THE FIRST DECADE NYULÁSZÓ 1999

In truly exceptional years Royal Tokaji selects the finest berries from its finest vineyards and carefully produces a few barrels of Single Vineyard Aszú. Nyulászó (meaning “a good place to catch hares”) is a celebrated First Growth vineyard overlooking the village of Mád. Its volcanic bedrock is overlaid with rich, brown clay interspersed with lighter rhyolite tuff, consistently producing racy, perfumed, elegant wines with a steely backbone. 1999 was a great Aszú year. After an average spring the summer was warm and wet. There were two savage hailstorms during August but the remaining healthy grapes developed a great intensity and concentration. The aszú berries were picked in perfect weather conditions in late September and early October. The Furmint and Hárslevelű aszús yielded elegant wines, beautifully balanced with good acidity. Royal Tokaji consider the 1999 to be on a pair with 1993. The 1993's having impressive concentration and structure whilst the 1999's exhibit unbelievable acidity wrapped in perfectly balanced fruit.