The 2009 The Royal Tokaji Wine Co. Essencia is a proprietary blend white wine from Hungary, known for its remarkable concentration and longevity. The wine has an alcohol content of just 2.0%, which is unusually low for a vinous product, yet it stands out for its complexity and depth.
James Suckling awarded this wine a near-perfect score of 99 points, highlighting its "unctuous sweetness" balanced by "extraordinary freshness." He describes the aromas as ranging from "blood to quince jelly," complemented by "a slew of spices and notes of flowers and forest honey." Suckling emphasizes the wine’s dense and viscous nature, noting its "titanic brulee character at the huge finish." He also remarks that only 1,386 half-bottles of this vintage were produced, making it a rare find. According to Suckling, the wine "should live longer than any of us."
Vinous, another wine publication, also gave the 2009 Tokaji Essencia a 99-point rating. Neal Martin from Vinous describes the packaging, which includes "1,386 individual red lacquer hand-crafted boxes" and a "hand-blown glass spoon" designed to enhance the tasting experience. Martin notes that the wine's nose is "surprisingly bashful for the first 12 hours," gradually revealing scents of "fresh fig, Medjool dates, Seville orange marmalade, and Clementines." He praises the wine’s "wonderful precision" and concludes that it is a "magnificent Essencia that will outlast you and I."
Wine Enthusiast awarded this wine a perfect score of 100 points. Reviewer Mike DeSimone describes the wine as having "ethereal aromas of peach nectar, apricot preserves, orange zest, and candied almonds." The palate is filled with "luscious flavors of caramelized pineapple, orange marmalade, honeycomb, ripe summer peach, and Turkish delight." DeSimone notes that the wine’s "extreme sweetness is held in check by vibrant but not overpowering acidity," predicting it will remain drinkable through 2059.
In summary, the 2009 The Royal Tokaji Wine Co. Essencia is a highly acclaimed, extraordinarily sweet yet balanced wine with a remarkable ability to age, praised for its complexity and precision by top wine reviewers.