The fall of communism in Hungary saw many new beginnings, and one of note for wine lovers was the formation of The Royal Tokaji Company by wine-writer Hugh Johnson, and a consortium of foreign investors with the sole vision of revitalising the magnificent sweet wines of Hungary. The Royal Tokaji Company today is a benchmark for the noble wines of the region, from their 3 Puttonyos wines at around 60-90 grams per litre of residual sugar through to the intense Essencia at 450-850 grams, they are wines that offer the drinker a unique insight to one of the great wine styles of the world. In truly exceptional years Royal Tokaji selects the finest berries from its finest vineyards and carefully produces a few barrels of Single Vineyard Aszú. 2017 was such a year, just the eighth this century, showing exceptional richness, structure and backbone balanced by lively acidity - a truly volcanic vintage. Summer was hot, so we began the Aszú berry harvest in early September and continued to pick steadily in the ideal autumn weather. In particular October provided three textbook weeks for fine quality Aszú, with day after day of early morning mists, afternoon sunshine and drying winds. The Aszú wines show great structure, plenty of botrytis, depth and freshness with excellent complexity, all attributes of long ageing potential. The excellent Aszú berries with good structure and perfect botrytis were macerated in fermenting must for two days. After pressing and finishing fermentation in barrel the wines were filled into Hungarian oak casks in our extensive, deep underground cellars to mature for over two years. The final blends were carefully crafted in the spring of 2020. Bottled at 203.3 grams of residual sugar per litre. Nyulászó (meaning “a good place to catch hares”) is a celebrated First Growth vineyard overlooking the village of Mád. Its volcanic bedrock is overlaid with rich, brown clay interspersed with lighter rhyolite tuff, consistently producing racy, perfumed, elegant wines with a steely backbone. This wine is lively and elegant, highly perfumed on the nose with ripe peach and apricot on the palate balanced by silky acidity. The finish is long and incredibly complex.

Domaine Sylvain Cathiard stands as a testament to the dedication and passion of the Cathiard family. This small domaine, established by Sylvain Cathiard's grandfather in the 1930s, carries with it a rich history rooted in the legendary Domaine de la Romanee Conti and Domaine Lamarche. Sylvain's father, Andre, lovingly nurtured the domaine from 1969 until 1985, when the reins were passed on to Sylvain himself. In the following years, Sylvain embarked on a journey to develop his own vineyards, renting parcels from his father and other vignerons. Soon after he acquired his father's original vineyards solidifying his commitment to the craft. In 2006, Sylvain's son, Sebastien joined him marking the beginning of a new chapter for the estate. Together, they formed Sylvain Cathiard et Fils, a collaboration that combines tradition with a fresh perspective. Since 2011, Sebastien has taken the helm, carrying on the family legacy while Sylvain enjoys a well-deserved retirement. Spanning across 5 hectares, the vineyards of Domaine Sylvain Cathiard grace the appellations of Vosne-Romanée, Nuits-St-Georges and Chambolle-Musigny. Of significant note is their tiny parcel in Romanée-St-Vivant, situated just below the iconic Romanee Conti. Here, they proudly hold the title of the smallest land-owner of this magnificent Grand cru. Every aspect of vineyard work is executed with meticulous attention to detail by Sebastien, his wife, and a dedicated team. Embracing organic principles, they prioritize the natural harmony of the vines, although certification has not been sought. When it comes to winemaking, Sebastien adopts a hands-off approach, allowing the wines to evolve naturally. Whole-cluster fermentation takes place, with the juice cold settled for approximately 10 days. The wines then undergo a skin contact period of 22 to 30 days. Maturation occurs over 18 months in oak barrels, sourced primarily from tonellerie Remond and Francois Freres. The percentage of new oak used varies across the appellations, with village wines aged in roughly 1/3rd new oak and 2/3rds of 1-year-old oak. Premier Crus see a balance of 50% new oak and 50% 1-year-old oak, while Grand Crus are aged in two new barrels and one one-year-old barrel. Since 2000, the wines have not been fined or filtered, allowing them to express their true character. Sebastien Cathiard's wines exude an unparalleled sense of harmony, with a soft and elegant texture that speaks to their finesse. Since taking over the domaine, Sebastien has listened attentively to those fortunate enough to taste alongside him. As a result, he has gradually reduced the percentage of new oak used for aging, allowing the fruit to shine with natural intensity and balance. The Vosne-Romanées, in particular, have garnered a reputation as some of the finest in the village.Each bottle from Domaine Sylvain Cathiard is a testament to the fully mature vineyards that have yielded fruit of exceptional quality. With a limited production of around 50 barrels in a good vintage, these wines are a true embodiment of passion, tradition and the pursuit of excellence. The Sylvain Cathiard Bourgogne Aligote 2022 is a brilliant addition to the Cathiard range, showcasing the unique character of this grape variety. Crafted from a small amount of Aligote sourced from vines in the Hautes Cotes, with 95% coming from 30-80-year-old vines in the village of Villers-la-Faye above Corgoloin, and the remaining 5% from vines in Nuits St Georges planted in 2011. In the glass, this wine reveals a bright and pure white hue that invites exploration. On the nose, enticing aromas of fresh apple, citrus and greengage captivate the senses, offering a refreshing and invigorating experience. It is a medium-bodied wine with a forward nature, displaying excellent depth and polish. Fermented and matured in stainless steel tanks, this Aligote exemplifies Cathiard's commitment to preserving the wine's brightness and purity. The 100% destemming process, which is a characteristic of all Cathiard red wines, ensures the expression of intensity and purity that is synonymous with the winemaker's style. On the palate, the Sylvain Cathiard Bourgogne Aligote 2022 unfolds with a honeyed texture that is almost incisive, delivering juicy flavors that dance across the taste buds. There is a subtle presence of tannins that adds a touch of structure, lending a pleasing sensation on the tongue. The acidity is well-balanced, providing a refreshing lift without being overly sharp or astringent. The finish is long and satisfying, leaving a lasting impression of deliciousness. This wine embodies an uncomplicated yet nuanced style, capturing the essence of Aligote in its purest form.

This emblematic domain in Saint-Aubin is also a major producer in the Côte d’Or, and other quality areas of Burgundy. Their expertise has been handed down from father to son since the 19th century, along with groundbreaking work to help the appellation Saint-Aubin to shine. Domaine Roux was started in 1885 with a plot of vines bought by Louis Roux in the village of Saint-Aubin. His grandson Marcel Roux, born in 1927, played a pivotal role in the development of the domain, extending the holdings to over 25 hectares in Saint-Aubin, Chassagne-Montrachet, Puligny-Montrachet, Meursault and Santenay. He was a leading light in establishing the reputation and value of the Saint-Aubin appellation around the world. The Saint-Aubin appellation extends over an altitude vineyard that produces white wines of good quality, and whose reputation continues to grow. Its area is 1.6 square kilometres, on an area set back from those of Puligny and Chassagne. The wine landscape is very hilly and is therefore home to several climates with very variable exposures and soils. Local appellations and wines classified in Premier Cru are spread over four zones. This Saint-Aubin has a beautiful coloration with golden highlights. When young, it combines aromas of white flowers, flint, green almond, and orange-flower. Richer fragrances come with age: beeswax and honey, marzipan, ambergris, and cinnamon. This is a firm and flattering wine - it becomes fleshier and fuller with time. This is a wine with real breeding.

The fall of communism in Hungary saw many new beginnings, and one of note for wine lovers was the formation of The Royal Tokaji Company by wine-writer Hugh Johnson, and a consortium of foreign investors with the sole vision of revitalising the magnificent sweet wines of Hungary. The Royal Tokaji Company today is a benchmark for the noble wines of the region, from their 3 Puttonyos wines at around 60-90 grams per litre of residual sugar through to the intense Essencia at 450-850 grams, they are wines that offer the drinker a unique insight to one of the great wine styles of the world. Fine quality Aszú berries with good structure and perfect botrytis were macerated in fermenting must for two days. After pressing and finishing fermentation the wines were filled into 300 and 500 litre Hungarian oak casks in our extensive, deep, underground cellars to mature for over two years. The final blends were carefully crafted in the spring of 2020. Bottled at 189 grams of residual sugar per litre. Rich intense nose with hints of orange peel and spice. Very fine and elegant wine, full-flavoured with vibrant acidity, citrus and peach on the palate with a long, balanced finish. Summer was hot, so we began the Aszú berry harvest in early September and continued to pick steadily in the ideal autumn weather. In particular October provided three textbook weeks for the development of fine quality Aszú, with day after day of early morning mists, afternoon sunshine and drying winds. The Aszú wines show great structure, plenty of botrytis, depth and freshness with excellent complexity, all attributes of long ageing potential.

A perfection of palate and sweetness with excellent acidity are woven through strongly on the palate with citrus characters of lime and lemon and a crisp balanced finish.

Gold yellow colour with a delicate and persistant mousse. Smell of white blossom and soft spices, mellowed by notes of toasted brioche and vanilla on the finish. A deliciously fresh and creamy champagne of great persistence.

Bright and intense gold colour. A fresh, rich and powerful nose reavels aromas of ripe fruits.Perfect harmony between the expressive notes of fruits, with a refined and fresh finish. A sensation of meaty, fullness and depth remind the rooting of vines in the terroir of the Côte des Bar.

Very fresh nose, reminiscent of biscuits. Good maturity, with aromas of bergamot, dried apricots and dried flowers. A tonic and slightly saline attack in the mouth. A crisp, and crunchy wine, reminiscent of ripe flesh such as Anjou pear and tangerine, with notes of white flowers. A fresh and very salivating finish.