Szt. Tamás, 6 Puttonyos, Tokaj – 2008
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Introduction
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Single-Vineyard
First Growth, 6 Puttonyos
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Vineyard Profile
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The Szt. Tamás (SENT tahm-ash) Vineyard is located north of Royal Tokaji’s Nyulászó Vineyard on south-facing slopes at nearly 220 meters (720 feet), overlooking the winery’s cellars. Nearly all of Royal Tokaji’s 22 parcels in Szt. Tamás are in the top league. Named for the apostle Saint Thomas, the vineyard has red, volcanic clay soil, high in iron oxide, that has the ability to retain moisture, which is very helpful in drought years. Wines produced from grapes grown in Szt. Tamás have a lovely, pure fruitiness, nice acidity and good ageability.
- Appellation: Tokaj
- Size: 11.9 hectares (29.4 acres)
- Vine Age: 7.2 hectares (17.79 acres) planted 1982-1987; 4.7 hectares (11.61 acres) planted 2001
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Vintage Report
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A very mild winter was followed by rain from spring until early summer. In August, the weather changed dramatically. September was cool and wet again, delaying ripening. A lovely and very long Indian summer from early October turned a good vintage into a great one. The miraculous weather provided perfect conditions for developing aszú berries and the harvest was of unmatched quality.
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Vinification
- Barrel Aging: 24 months in old Hungarian oak
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Technical Information
- Varietal Composition: Primarily Furmint with some Hárslevelü and a small percentage of Muscat
- Production (in cases): 394 cases
- Production Case Pack: 6/500ml
- Alcohol: 11.7%
- TA: 9.9g/L
- RS: 174g/L
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Tasting Notes
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Plenty of citrus dominated by orange peel. A cascade of fruit with some spice on the nose and the palate. Magically balanced with a delicate acidity.
- Serving Suggestions: Royal Tokaji’s Aszú wines are wonderful on their own as an apéritif or digestif, with cigars and petits fours. Given their bright acidity, these wines also pair well with a wide variety of foods, including foie gras, fruit tarts, chocolate desserts and a variety of cheeses. Serve slightly chilled at 12 to 15 degrees Celsius (54 to 59 degrees Fahrenheit) in a small port glass or a glass of similar size.
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Images
Reviews
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Royal Tokaji Szt. Tamás, 6 Puttonyos, Tokaj – 2008 – Vinous – 93 Points
Bright orange-gold. Smells lighter and livelier than the Betsek, offering fruitier aromas of peach and apricot. Then fresh, high-pitched and tight on the palate, with lively acidity framing and lifting the flavors of orange zest, apricot and spices. Finishes youthful, silky and long. Like the Betsek, this is a blend of furmint, Hárslevelü and yellow Muscat.
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Royal Tokaji Szt. Tamás, 6 Puttonyos, Tokaj – 2008 – Wine & Spirits – 94 Points
Royal Tokaji focuses most of its energy on aszú wines—a sweet style on which the region has based its fame. However, they’ve been working on dry wines for more than a decade; their flagship dry bottling, now called The Oddity, is regularly one of the region’s best. This rarer bottling, from the iron rich Szt. Tamas vineyard, shows how well furmint can age when it’s grown and harvested carefully: It’s a riveting wine, the apple and peach notes full and firm, girded with an earthy, volcanic-rock warmth. It lasts, emanating a warm, lively energy, and was still going strong...