Brad Jensen

9.2

Light gold with hints of pale green to the edges, the nose on this is very fresh and somewhat vegetal, with notes fresh cold celery alongside the hints of green papaya , baked Citroen tart, and wet river stone. Lots of good tight bubbles, a light to medium body and a real energetic, mineral freshness over a palate of tart yellow stone fruits, a slight yeasty, baked note, but very subtle, mostly mineral and the crisp fruit. Very nice! — a month ago

with Tiva

Freddy R. Troya

9.8

Royal Tokaji – 5 Puttonyos Aszú 2016
Tokaj – Hungary 🇭🇺

Overview
A classic Tokaji Aszú, made from grapes affected by Botrytis cinerea (noble rot), then macerated with must to create Hungary’s legendary sweet wine. The 5 puttonyos designation signals a rich yet balanced level of sweetness, around 120 g/L residual sugar. (Educational note: “Puttonyos” refers to the traditional baskets of aszú berries added — the higher the number, the sweeter and more concentrated the wine.)

Aromas & Flavors
Lush apricot, honey, and candied orange peel at the forefront, layered with quince, dried fig, and lemon curd. Hints of saffron, ginger, and toasted almond bring exotic spice and complexity.

Mouthfeel
Velvety and lusciously sweet, balanced by vibrant acidity that keeps it lifted. Full-bodied yet precise, with a long, honeyed finish that leaves both richness and freshness.

Food Pairings
Perfect with blue cheese, foie gras, or fruit tarts. Also excellent with roasted nuts, crème brûlée, or simply savored on its own as a meditative dessert wine.

Verdict
A benchmark Tokaji — rich, layered, and perfectly balanced. The 2016 vintage of Royal Tokaji 5 Puttonyos Aszú offers indulgence and structure, proving why Tokaji has been called “the wine of kings.” 👑🍷

Did You Know?
Tokaji Aszú is one of the world’s oldest regulated wines — protected since 1737, nearly a century before Bordeaux’s 1855 classification.

Collector’s Rarity 📌
Royal Tokaji’s Aszú wines are globally sought after, and a 5 puttonyos 2016 bottling represents both a collectible dessert wine and a piece of vinous history — 9 months ago

Matt Waring

9.2

Lovely Champagne with toasted biscuit, green apple, and lemon notes, fine bubbles, and a long finish. — 3 years ago

with Christine

Jeff Johnston

9.4

Wow! Rich and deep. Much better than the 10 and better than the 20. A lot more flavor on the back of the tongue and it lasts longer! Big finish! — 4 years ago

Keith Ward

9.4

Amazing Pinot from a hidden gem! Felt like drinking a Burgundy (or even the depth of a Bordeaux). Wonderful front of fresh berries, middle of leather and dried flowers, finishes as any superb Bordeaux (complex, warm and dried fruit / tobacco on the pallet). Amazing!! — 5 years ago

Adriana Fabbro

9.1

Felt like a justifiable extravagance during quarantine. Surprisingly aggressive mousse: bubbles were audible and hit the back of my tongue like pop rocks. Austere but pretty, like an early spring day, when it’s sunny but still too cool to ditch the winter coat and when some trees are blossoming but most are still bare. Aromatics: brioche, orchard fruit & blossoms (underripe apple, pear), early spring wild flowers, a touch of something tropical (passion fruit?). Flavors: baked apple, buttery notes quickly give way to alpine snow melt and reverberating, enamel-stripping acidity. A peculiar, but perfect date for Easter brunch. — 6 years ago

Randy Fuller

9.4

This wine pours up with a frothy, white head with persistent bubbles. The color is onion skin pink. On the nose, the yeasty aroma dominates the apple, berry, and pear notes. The palate displays flavors of apple, toast, and minerality. The acidity is fantastic and the finish is lengthy. — 5 months ago

Steve Rura

9.1

Finally opened this one at the right time of year. Mom’s Christmas gift a few years ago from my homeland. Ripe peach, dried apricot, golden raisin, honeysuckle, mandarin zest and orange. Volcanic edge. Very nice acidity on a sweet wine. Great for holiday desserts. — 6 months ago

Ron Siegel

9.7

A nice way way to finish — 3 years ago

John Malcolm

10

Outstanding! Liquid gold. A honey, mango, and apricot extravaganza! Granted, this is 5 and not 6 puttonyos, but it is hard to imagine anything better. — 4 years ago

Kristen Grimes

9.5

Y is for Yellow Muscat. Ripe peaches and floral aromas. Full bodied and almost syrupy with honey and canned peach sweetness. Even better than Orange Muscat, especially on a snowy winter day!! #atoz2021 — 4 years ago

Bob McDonald

9.3

Mid Ruby in colour. Red fruits of cherry and strawberry with a bit of whole bunch influence on the nose. The palate showing savoury red fruits but also a little sweetness. Certainly a good future in front of it - I should try the next one in 1 to 2 years time. Tom Carson has probably never made a bad wine in his life and he has a great terroir to work with when he is not in demand for judging at Royal Shows. Tasted another bottle 65 weeks later on 24th July 2022. Quite red cherry on the nose and palate. Sooty notes from whole bunch in the ferment. The perfect balance between sweet and savoury. — 5 years ago

Sagee Aran

9.2

2009 vintage. Magnum bottle. has a lot of power in it, still tannic. Excellent structure and full body. — 7 years ago

Freddy R. Troya

9.5

Château Suduiraut, 2023, Sauternes BDX, France 🇫🇷

Overview
Premier Cru Classé Sauternes delivering pure botrytis luxury blend of 80% Semillon, 15% Sauvignon Blanc and 5% Sauvignon Gris with remarkable tension and precision. Lush honeyed richness balanced by vibrant acidity and a beautifully layered texture that feels both decadent and weightless. Sensual, polished, and deeply expressive, this is a dessert wine that seduces rather than overwhelms.

Aromas & Flavors
Orange blossom, acacia honey, apricot confit, ripe peach, saffron, candied citrus peel, subtle vanilla bean, almond paste, and a whisper of ginger spice. Floral lift intertwines with botrytis-driven sweetness and fresh citrus brightness.

Mouthfeel
Silky, viscous, and coating without heaviness. Glycerol richness glides across the palate while acidity keeps the wine lifted, focused, and endlessly drinkable. Long, luxurious, and caressing finish.

Food Pairings
Foie gras torchon, blue cheese (Roquefort or Stilton), apricot tart, almond pastries, honey-drizzled chèvre, citrus-based desserts, or simply enjoyed solo as a contemplative finale.

Verdict
Sublime, sexy, and impeccably balanced. A masterclass in tension between sweetness and freshness, delivering pleasure, elegance, and emotional impact in equal measure. A benchmark nightcap wine.

Did You Know?
Château Suduiraut sits adjacent to Château d’Yquem and shares similar gravelly terroir and noble rot influence, often delivering First Growth-level finesse at a more approachable price point.

🍯 Personal Pick
This wine feels like a French kiss, seductive tension, velvet weight, and honeyed decadence wrapped in electric freshness. The viscosity caresses the palate while the acidity keeps everything irresistibly alive. — 5 months ago

Alan Johnston

9.3

3.4. A very good bargain for a smooth Bordeaux, nice mix of fruits, minerals and tannin, somewhat mid-bodied, with smooth finish. Deep red with good nose. On sale for $11.99, regularly $14.99. — 3 years ago

Stephie Kennemer

10

Luxardo cherries up front with a definite earthiness. Very dry and sandy finish. On the bolder side. Had with a steak dinner and it paired beautifully. — 3 years ago

Bob McDonald

9.6

Aromatic notes of rose and violet. Great depth of delicious flavour on the medium bodied palate. Red fruits - savoury and rich. See previous note for the 2014 - always excellent but 8 years of cellaring has enhanced this wine. To have won the Jimmy Watson Trophy for the Best One Year Old Dry Red at Royal Melbourne and still starring now at 8 years of age shows this is a wine for all seasons and all years. Should be a regular purchase. A Winner. — 4 years ago

Robert Stackowiak

9.1

Napa terroir. Some blueberries but quite dry. A nice drinking and dinner wine. December 2021. — 5 years ago

LSV

9.0

Looks like a heavy body wine but it is surprisingly light. It tastes like blackberries. — 5 years ago

Hayden B. Oothout

9.2

Exceptional cognac. I have had Louis XIII and this is comparable. Made by the same house (and served in the same glass). This is a cognac for people that love cognac, refined and delicate with a strong backbone. Beautiful! — 7 years ago