581. Royal Tokaji Wine Company, Tokaji Aszú 5 Puttonyos, 2000

A nice stocking-filler, this one. Technically a half-bottle, but since full bottles of Tokaji are only 50cl, this makes for a decent-sized, 2-glass ‘mini’. Though not profoundly deep or complex, this was certainly a good example, with cleansing acidity balancing the 5 putts of sweetness well. Pale amber with a broad, watery rim – not much colour gradation. Pronounced, sharp, bruised apple, marmalade and above all, grilled apricot fruit, with a touch of caramel. Lots of rôti character, but with freshness of redcurrant jelly & orange peel. Some vanilla hints. Sweet, but with balancing, medium-high acidity, giving lemon marmalade and grapefruit flavours – with grilled peach botrytis character. Medium+ length.