Maybe Tokaj isn't part of your perspective yet, and you think sweet wine is cloying and dull anyway? If so, you are the ideal candidate to try great Tokaji wines! Perhaps my tasting notes make you want to start your own discoveries in this regard. Please let me know, if you need assistance to get hold of some great Tokaji bottles. Maybe I can help here.
The following are notes from a series of tastings with Tokaji producers and with my family spread across several weeks — just collated here in one place.
Disznóko, Mezozombor - thanks to László Mészáros & his charming team:
1993 Aszú 5 puttonyos - Still showing fresh, primary fruit on the nose (mango/apricot/raspberry). Lots of tension and vitality on the palate thanks to fabulous fruit, complex tannins (with some flavour of white truffles), deep minerality and vibrant acidity. Interestingly, this mouth-feel reminds me of great red Burgundies made from old vines. My personal rating: 94/100.
2005 Aszú 6 puttonyos "Kapi" - I believe this is made from a severe selection from Disznóko's best parcel. Nice orange-like fruit (of rather cool character) and refreshing acidity. Both intensity and complexity of this wine's minerality are simply mind-boggling. What a pure and uncompromising beauty! It reminded me somehow of music from Johann Sebastian Bach. Congratulations to you, László! My rating: 95-96/100.
Úri Borok Pincészete, Mád - thanks to Vince & Szilvia Gergely:
2003 Muskotály Aszúeszencia - If you want to try otherwordly tangerines you should try this. My recent impressions are largely consistent with my earlier notes from 2010 > viewtopic.php?f=3&t=41203
1994 Aszú 6 puttonyos - A classic, wonderfully balanced Tokaji. It ages at a glacial pace. A sample bottle opened 2 months ago didn't show much change compared to a freshly opened one. My rating: 93/100.
Árvay Családi Pince, Rátka - thanks to Angelika Árvay:
2011 Aszú (a barrel sample) - About 200g/l of residual sugar. Sublime, refreshing nose reminiscent of white flowers, luxury class green tea and salty minerality. No signs of heaviness at all. Ethereal creaminess on the palate, thick an viscous, luscious fruit, surprisingly light on its feet thanks to the magic quality of its backbone of Furmint tannins and the vibrant 2011 acidity. It makes you close your eyes and enjoy the moment. What a breath-taking beauty! My rating: 94-96/100.
Pendits, Abaújszántó - thanks to Márta & Stefan Wille-Baumkauff:
2003 Aszúeszencia - The most complete Tokaji wine I know. I believe, in earlier times the whole harvest of a wine like this would have been 'confiscated' by the Russian tsar. If the above-mentioned Disznóko "Kapi" is Bach, this is Beethoven. Again, my recent impressions of this are consistent with my earlier notes from 2010 > viewtopic.php?f=3&t=35204
Szent Benedek Pincészet, Tállya - thanks to József Ádám:
2008 Furmint Szent Tamás - The best dry Furmint I know > viewtopic.php?f=3&t=43630
Bott Pince, Tokaj - thanks to Judit & József Bodó:
2010 Furmint BOTT - Furmint grapes from this domaine's best vineyards were blended into this highly refreshing late harvest wine (about 30g/l of residual sugar). All components are in wonderful balance and make this such a seductive wine. My rating: 90/100.
2011 Furmint Teleki (from barrel) - Grown on loess soil (on the Tokaj mountain). In the Tokaj region this type of soil is known for its tendency to produce rather elegant wines showing less depth and complexity than wines produced on clay soil (Nyirok). High-toned on the nose with white flowers and hints of sweet pears, perfectly balanced by the highly-aromatic and fresh 2011 acidity. On the palate it confirms these impressions. It's rather light but highly seductive. My rating: 87-89/100.
Balassa Bor, Mád - thanks to István Balassa:
István's promising Furmint wines from Szent Tamás, Betsek and Thurzó (vineyards in Mád, all from 2009 vintage) are showing high-toned, warm fruit with complex acidity, under-pinned by characteristic minerality. They clearly benefit from airing. I'd rate them between 87 and 90/100. (maybe I'm underestimating them?)
Breitenbach Pince, Bodrogkisfalud (thanks to János Kiss) as well as Majoros Birtok, Tarcal (thanks to Laszlo Majoros):
Various samples of wines from 2011 tasted from barrel - promising, complex and harmonious wines. I'm keen to retaste them after bottling.
Cheers, Rainer