Enjoy an exclusive offer on rare vintages of Tokaj-Hétszölö.
Enjoy an exclusive offer on rare vintages of Tokaj-Hétszölö.
The mysterious Mount Tokaj rises from the autumn mists into the skies above, its slopes gleaming with golden grapevines, and its summit towering above the vast Hungarian plain and the distant southern horizon. When the weather is fine, the eye can see as far as Slovakia and Ukraine. Undisputedly the crown jewel of Hungary’s wine regions, Mount Tokaj is located in the northern part of the country, two hundred kilometers east of Budapest. A legendary terroir producing exceptional wines, Mount Tokaj was the world’s first designation of origin in 1730. In 2002, this cultural gem, with its unique, rich history, was listed as a UNESCO World Heritage site.
The estate was meticulously created by its founders in 1502 from the region’s seven most outstanding plots, hence the name Hét Szölö, or “seven plots of vineyard” in Hungarian. Previous owners include the highly prestigious House of Habsburg: Tokaj-Hétszölö became a Royal Imperial Estate in 1711 before being recognized as a premier grand cru some years later. Against all odds, the estate remained the property of the Austro-Hungarian Empire for nearly two centuries. After some upheaval in the twentieth century, Tokaj-Hétszölö was acquired by Michel Reybier in 2009.
The passion with which Michel Reybier approaches his different estates is driven by a pursuit of quality above all else, and this is what drew him to Tokaj-Hétszölö, just as he was drawn to Cos d’Estournel. For Michel Reybier, it is about selecting the best wines, the best terroirs, and those estates with a deep attachment to their history and heritage, so that he may profoundly contribute to the development of these rare and most singular vineyards over time.
The Imperial Estate of Tokaj-Hétszölö is no exception. Located most propitiously on the northern slope of Mount Tokaj, the estate benefits from ideal conditions that result in wines that have been coveted around the globe for over five centuries. Its fifty-five hectares of Furmint, Harslevelü, Köverszölö and Yellow Muscat grapevines, among others, grow on an exceptional terroir on volcanic rock with a full southern exposure providing optimal sunlight. The nearby Tisza and Bodrog Rivers are responsible for the mist essential to the formation of Botrytis cinerea, or “noble rot,” without which Tokaj’s famous sweet wines would not exist.
Wines are crafted with particular care at Tokaj-Hétszölö, where grapes are harvested by hand and cultivated organically (the estate was certified organic in 2009), and whose barrels are artisan-crafted in the region from the best oaks of the Zemplén mountains.
This singular terroir is sublimated by centuries-old methods and savoir faire, and delivers perfectly balanced, incomparably complex wines with velvety texture and aromas that make them utterly unique.
Tokaj Aszú, celebrated by Louis XV as the “King of Wines, Wine of Kings,” is crafted exclusively from Furmint grapes. Categorized according to the quantity of aszú (botrytized grapes) as five or six puttonyos (an expression derived from the wooden baskets that held twenty-five kilograms of botrytized grapes each, and now refers to the degree of sweetness of Aszú wines), Tokaj Aszú strikes an exceptional balance between richness and acidity. It is an expression of a rare elegance, offering the promise of exceptionally long aging.
Indeed, Tokaj-Hétszölö is one of those atypical wines that tells a compelling story and transports all those who partake of it to an authentic, magical place. Whether in Saint-Estèphe or Tokaj, you will be invited to embark upon an unforgettable journey . . .
