I too have been turned to the white side lately. Here is peanutman's tale:
--- peanutman's review ---
Can't believe I'm drinking more whites than reds lately, but I like experience. Reds start back this Thursday with a Super Tuscan for my 41st Bday. Here is a wine that I loved, but for those reading please take into consideration that I don't know much about white wines.
Concha y Toro Late Harvest Sauvignon Blanc, 2005. Value 5 out of 5, score 92. $14.29 for a 375 ml. I have never paid more than $18 for a white, but this was well worth the money.
In the latest Tidings magazine, they give the 2006 a score of 90 and describe it as such: Bouquet is fresh, yet with complex citrus, honey and spicy notes. (My take on the 05, grapefruit and honey). Displays similar finesse on the refreshingly light palate, with lingering sensations of honeyed sweetness and deftly balanced acidity. Bears an extraordinary resemblance to Sauternes. My take on the 05 is pretty much the same but I'm not certain about the acidity. If this is what a Sauternes tastes like, I will have to try one. Not that I know what heaven tastes like, nevertheless this was heaven in my mouth. BTW, this has a beautiful golden color.
Showing posts with label Dessert Wine. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Dessert Wine. Show all posts
Monday, February 15, 2010
Sunday, February 8, 2009
Royal Tokaji Aszu 5 Puttonyos / Blue Label 1996
Tokaj is a town in northern Hungary, and Tokaji its sweet, white, botrytised wine. Produced beginning in 
the 16th century and famously prized by nobility of many countries, Tokaji was apparently so valuable to the tsars of Russia that an entire detachment of Cossacks was maintained for the purpose of escorting convoys of it from Hungary to St Petersburg. It declined in the 20th century through a combination of phylloxera epidemics and neglect during two world wars and Soviet rule. In the 1980s international investment and production resurged.
Tokaji is made primarily from the grape varieties Furmint and Hárslevelû, although four others are permitted. It is made from aszú, which are dry grapes affected with botrytis fungus (a.k.a. the "noble rot"). The grapes are placed in a wooden hod called a puttony, from which the sweet, concentrated juice drains. "5 Puttonyos" indicates how many hods of grapes go into a unit of wine, and therefore its sweetness. 5 Puttonyos is midway between the driest and sweetest types of Tokaji.
Norman picked this Tokaji up on sale for $9/bottle after the Expo in 2003 or so. It is viscous, with the rich topaz colour characteristic of Tokaji. The nose is an intense mix of raisins, spice, candied orange rind, and floral notes. On the palate, sweetness is nicely balanced with a sharp acidity. It is best served cold. We found it to be interesting for a change, and also excellent in itself. I enjoyed a small glass in lieu of dessert and felt like royalty.
250 ml
Price: This was bought at ANBL on clearance sale for approx $10. Price for the current vintage in the US is about $40 for 500ml
Score: 91
Value: 4/5
Region: Tokaj, Hungary
Grape: Furmint, Hárslevelû
UPC: no longer listed
the 16th century and famously prized by nobility of many countries, Tokaji was apparently so valuable to the tsars of Russia that an entire detachment of Cossacks was maintained for the purpose of escorting convoys of it from Hungary to St Petersburg. It declined in the 20th century through a combination of phylloxera epidemics and neglect during two world wars and Soviet rule. In the 1980s international investment and production resurged.Tokaji is made primarily from the grape varieties Furmint and Hárslevelû, although four others are permitted. It is made from aszú, which are dry grapes affected with botrytis fungus (a.k.a. the "noble rot"). The grapes are placed in a wooden hod called a puttony, from which the sweet, concentrated juice drains. "5 Puttonyos" indicates how many hods of grapes go into a unit of wine, and therefore its sweetness. 5 Puttonyos is midway between the driest and sweetest types of Tokaji.
Norman picked this Tokaji up on sale for $9/bottle after the Expo in 2003 or so. It is viscous, with the rich topaz colour characteristic of Tokaji. The nose is an intense mix of raisins, spice, candied orange rind, and floral notes. On the palate, sweetness is nicely balanced with a sharp acidity. It is best served cold. We found it to be interesting for a change, and also excellent in itself. I enjoyed a small glass in lieu of dessert and felt like royalty.
250 ml
Price: This was bought at ANBL on clearance sale for approx $10. Price for the current vintage in the US is about $40 for 500ml
Score: 91
Value: 4/5
Region: Tokaj, Hungary
Grape: Furmint, Hárslevelû
UPC: no longer listed
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