Disznoko Estate - Aszu 5 Puttonyos 2013
Disznókő is an estate located in Tokaj , Hungary . Declared Premier Cru in 1732, it is one of the most favorable sites for the development of the aszú grape in the Tokaj wine region. The area is among the warmest in the region: warmed by constant summer heat rising off the Great Plain to the south, and protected from cold winter winds by the Zemplén mountains to the north. Disznókő owns a single plot of land with 104 hectares of vines among the 150 hectares of the property, and the wineries are located in the vineyard. Historically owned by various aristocratic families, the estate was nationalized under communist governments in the 20th century. Since 1992, the estate has been owned by AXA Millésimes .
The very selective harvest, entirely manual, takes place from the end of August to the beginning of November over several harvests in the vineyard. Picking aszú berries is extremely labor intensive and requires great skill from the harvesters.
The production of Aszú wine (“Wine of Tears”) is a meticulous process, which requires great patience and precise know-how. This is only possible in good vintages , when nature brings rain at the end of summer and sun and wind at the beginning of autumn, which are the essential conditions for the production process of noble berries. . Berries swollen due to humidity split, Botrytis Cinerea settles in its skin and creates noble rot. To the must in Gönc cask (136 liters), five 23 kg bags (" Puttony " in Hungarian) of Aszú noble berries are added. The noble berries of Aszú macerate with the must then after one or two days, the berries swell and they are then pressed. The fermentation of Aszú must is a slow process that can sometimes last up to two months. It is then put into wooden barrels and left in a protected press, waiting for the fermentation to stop on its own. A little Eszencia, harvested drop by drop from the Aszú berries, is then added. Aszú wines are aged in small barrels of 136 liters (called "Gönc") and 220 liters ("Szerednye").
The 2013 vintage for Tokaj was excellent , despite a difficult start. Winter and spring were wet and extremely cold, with some vineyards hard hit by heavy snowfall and frost. However, the growing season quickly improved with the onset of a moderate, hot and dry summer. September brought welcome rains and a drop in temperatures which allowed most of the acidity to be preserved. October also saw foggy mornings, sunny days and dry afternoon winds perfect for botrytis.
Grapes: Furmint, Harslevelű, Zeta
