Kiralyudvar Tokaji Aszu 6 Puttonyos 'Lapis' 2005 500ml
Region: Tokaj, Hungary
Grape: Furmint, Hárslevelű
Vineyard Practice: Biodynamic
Culinary Suggestions: Roquefort Cheese, Foie Gras, Apricot Tart
Alcohol: 10%
Bottle Size: 500ml
Overview
Királyudvar, a historic winery in the Tokaj region of Hungary, dates back to the early 16th century and was once the primary supplier to the Habsburg Royal Court. After centuries of prominence, the estate fell into decline during the 20th century until it was revived in 1997 by French-born American businessman Anthony Hwang, who also co-owns the esteemed Domaine Huet in France’s Loire Valley. Hwang sought to bring Királyudvar back to its former glory by focusing on Tokaj’s indigenous grapes, particularly Furmint and Hárslevelű, and by adopting organic and biodynamic practices.
Királyudvar is renowned for its diverse range of wines, from traditional Tokaji Aszú (sweet, botrytized wines) to dry and sparkling styles that showcase the region’s versatility. The estate’s commitment to low-intervention methods and terroir-driven winemaking has resulted in elegant wines with complex minerality, vibrant acidity, and aging potential. Today, Királyudvar is celebrated as one of Tokaj’s leading estates, blending tradition with innovation to produce wines that highlight the unique character of Tokaj’s volcanic soils and historic heritage.
Királyudvar’s Tokaji Aszú 6 Puttonyos ‘Lapis’ 2005 captures the quintessence of the famed Tokaj region, where volcanic soils and misty mornings create the ideal conditions for noble rot (Botrytis cinerea) to concentrate the sugars and flavours of each berry. Known as one of Tokaj’s premier sites, the Lapis vineyard is celebrated for its mineral-rich terroir, which imparts a vibrant acidity and complex structure to the wines. Királyudvar, under biodynamic practices, carefully selects botrytised Furmint and Hárslevelű grapes for this prestigious cuvée, crafting a Tokaji Aszú that showcases the winery’s commitment to tradition, purity, and the art of patience.
The 2005 vintage is marked by a lengthy ageing process in Hungarian oak, which lends the wine its signature depth and finely honed balance. This Tokaji Aszú offers an opulent yet precise expression, where lush sweetness is counterbalanced by a lively acidity, allowing the wine to retain elegance and freshness even as it matures. A benchmark for those seeking both indulgence and sophistication, it captures the timeless beauty of Tokaj’s winemaking legacy.
Critic Reviews
93 points
Stephen Tanzer, Vinous Media June 2014
(10% alcohol; 219 g/l r.s., 11 g/l acidity; aged 28 months in 225-liter Hungarian oak barrels): Bright, deep amber-orange. Superconcentrated and glyceral-rich but less aromatic and showy today than the 2006 6 Puttonyos, without quite that wine's electric acidity and sharp delineation. But this supersweet, densely packed wine nonetheless has sound penetrating acidity to cut through its intense apricot orange and mineral flavors. Finishes tactile and broad, with a hint of nutty oak.