Freddy R. Troya

9.8

Royal Tokaji – 5 Puttonyos Aszú 2016
Tokaj – Hungary 🇭🇺

Overview
A classic Tokaji Aszú, made from grapes affected by Botrytis cinerea (noble rot), then macerated with must to create Hungary’s legendary sweet wine. The 5 puttonyos designation signals a rich yet balanced level of sweetness, around 120 g/L residual sugar. (Educational note: “Puttonyos” refers to the traditional baskets of aszú berries added — the higher the number, the sweeter and more concentrated the wine.)

Aromas & Flavors
Lush apricot, honey, and candied orange peel at the forefront, layered with quince, dried fig, and lemon curd. Hints of saffron, ginger, and toasted almond bring exotic spice and complexity.

Mouthfeel
Velvety and lusciously sweet, balanced by vibrant acidity that keeps it lifted. Full-bodied yet precise, with a long, honeyed finish that leaves both richness and freshness.

Food Pairings
Perfect with blue cheese, foie gras, or fruit tarts. Also excellent with roasted nuts, crème brûlée, or simply savored on its own as a meditative dessert wine.

Verdict
A benchmark Tokaji — rich, layered, and perfectly balanced. The 2016 vintage of Royal Tokaji 5 Puttonyos Aszú offers indulgence and structure, proving why Tokaji has been called “the wine of kings.” 👑🍷

Did You Know?
Tokaji Aszú is one of the world’s oldest regulated wines — protected since 1737, nearly a century before Bordeaux’s 1855 classification.

Collector’s Rarity 📌
Royal Tokaji’s Aszú wines are globally sought after, and a 5 puttonyos 2016 bottling represents both a collectible dessert wine and a piece of vinous history — a month ago

Adam Kincaid

9.0

60% Touriga Nacional
20% Touriga Franca
20% Tinta Roriz

Dark purple color, with a lot of earthy components. Floral notes with a wooden accents, vanilla, and dark ripened fruit. All with a bit of leather. Nicely balanced with just a medium tannin structure. A lot softer than the flavors and scents give off. I think it’s delicious, and the 2018 is drinking quite primely right now. — 6 months ago

with Jillian

Freddy R. Troya

9.0

A lovely red blend of 60% Touriga Nacional, 20% Touriga Franca, 20% Tinta Roriz, red fruits, intense aromatics, fruity, and very smooth and silky, inviting mouthfeel, delicious texture and long finish! Never disappoints! — 9 months ago

Jody's Mostly Natty

9.3

My new favorite Austrian wine! Had the Josephine a while back but we did not become great friends. Anatasius, however, is playful, fruitful, and slightly bubbly. Made a new friend. — 3 months ago

Bob McDonald

9.6

Pale crimson in colour - nearly transparent. Has that luscious mouthfeel typical of many Tasmanian Pinot. Great palate intensity. Cherry with some stemmy herbal notes. One of those wines where the pale colour doesn’t prepare you for the profound palate intensity. Only 20% whole bunches in the ferment which shows sensitive intuitive winemaking. Winner of the Trophy for the best Pinot Noir at Royal Adelaide and also at Royal Hobart Wine Shows. Incredible value for such a highly awarded wine: 6 bottles @ $39.95 each. Luckily I have 3 bottles left. Plan to have one each year - 2027, 2028 and 2029. — 3 months ago

"Odedi"

9.2

It is time for my #FridayCabernetfix.

Inky in color with a reddish rim.

Fruity nose with black fruits, wood, earth, spices, tobacco, vegetables, coffee, herbs and chocolates.

Full-bodied with medium acidity and long legs.

Dry on the palate with black currants, plums, cooked cherries, light oak, spices, chocolates, licorice, coffee, light vanilla, tobacco leaf, herbs, peppercorn, earth and black tea.

Long finish with round tannins and tangy raspberries.

This is a delicious Cabernet Sauvignon based Bordeaux blend from Israel. Rich and extracted. Fruit forward and elegant.

Complex and well structured with good balance. Feels like a very rich Left Bank Bordeaux.

I've had a few vintages of this wine, and it is very consistent.

This 4 year old Cabernet is still young but already Complex, and will continue to age nicely in the next 10 years.

Needs a couple of hours to open up properly, and bring out the complexity and structure, but good right out of the bottle too.

A great sipping wine that will also pair nicely with a big piece of steak.

A blend of 86% Cabernet Sauvignon, 9% Cabernet Franc, 3% Syrah and 2% Petite Sirah.

14% alcohol by volume.

92 points.

$50. — 6 months ago

Lyn Farmer

9.5

Excellent example of a well-aged Tokaji. Medium amber color work loads of orange peel, apricot, lemon, honey, marmalade, pineapple, vanilla, dried apricot, and caramel. Sweet but superbly balanced with high acidity. Very long finish - outstanding quality. — 9 months ago

Freddy R. Troya

9.0

Champagne Pommery – Brut Royale
Reims, France 🇫🇷

Overview
A signature non-vintage brut from the historic Maison Pommery, created in homage to Madame Louise Pommery, who revolutionized Champagne in 1874 by launching the first successful Brut style. Crafted from a blend of Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, and Pinot Meunier, sourced from over 40 carefully selected villages across the Côte des Blancs, Montagne de Reims, and surrounding areas.

Aromas & Flavors
Nose: lively and elegant, showing green apple, citrus zest, fresh berries, and delicate florals.
Palate: vibrant and approachable, with notes of red fruit, lemon, brioche, and honeyed almond, balanced by a smooth texture and a long, clean finish.

Mouthfeel
Crisp, bright, and cheerful with a silky mousse. It carries freshness and finesse without being overly dry, offering harmony between fruitiness and elegance.

Winemaking & Style
Made in the traditional méthode champenoise, this cuvée reflects Pommery’s fresh, vivacious house style. Extended aging on lees adds depth and subtle pastry notes while retaining brightness.

Food Pairing
Pairs effortlessly with oysters, shrimp cocktail, sushi, light poultry dishes, or creamy cheeses. Also excellent as a versatile aperitif for celebrations.

Verdict
A vivid, refined, and timeless Champagne, capturing the legacy of Madame Pommery’s pioneering spirit. Smooth, lively, and endlessly enjoyable — a brut that never disappoints. — 3 months ago

Joel Lara

9.2

Initially, the wine seemed pretty closed so let it decant for about an hour and a half to open up. Smooth mouthfeel with nice acidity and beautiful long finish. On the palette primarily roasted strawberries with subtle hints of spice, but finish is amazing with some beautiful floral notes contrasting with black tea, and some herbal notes for good measure. Nicely well integrated, nuanced flavors. — 3 months ago

Sean Lyons

9.3

Smells of dark cherries, Coke, vanilla, some apple pie, cinnamon. The initial taste is really great - loads of rich, fruity (prunes) and vanilla sweetness, offset with an interesting tannin. It has a medium finish where the oak becomes more pronounced. Best brandy I’ve had in a while. — 7 months ago