Château Dereszla, Henye Tokaji Aszu 6 Puttonyos, 2017 - 50cl
Château Dereszla, Henye Tokaji Aszu 6 Puttonyos, 2017 - 50cl
- Dessert
- 50CL
- 9%
- Furmint, Hárslevelű, Sárgamuskotály
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Showcasing rich honeyed flavours and notes of dried apricot, Château Dereszla Henye Tokaji Aszu 6 Puttonyos 2017 is luxurious and complex. Its balanced sweetness and long finish make it an ideal pairing for rich desserts and foie gras.
Currently showing beautifully with primary fruit and honey characters well-integrated with botrytis complexity. Over the next decade, expect deeper amber colour development and increased secondary complexity as dried fruit flavours intensify. The wine will reach peak maturity around 2035-2040, developing tertiary characters of caramel, toffee and exotic spices whilst maintaining its essential freshness. With proper storage, it should hold at this plateau until at least 2055, potentially much longer given Tokaji's legendary ageability.
Tasting Notes
AppearanceDeep amber gold with brilliant clarity and viscous tears coating the glass.
NoseConcentrated aromas of dried apricot, candied orange peel and acacia honey dominate. Secondary layers reveal toasted almonds, ginger spice and a distinctive mineral lift. The botrytis influence adds complexity with subtle mushroom and hay characters.
PalateRich and unctuous yet never cloying, with honeyed stone fruits balanced by bright acidity. The volcanic terroir provides a distinctive mineral backbone that cuts through the sweetness. Flavours build to reveal marmalade, candied citrus and warming spices with remarkable concentration and purity.
FinishExceptionally long with honeyed fruit persistence and a clean, mineral-driven conclusion.
Overall impressionA textbook example of 6 Puttonyos Tokaji with perfect balance between richness and acidity.
Food Pairings
In Hungary, Tokaji Aszú traditionally accompanies foie gras, often prepared simply pan-seared to let the wine's complexity shine. Local custom pairs it with rich pâtés and terrines, particularly those made from duck or goose liver. The wine also complements Hungary's famous kürtőskalács (chimney cake) and other honey-sweetened pastries. During festive occasions, it's served alongside marzipan confections and walnut-based desserts that echo the wine's nutty secondary flavours.
We think this wine would go well with
Serve well-chilled at 8-10°C in small tulip-shaped glasses to concentrate the complex aromatics. No decanting required, though opening an hour before serving allows the wine to express its full aromatic potential. Store bottles on their side in a cool, dark place, and once opened, the wine will keep for several weeks in the refrigerator due to its natural preservative qualities from botrytis and high sugar content.
The Henye vineyard sits on volcanic soils with significant clay content, providing excellent water retention for the autumn mists essential to botrytis development. The site's southern exposure and protection from harsh winds create ideal conditions for noble rot formation. The volcanic bedrock imparts distinctive minerality whilst the clay adds richness and weight to the finished wine.
Tokaji Aszú represents one of the world's greatest dessert wine traditions, with 6 Puttonyos indicating approximately 150g of residual sugar per litre. The classification system, dating back centuries, measures the concentration of botrytis-affected grapes added to base wine. This level sits at the top tier of regular production, below only the rare Aszú Eszencia, delivering exceptional richness whilst maintaining the region's characteristic balancing acidity.
The 2017 growing season in Tokaj brought challenging conditions that tested producers' skills. A wet spring delayed budbreak and created disease pressure in the vineyards, requiring careful canopy management throughout the summer months. The crucial autumn period saw mixed weather patterns, with periods of humidity essential for botrytis development alternating with drier spells. These conditions meant that producers needed to be particularly selective during harvest, with multiple passes through the vineyards to capture grapes at optimal ripeness and noble rot development.
The resulting wines show typical Tokaj character but with more restrained intensity than the finest years. Furmint performed reliably, producing wines with good acidity and mineral backbone, while Hárslevelű added its characteristic honeyed notes where botrytis developed properly. The vintage produced solid Aszú wines that display classic oxidative complexity and sweetness balance, though they lack the exceptional concentration of legendary years. These wines are drinking well now but will benefit from further cellaring over the next decade, developing the tertiary flavours that make mature Tokaj so distinctive.
FAQs
What does 6 Puttonyos mean?
The Puttonyos system measures sweetness and concentration in Tokaji Aszú. 6 Puttonyos indicates around 150g of residual sugar per litre, representing the addition of six hods (puttony) of botrytis-affected grapes to 136 litres of base wine. This is the highest regular classification, producing wines of exceptional richness and complexity.
How long will this wine keep once opened?
Tokaji Aszú keeps remarkably well once opened due to its high sugar content and natural preservatives from botrytis. Stored in the refrigerator with a good cork, it will maintain quality for 4-6 weeks, sometimes longer. The wine's complexity often continues to develop even after opening.
What makes Tokaji unique among dessert wines?
Tokaji's distinction lies in the specific climate conditions of the region that promote botrytis cinerea (noble rot), the volcanic soils that provide minerality, and indigenous grape varieties like Furmint that retain acidity even when affected by botrytis. This combination creates dessert wines with exceptional balance between sweetness and freshness.
Is this wine ready to drink now or should I cellar it?
This 2017 vintage is drinking beautifully now, showing excellent integration of primary fruit and botrytis characters. However, it will continue developing complexity for decades. Drink now for youthful vibrancy or cellar until 2035-2040 for peak tertiary development.
Why is the bottle only 50cl?
Tokaji Aszú traditionally comes in 50cl bottles due to its intensity and the labour-intensive production process. The smaller format reflects both the wine's richness - a little goes a long way - and the precious nature of botrytis-affected grapes, which produce much lower yields than regular wine grapes.
What food pairings work best with 6 Puttonyos Tokaji?
Classic pairings include foie gras, blue cheeses like Roquefort, and rich desserts featuring nuts, honey or stone fruits. It also pairs beautifully with dark chocolate, crème brûlée, and fruit tarts. The wine's acidity allows it to cut through rich, fatty foods whilst complementing sweet preparations.
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