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 — 8 months ago
This wine pours up with a frothy, white head with persistent bubbles. The color is onion skin pink. On the nose, the yeasty aroma dominates the apple, berry, and pear notes. The palate displays flavors of apple, toast, and minerality. The acidity is fantastic and the finish is lengthy. — 4 months ago
Finally opened this one at the right time of year. Mom’s Christmas gift a few years ago from my homeland. Ripe peach, dried apricot, golden raisin, honeysuckle, mandarin zest and orange. Volcanic edge. Very nice acidity on a sweet wine. Great for holiday desserts. — 5 months ago
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 palate 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. — 10 months ago
Château Suduiraut, 2023, Sauternes BDX, France 🇫🇷
Overview
Premier Cru Classé Sauternes delivering pure botrytis luxury blend of 80% Semillon, 15% Sauvignon Blanc and 5% Sauvignon Gris with remarkable tension and precision. Lush honeyed richness balanced by vibrant acidity and a beautifully layered texture that feels both decadent and weightless. Sensual, polished, and deeply expressive, this is a dessert wine that seduces rather than overwhelms.
Aromas & Flavors
Orange blossom, acacia honey, apricot confit, ripe peach, saffron, candied citrus peel, subtle vanilla bean, almond paste, and a whisper of ginger spice. Floral lift intertwines with botrytis-driven sweetness and fresh citrus brightness.
Mouthfeel
Silky, viscous, and coating without heaviness. Glycerol richness glides across the palate while acidity keeps the wine lifted, focused, and endlessly drinkable. Long, luxurious, and caressing finish.
Food Pairings
Foie gras torchon, blue cheese (Roquefort or Stilton), apricot tart, almond pastries, honey-drizzled chèvre, citrus-based desserts, or simply enjoyed solo as a contemplative finale.
Verdict
Sublime, sexy, and impeccably balanced. A masterclass in tension between sweetness and freshness, delivering pleasure, elegance, and emotional impact in equal measure. A benchmark nightcap wine.
Did You Know?
Château Suduiraut sits adjacent to Château d’Yquem and shares similar gravelly terroir and noble rot influence, often delivering First Growth-level finesse at a more approachable price point.
🍯 Personal Pick
This wine feels like a French kiss, seductive tension, velvet weight, and honeyed decadence wrapped in electric freshness. The viscosity caresses the palate while the acidity keeps everything irresistibly alive. — 4 months ago
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. — 9 months ago
3.4. A very good bargain for a smooth Bordeaux, nice mix of fruits, minerals and tannin, somewhat mid-bodied, with smooth finish. Deep red with good nose. On sale for $11.99, regularly $14.99. — 2 years ago
Brad Jensen
Light gold with hints of pale green to the edges, the nose on this is very fresh and somewhat vegetal, with notes fresh cold celery alongside the hints of green papaya , baked Citroen tart, and wet river stone. Lots of good tight bubbles, a light to medium body and a real energetic, mineral freshness over a palate of tart yellow stone fruits, a slight yeasty, baked note, but very subtle, mostly mineral and the crisp fruit. Very nice! — 9 days ago