TOKAJICUM Tokaji Essencia 2017

Tokajicum Tokaji Essencia is a rare, intensely sweet wine made from free-run botrytised grape juice, with notes of honey, tropical fruit and bright acidity.

What Is Tokaji Essencia?

Essencia, often spelt natively as Tokaji Eszencia, is the rarest and most concentrated expression of Tokaj. It is made from the free-run juice that slowly escapes from individually harvested, botrytised Aszú berries under their own weight, without pressing.

The juice is exceptionally rich in natural sugar, so each berry releases only a small amount. This makes Essencia a genuinely rare wine speciality, distinct even from the most concentrated Tokaji dessert wines.

A Rare Expression of Tokaj

Made from Furmint and Hárslevelű, this exceptional bottle expresses Tokaj's most concentrated side. Furmint provides bright acidity and mineral definition that balance the sweetness, while Hárslevelű adds floral fragrance and a more generous, honeyed texture.

Volcanic loess soils add further depth and mineral lift. Fermentation and 30 months of maturation in oak barrels allow the wine to develop its layered, almost weightless complexity. It is still youthful and has the concentration to evolve in bottle for many years.

Tasting Notes

Deep golden in colour, Tokaji Essencia opens with intense wildflower honey, mango, pineapple and ripe stone fruit. The palate is luxuriously creamy and mouth-filling, with candied citrus, apricot preserve and a touch of caramelised fruit, held in perfect tension by racy acidity.

Despite its extraordinary richness, the finish is refined and mineral, with remarkable length. A small sip is enough to appreciate its depth, complexity and sense of place.

How to Serve Tokaji Essencia

Serve lightly chilled at around 9°C. A small dessert-wine glass allows its aromas to open, but a crystal spoon is an equally traditional and memorable way to enjoy its dense, nectar-like texture.

You do not need to finish the bottle in a single sitting. Once opened, reseal it carefully and keep it refrigerated; its exceptional natural concentration means it can remain enjoyable for many weeks, often longer. Taste it occasionally, as its aromas and texture will continue to evolve after opening.

Food Pairing

Essencia is magnificent on its own, but its sweetness and acidity also make it a rewarding partner for small, luxurious bites:

• Rich goose foie gras, especially with pear, apricot or a light honey glaze.
• Deep, salty blue cheeses such as Stilton, Roquefort or Gorgonzola, with pear and walnuts.
• Thin slices of Mangalitza ham, where the wine's sweetness complements the cured, savoury character.
• Small portions of dark chocolate tart, almond cake or apricot-based desserts.

Technical Details

Tokajicum Winery, Tokaj

Tokajicum is based in Hungary's historic Tokaj region and cultivates around 20 hectares of premier cru vineyards within the UNESCO World Heritage-protected Tokaj Wine Region Historic Cultural Landscape. Under head winemaker László Buttella, the team works with mature vines, including parcels more than 40 years old, to create wines that express Tokaj's distinctive volcanic terroir.

Explore dry, sparkling and sweet styles from this historic region in our Tokaji wine collection.