Demeter Zoltán Tokaji Szerelmi Hárslevelű 2018
$74.00
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Kpo says: The highlight of single vineyard Tokaj wine! Must try! |
Szerelmi is predominately volcanic loess soil with 65 year old vines on the southern side of Tokaj Hill. It was first mentioned in 1798 as a 1st Class Vineyard and roughly translates to “lovely.” Although Hárslevelű is often used as a blending agent or a fresh base wine for Tokaj Aszú, when it is planted in the right place and cropped back (Demeter makes a remarkable Verjus), it is every bit as powerful and reflective of site as Furmint. Aromatic, stony, and showing all of the structure you’d expect from 15% alcohol with absolutely none of the heat.
Grape variety: 100% Hárslevelű
Climate: Cool Continental
Soil: predominately loess
Exposure: Southern
Maceration & aging: Stainless Steel
Residual sugar: 7 g/l
Acidity: 6.7 g/l
| Country | Hungary |
|---|---|
| Region | Tokaj |
| Grape Varietal | Single Varietal Local |
In stock
Alcohol: 14.5%
Vintage: 2018
Ageability: 15-20 years
Decanting: Not needed
Serving temperature: 8-10 °C
Producer
Zoltan Demeter is a legend in the Tokaj wine region. Since he started out, he has been determined to prove that Tokaj is one of the world’s great wine districts, albeit one that lost its way somewhat during the communist era in the 20th century.
Istvan Szepsy led the way out of the darkness some 25 years ago, but it is Zoltan who seems destined to be the star of his own generation in his quest to send any pseudo-traditions into oblivion and rediscover the true tradition that first established the reputation of the region. He will always (suspect), and indeed hope, remain a very small grower, but his effort and energy will prove to have been a vital force in the renaissance of Tokaj. He farms some seven hectares out of the 4500 that make up the Tokaj wine field today, but his vineyards are very far from contiguous. His policy has been to buy vines that are over 40 years old in sites that have, or used to have, a good track record. This rediscovery and regeneration of specific ‘terroirs’ is fundamental to his thinking.
The fame of Tokaj as a region has been built on the reputation of its sublime sweet wines, the legendary Aszu and Essenzia. The occasions for drinking dessert wines however are far less frequent than for drinking dry wines and it is hard for a small grower to survive on the precarious production and uncertain demand for even great sweet wines. Zoltan Demeter therefore took the decision to make 75% of his wines dry and focus on preserving the individual identities of each single vineyard.
Tasting Notes
Nose
Sweet red apples , juicy apricots , honeydew, honey and yellow pears
Palate
Touch of herbal flavours , green tea, citrus, very long length with sharp acidity
Food
Seafood with cream sauce, chicken and white meat dishes
| Fruitiness: |  |
Lime Fruits |
| Oakiness: |  |
No oak |
| Intensity: | |
Weighty with strength |
| Acidity: | |
Laser sharp acidity |
| Tannins: | |
No tannins |
