2018 Royal Tokaji The Oddity Tokaj 750ml

Tasting Notes

A fresh, crisp wine showing all the fine qualities of the unique Furmint grape. Aromas of grape flowers, apple and pear combine with flavors of ripe apricot and peach to produce a sleek, intense dry wine with a long, refreshing finish. Its texture is refined and luxurious, no doubt from the small amount of oak and lees that plays a minor, but important role of keeping this ultra fresh wine rich and complex enough to warrant such enthusiasm. This wine is delicious as an aperitif, with seafood, white meats or spicy food. Oddity is an ideal pairing with oysters, but partners equally well with fried foods. Versatile is the word!

About The Wine

“The familiar taste of something very different”

What is The Oddity?
The Oddity is a celebration of the diversity to be found in the wide world of wine. The Furmint grape variety does not yet enjoy an international reputation but Royal Tokaji feels it deserves one. Royal Tokaji was founded in 1990; its first mission was to recreate the wine that for centuries was considered amongst the very finest in the world, the legendary Tokaji aszú.

Royal Tokaji’s dedication has led the winery to the growing realization that Furmint has the potential to make not only great sweet wines, but also dry wines of particular class and charm. The same ripeness, aromatics and acidity which grace the aszú wines can also, with time and skill, create dry wines equally capable of greatness. For over 20 years Royal Tokaji has been refining its knowledge of this wonderful grape variety.

Vineyard Profile

Appellation: Tokaj, Hungary

Vintage Report

An excellent vintage for dry wines, 2018 was warm and dry throughout the summer and harvest season. This led to an early harvest and provided ripe and full-flavored Furmint grapes with balancing acidity.

Vinification

Grapes for Oddity are primarily from the Mád commune, Szt. Tamas and Nyulaszo 1st Growths, as well as other vineyard sites. Whole bunches were gently pressed and fermented in stainless steel tanks and some Hungarian Zemplen oak barrels, segregated by different vineyard lots. During vinification, malolactic fermentation is avoided. The wine is matured in a combination of stainless steel tanks and 300 L and 500 L Hungarian Zemplen oak barrels. With this vintage the wine was aged in equal amounts in stainless steel and oak, with a proportion of 15% new oak to add subtle overtones and dimension. The wine is kept on fine lees for 4-5 months to achieve roundness and structure.

Bottled: July 2019

Technical Analysis

Varietal Composition: 100% Furmint

Alcohol: 13%

TA: 6.1 g/L

RS: 1.1 g/L