Chateau Pajzos Tokaj Esszencia 2016 (375ML)

98 WS / 96 DE

Like maple syrup on the palate, this is lush and viscous, with a beautifully expressive beam of honeyed apricot enlivened by rapierlike, mouthwatering acidity that plays off the mouthcoating texture, showing fascinating equilibrium. A lovely range of blood orange pâte de fruit, dried mint, butterscotch and lemon wax is layered with the rich apricot character, all ringing out on the long, long finish. Furmint, Hárslevelü, Muscat and Zéta. Drink now through 2046. 160 cases made.--Alison Napjus, Wine Spectator

Such a gorgeous nose - bitter orange peel marmalade, grapefruit, dried apricots, wild acacia honey and lemon. Such thick gorgeous sweet sherbet lemon fruit flavours alongside maple syrup, quince, gingerbread and subtle floral scents add to the overall complex composition on the palate. The texture is massy and full, so delicious and succulent and fully mouthcoating. Really very generous but so welcome, it's like a big hug, the sweetness is dominant but the acidity is perfect to counteract it. A wonderful expression here. Lifted, complex, perfectly handled and controlled. Joyful with a sense of direction which is not an easy feat when there's so much sugar and only 2% alcohol. Chill and serve in small portions. 600g/L residual sugar. This estate is owned and managed by Jean-Louis and Ronan Laborde of Château Clinet in Pomerol.—Georgina Hindle, Decanter