Tasting Note:
- Appearance: This Royal Tokaji Late Harvest 2018 boasts a pale gold color, hinting at its delicate nature. The clarity of the wine suggests a light and refreshing character.
- Aroma: The nose opens with a delightful and inviting bouquet. Aromas of exotic fruits like litchi and peach dominate, intertwined with subtle hints of citrus (lime, orange peel) and honey. Floral notes of jasmine and freesia add a touch of elegance, while a hint of spice (clove) emerges in the background.
- Palate: The first sip offers a delightful interplay of sweetness, fruitiness, and refreshing acidity. The sweetness is balanced and not cloying, with flavors of honeyed peach, litchi, and a touch of apricot dancing across the palate. The vibrant acidity keeps the wine lively and prevents it from feeling heavy. A touch of botrytis character, a hallmark of Tokaji wines, adds a subtle richness and complexity.
- Finish: The finish is clean and refreshing, with lingering notes of honey, apricot, and a hint of spice. A touch of minerality, characteristic of Tokaji wines from volcanic soils, may linger in the background.
Overall, Royal Tokaji Late Harvest 2018 is a charming and well-balanced dessert wine that showcases the elegance of Hungarian Tokaji. The interplay of sweetness, acidity, and fruitiness makes it a delightful wine to enjoy on its own or paired with desserts.
Food Pairing:
Royal Tokaji Late Harvest 2018 is a charming dessert wine with a balance of sweetness, acidity, and fruitiness. Here are some delicious pairings to complement its character:
Classic Dessert Pairings:
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Fruit-Based Desserts: Pair the wine with desserts that feature similar fruit flavors, such as peach melba, apricot tart, or a fruit salad with a touch of honey. The wine’s sweetness and fruit notes will echo and enhance the flavors of the dessert.
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Creamy Desserts: The sweetness and acidity of the Tokaji can balance the richness of creamy desserts like crème brûlée, panna cotta, or cheesecake. The wine’s botrytis character can add a touch of complexity to the pairing.
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Blue Cheese: For a more adventurous pairing, try this late harvest wine with blue cheese. The sweetness of the wine can help to balance the sharpness and saltiness of the cheese, creating a delightful contrast.
Additional Pairings:
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Foie Gras: The richness of foie gras can be surprisingly complemented by the sweetness and acidity of the Tokaji. The wine’s honeyed notes can cut through the richness of the foie gras, creating a harmonious pairing.
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Dark Chocolate: Explore pairing the wine with dark chocolate, especially with a percentage of 70% or higher. The bitterness of the chocolate will balance the sweetness of the wine, while the chocolate’s richness will complement the wine’s honeyed notes.
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Fresh Fruit and Cheese Plate: A selection of fresh fruits like pears, apples, and grapes paired with cheeses like brie or goat cheese offers a lighter and refreshing way to enjoy the wine.
- Avg Price (ex-tax)
- $ 24/ 750ml
This wine is labeled as ‘Ats Cuvee’ in Hungary, ‘Mad Cuvee’ in the USA and ‘Late Harvest’ in the rest of the World.
Tokaji was the first wine knowingly to be made from botrytized or „noble rotten” grapes. The conditions that cause the rot, the shrivelling of the grapes, and the intense concentration of their sugar, acidity and flavour are unique to the Tokaj region.
https://royal-tokaji.com/portfolio/royal-tokaji-late-harvest-2019/
Awards:
2020 IWSC/Late Harvest 2018/Silver Medal,
2020 DWWA/Late Harvest 2018/Bronze Medal,
2020 IWC/Late Harvest 2018/Silver Medal,
2021 Wine Spectator/Late Harvest 2018/90 tasting score,
2022 Wine Enthusiast/Late Harvest 2018/92 tasting score,
2022 National Wine Competition/Late Harvest 2018/Gold Medal
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