The Royal Tokaji Wine Company Szt. Tamas 2005 (500 ml)

Sharing its microclimate with Nyulaszó, which is virtually on “the next hill” and on the same ridge, Szt Tamas is south facing and can be seen on the right hand side of the road as one enters Mád. The 22 parcels which form the company’s holding in this vineyard are of the very highest quality. Classed a 1st growth in 1700 today Szt Tamas is the most expensive vineyard in its commune - if one can buy any land there at all. Size of Royal Tokaji holding: 11ha, 22 parcels. Soil: rich clay. The winter was quite mild but very long. We had hail at the beginning of May and 4-5 inches rainfall in an hour. There was very cold and rainy period during the blossoming season and it was obvious that yields would be very low. The summer was wet and cold but a wonderfully dry and hot September and October provided us with a small but high quality harvest. The berries had a concentrated aroma and a very clean, fruity flavour because of the hot autumn and low crop. Acidity, which was sharp at the end of August, softened measurably making for an exceptional structure in the wines of this vintage and the lovely Indian summer developed high quality aszu berries in reasonable volume. The skill and traditions of producing Aszú wines have changed little since the 17th Century. Quantities of hand-picked Aszú berries (4, 5 or 6 puttonyos or baskets) are macerated with top quality base wines. This 6 puttonyos wine was fermented 100% in stainless steel tanks with Tokaji yeast and aged for 5 years in used Zemplen oak in our 13th century cellars.