| Tokaji Essencia The Elixir of the Tsars Tokay Essencia, Essenzia, Eszencia, Aszu-Essencia |
It is safe to say that Tokaji Aszú is the first (since the sweetened and doctored wines of the ancient world) of the
great sweet wines, well established as such by the mid-17th century. The beneficial effects of botrytis were noted
here almost a century before they were accidentally discovered in Germany, Moreover, the vineyards were the
first ever to be classified: in 1700 Prince Rákóczi of Transylvania introduced 1st, 2nd and 3rd class (or growth)
quality ratings. Tokaji was the most highly regarded and sought after wine particularly by Russian and Polish
royalty and nobility. The vineyards, mostly owned by the Hungarian aristocracy, were the country’s most valuable
assets. (Catherine the Great can claim to be one of the first foreign investors; she owned, and protected with her
own guards, a major vineyard.)
There is much evidence that the wine appealed to English connoisseurs in the 18th and early 19th centuries.
(Christie’s archives reveal that Tokaji appeared in a catalogue dated 1770, only 4 years after James Christie set
up his auction business). Another appreciative connoisseur was Thomas Jefferson who imported and served
‘rich Tokaji’ (‘for which I paid a guinea a bottle’) at his presidential banquets in the early 1800’s. The aftermath of
WWI was disastrous for the Hungarian landowners and trade. In 1925 a remarkable cache of old wines was
literally unearthed and purchased by Berry Bros. Their 1927 price list includes early 19th century vintages ‘from
the princely house of Bretzenheim which became extinct in 1863’. It seems that the family, concerned that the
revolutionary forces of 1848 would seize their property, walled up their valuable old wines.
Historically the wine and the region were called Tokay by the English but the wine is more correctly referred to as
Tokaji and the region as Tokaj.
great sweet wines, well established as such by the mid-17th century. The beneficial effects of botrytis were noted
here almost a century before they were accidentally discovered in Germany, Moreover, the vineyards were the
first ever to be classified: in 1700 Prince Rákóczi of Transylvania introduced 1st, 2nd and 3rd class (or growth)
quality ratings. Tokaji was the most highly regarded and sought after wine particularly by Russian and Polish
royalty and nobility. The vineyards, mostly owned by the Hungarian aristocracy, were the country’s most valuable
assets. (Catherine the Great can claim to be one of the first foreign investors; she owned, and protected with her
own guards, a major vineyard.)
There is much evidence that the wine appealed to English connoisseurs in the 18th and early 19th centuries.
(Christie’s archives reveal that Tokaji appeared in a catalogue dated 1770, only 4 years after James Christie set
up his auction business). Another appreciative connoisseur was Thomas Jefferson who imported and served
‘rich Tokaji’ (‘for which I paid a guinea a bottle’) at his presidential banquets in the early 1800’s. The aftermath of
WWI was disastrous for the Hungarian landowners and trade. In 1925 a remarkable cache of old wines was
literally unearthed and purchased by Berry Bros. Their 1927 price list includes early 19th century vintages ‘from
the princely house of Bretzenheim which became extinct in 1863’. It seems that the family, concerned that the
revolutionary forces of 1848 would seize their property, walled up their valuable old wines.
Historically the wine and the region were called Tokay by the English but the wine is more correctly referred to as
Tokaji and the region as Tokaj.
Tokay Essence 1811, bottled about 1840
Formerly the property of the Princely Family of Bretzenheim
Sold by Berry Bros in the 1920's. The ne plus ultra of Tokaji, and one of the
greatest of all 19th century wines.
Formerly the property of the Princely Family of Bretzenheim
Sold by Berry Bros in the 1920's. The ne plus ultra of Tokaji, and one of the
greatest of all 19th century wines.
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Tokay Essence 1889,
of superlative quality,
bottled about 1910,
from the estates of the
late Count Jules
Esterhazy.
SOLD
of superlative quality,
bottled about 1910,
from the estates of the
late Count Jules
Esterhazy.
SOLD
Tokay Essence 1914,
of very fine quality,
invaluable as a
restorative, from the
estate of the Baron
Maillot.
SOLD
of very fine quality,
invaluable as a
restorative, from the
estate of the Baron
Maillot.
SOLD
Tokaji circa 1680 from
the Royal Saxon cellars
Possibly the oldest intact
bottle extant.
Believed listed in the
1929 Dresden auction.
SOLD
the Royal Saxon cellars
Possibly the oldest intact
bottle extant.
Believed listed in the
1929 Dresden auction.
SOLD
Tokaji Palugyay-Pressburg
Believed late 18th or early 19th
century.
SOLD
Believed late 18th or early 19th
century.
SOLD
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| Tokaji vintages 1802 - 1947 |
Tokay Eszencia and Aszu Eszencia
1852 - 1942.
Aszu Eszencias are around 13% alcohol, true Eszencias around 3%.
Note the distinctive black mold, unique to the traditional Tokaji cellars.
ALL SOLD.
1852 - 1942.
Aszu Eszencias are around 13% alcohol, true Eszencias around 3%.
Note the distinctive black mold, unique to the traditional Tokaji cellars.
ALL SOLD.
Tokay Ausbruch
Essence 1872.
SOLD.
Essence 1872.
SOLD.
Tokayer Ausbruch
Medicinal Wein
Circa 1900
Adamovitch bottling.
SOLD.
Medicinal Wein
Circa 1900
Adamovitch bottling.
SOLD.
Tokayi Aszu 6
Puttonyos"Heavy Sweet"
1924
Zimmerman bottling.
SOLD.
Puttonyos"Heavy Sweet"
1924
Zimmerman bottling.
SOLD.
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Tokayer Zoete
Hongaarsche Wijn
Dutch bottling.
SOLD.
Hongaarsche Wijn
Dutch bottling.
SOLD.
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Tokaji Aszu 1880 -
1940's.
SOLD.
1940's.
SOLD.
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Tokayer Essenz 1906
Hofkeller Abfullung
Extremely rare bottling
from the cellars of the
Austro-Hungarian
Imperial Court.
SOLD.
Hofkeller Abfullung
Extremely rare bottling
from the cellars of the
Austro-Hungarian
Imperial Court.
SOLD.
Tokaji Aszu Essencia 1942
Originally from the State Cellars, superb condition. Bottle covered
with the famous black "Tokaji mould".
1942 was a great vintage in Tokaji but very little Aszu Essencia was
made, due to the rigors of wartime conditions.
SOLD.
Originally from the State Cellars, superb condition. Bottle covered
with the famous black "Tokaji mould".
1942 was a great vintage in Tokaji but very little Aszu Essencia was
made, due to the rigors of wartime conditions.
SOLD.
Exceptional 1945 Tokayer Essenz
3 bottles of pure Tokaji Essencia from the legendary
1945 vintage, one of the greatest vintages of the
century
3 bottles of pure Tokaji Essencia from the legendary
1945 vintage, one of the greatest vintages of the
century
Pure essencia from the last vintage before the
Communists nationalized the vineyards. In Tokaji, as
in almost all of Europe, a great vintage. Tasting notes
from Micheal Broadbent for this wine: " Richly coloured,
old apples and raisins, very rich, perfect flavour and
aftertaste. 5 stars ***** " SOLD
Communists nationalized the vineyards. In Tokaji, as
in almost all of Europe, a great vintage. Tasting notes
from Micheal Broadbent for this wine: " Richly coloured,
old apples and raisins, very rich, perfect flavour and
aftertaste. 5 stars ***** " SOLD