2005 Royal Tokaji Aszú 5 Puttonyos Red Label

Specs:

2005 Royal Tokaji Aszu 5 Puttonyos Red Label

Tokaji

Hungary

10.5% Alcohol

Furmint, Harslevelu and Muscat de Lune

$37.00

Notes:

Since the moment I tasted this exotic dessert wine I haven't thought about much else really. It's a taste I haven't had the pleasure of experiencing until recently. Royal Tokaji is a relatively new producer as Old World wine houses go however the Tokaji region has been known as Europe's finest for centuries. The Aszú 5 has only been produced in five vintages, the 2005 being the most recent to date. The sweetness from the wine comes from the production of the grapes. The grapes sit on the vine past their peak until they dry and become concentrated thus producing this sweet dessert wine.

In the glass the color is unique, with rich burnt amber hues and a crystal clear clarity. On the nose, aroma after aroma presents itself. Notes of peach, nectarine, apricot, orange, candied fruit, honey as well as bright florals all work in harmony. The scent has somewhat of a burnt or fortified essence to it something extremely out of the ordinary for your average dessert wine.

On the palate the wine is smooth, rich, round and complex. The high intensity flavors are layered beautifully; sweetness and acid balance in harmony in the tongue. Flavors of burnt orange peel, dried apricots, marmalade, honey, peach, nectarine and roasted nuts all help with the out of this world flavor the wine offers. The finish on this wine is long and lingers nicely on the palate; flavors unfold taste after taste. The 2005 Royal Tokaji Aszú 5 Puttonyos Red Label makes the perfect dessert wine or aperitif. Like most dessert wines this would pair well with salty cheeses and fruit tarts. This is a phenomenal wine that you will most definitely fall in love with.

2009 Saracco Moscato d'Asti

Specs:

2009 Saracco Moscato d' Asti

Piedmont

Italy

5 % Alcohol

100% Moscato

$14.00

Notes:

Moscato d' Asti is quite a sweet wine, however because of the location of the region these grapes are produced; there is an acidic quality to the wine as well. This wine is considered a sparkling wine and is classified as "frizzante" or lightly sparkling. The wine in the glass is a clear light gold with bubbles slowly fizzling in the glass.

On the nose it is highly aromatic with notes of white flower, orange blossoms, honey, pear and citrus. The smell is quite intense and really embodies what you should find in a quality Moscato. On the palate it is pure and clean with bright and fresh fruit flavors. It is spring and summer in a glass with ripe orange, pear, honey, green apple, lime, floral and peach flavors. The fruits are ripe and present and mixed with the acidic finish; the wine is soft and refreshing. Pure bliss.

Like most Moscato d' Astis this wine is very low in alcohol, a mere 5%. The low alcohol makes it the perfect hot weather or party companion and pairs really well with food or as an aperitif. I would suggest pairing this wine with salty cheeses, light pasta dishes or with fruity desserts. The Saracco Moscato d' Asti is a really nice alternative to the usual California sparkler and something a little off the beaten path to share with friends.