj — 2016 – Jancis Robinson – 18+ Points
Mid gold in colour with a very youthful, pure nose of dried apricot and saffron. Great power and density on the palate, with real weight and generosity of fruit. The cut of mouth-watering acidity adds a savoury, earthy quality that brings a lip-smacking, spicy finish. Very powerful and rich, with glossy honey and stone fruits lingering for a minute or more. Superb and very ageworthy.
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Royal Tokaji Betsek, 6 Puttonyos, Tokaj — 2016 – Vinous – 96 Points
The 2016 Betsek First Growth Tokaji Aszú 6 Puttonyos contains the most residual sugar this vintage, at 185.8g/L. The clean, pure bouquet offers dried honey, a light adhesive note, lanolin and candle wax, very complex and mercurial in the glass. The elegant, well-balanced palate features apricot, quince, marmalade and a touch of ginger. What I adore is the manner in which this Betsek builds in the mouth and fans out like a great Tokaji ought to. Another outstanding single-vineyard offering from the Royal Tokaji Company.