Tokaji

I recently opened a bottle I'd been holding for a while, Oremus Tokaji Aszu 1995, 5 Puttonyos. It was everything I had read, pure honey on the tongue, with a touch of apricot nectar, dessert but not cloying.
Now I'm in a quandary. I bought a 3 Puttonyos 2001, Tokai Borkulonlegesseg/Tokaji Wine Specialty, produced and bottled by Tokaj Kereskedohaz Rt. Has anyone ever heard of these people, how long might I hold it (the purveyor said it had been on the shelf a long time, obviously not terribly popular around here), and although I know 3 is not 5, what might I expect when I do open it?
Thanks for any advice you can offer.

2001 was a lesser vintage for classic Tokaji Aszú: the fruit of these wines is typically obscured by dominating botrytis aroma. And it's not the best quality of botrytis you could think of: dusty and not clean.
The 2001 Pendits Aszú 6 Puttonyos (which actually is an Aszúeszencia) is by far the best Tokaji I've ever had from this vintage. I strongly recommend you to buy this if you can get hold of it (sold out at the winery). - Cheers, Rainer

I wondered why it was so inexpensive! Well, it's mine now, so I guess it's going to be drunk rather than held.
Are there any particular "brands" you can recommend? The local stores don't have anything; whatever I purchase, I'll have to travel for (NJ still doesn't allow shipping from out-of-state).
Thanks.
I did see something called "Red Label". ???

[Jenise]

Marlyne, the fewer the puttonyos, the dryer/lighter the wine (though neither dry nor light), and those have their place. They make splendid afternoon apperitifs to sip while sitting on the Danube (trust me, I've done it) where the higher puttonyos wines are the better after dinner drinks.

Are there any particular "brands" you can recommend?

Hi Marlyne, I usually don't go for the well-known "brands". My favourite Tokaji producers are mostly boutique wineries:
- Pendits in Abaújszántó (in particular their wines made in 97,01,03!,06)
- Disznóko in Mezozombor (in particular their wines made in 93!,99,05)
- Úri Borok Pincészete in Mád (in particular their wines made in 93!,94,99,03!)
- Demeter Zoltán Pincészet in Tokaj
- Szent Benedek Pincészet in Tállya (in particular their dry wines made in 08!)
- Bott Pince in Tokaj (in particular their made in 06,08,10,11!)
- Királyudvar in Tarcal
I'd recommend you to travel to the Tokaj region and explore the offerings there.

Marlyne, the fewer the puttonyos, the dryer/lighter the wine (though neither dry nor light), and those have their place. They make splendid afternoon apperitifs to sip while sitting on the Danube (trust me, I've done it) where the higher puttonyos wines are the better after dinner drinks.

Hi Jenise, you're right in saying that the number of puttonyos doesn't necessarily correlate with the wine's quality. E.g. I've always preferred the 1993 Disznóko 5 puttonyos over their 6 puttonyos from the same vintage.

Cheers, Rainer

I'm a big fan of Istvan Szepsy. The 6 puttonyos is incredibly intricate and detailed, and for a wine of such heft and sweetness, surprisingly light on its feet where other 6 puttonyos Tokaji can be a little muddled and rambunctious in youth. Stylistically different than anyone else, but amazing wine. Unless something has changed, 3,4,5 puttonyos are not even produced at Szepsy (though the dry wines can also be incredible.)

Cheers,
Bill

I did see something called "Red Label". ???

Red Label is from the Royal Tokaji Company for their 5 Puttynos (red is USA,blue is rest of the world).

http://www.royal-tokaji.com/tokaji_wine_red_blue.php

This is by far the most common Tokaji I come across, though I like it very much. It's usually at a very reasonable price too.

Not to knock south-central NJ (well, just a little) but the selection here isn't the best. I think the Oremus I had was a special-order, back in the day when they would order just one bottle for a customer. I'll probably have to check out the shops nearer NY (or in NY) for a better selection, but I'm going to save this post so I'll at least have some idea of the various producers.
Thanks for all the info.

Found the Royal Tokaji (Red Label) 2007. Any TNs on it? Not costly, but even so, I'd rather not get another potential loser (I know there are no guarantees until you actually pop the cork, but still...).
Thanks.