Weather was miraculous after the veraison started. We could not even dream for nicer conditions for developing aszu berries. This actually applies more to the Northern bit of the region rather than to the South part.
We had a bit of dry weather around Mád. This is one of the reasons that not a lot of single vineyard aszu wines were made. However, their quality is excellent.
It is obvious that 2013 is among top vintages for Royal Tokaji regarding the quality of both dry and sweet wines, especially aszu wines. We had to fast for a long time to have it as said here.
A pale gold colour that is reminiscent of dried bales of golden hay. Rich and ethereal nose with a hint of pear, quince, peach and fresh grapes. The richness of the nose and palate coupled with a seam of elegant acidity provide a perfect balance with a long finish.
ROYAL TOKAJI LATE HARVEST 2013
Winter was quite mild. It was nice to walk outside in a T-shirt already in the first half of March. However Mother Nature made a joke on us at the end of the month. We suddenly had 10-12 cm snow and frost just a few days before Easter. Many of the other fruit orchards got horrible frost but not Tokaj vineyards as they are located along hillsides at quite high altitude. The rest of the spring was warm again.
Up to the middle of June we had great worry to face another very rainy season as we had had over two thirds of the annual average rainfall by then. Berry setting was not perfect because of the rain during blossoming but it did not reduce crop dramatically. It was just enough of having no need of doing heavy green harvest. Some of us already predicted good aszu vintage by the large berry size and their thin skin by the middle of July.
August was extremely hot and dry. Thanks for the high rainfall before vineyards looked really nice and only tiny patches suffered from the draught.
Sugar
113 g/l
Acidity
6.1 g/l
Bottling date
2014 June
Vintage
2013