2022 Tokaji Oremus Late Harvest, Hungary

Attractive nose here, offering aromas of lemon, tangerine peel, white flowers and herbs. Medium-bodied with delicate texture and crunchy acidity. Moderate sweetness. Fresh and mineral finish. Drink now.

91 points jamessuckling.com

Tokaji Oremus Late Harvest, from Hungary’s historic Tokaj region, is a beautifully balanced sweet wine that captures the essence of late-harvest winemaking with remarkable freshness and finesse. Produced by the renowned Oremus estate, owned by the legendary Vega Sicilia family of Spain, this wine blends tradition with modern precision. It's crafted from native Tokaji varieties — primarily Furmint, along with Hárslevelű, Zéta and Sárgamuskotály — harvested late in the season when the grapes are richly ripe and often touched by noble rot.

Unlike the more concentrated Tokaji Aszú styles, the Late Harvest is lighter, more floral and designed to express elegance rather than intensity. Fermentation takes place in stainless steel to retain purity, followed by a short period of ageing in Hungarian oak barrels to round out texture and complexity without heaviness.

The wine opens with aromas of orange blossom, dried apricot, honeycomb, fresh quince and a whisper of ginger. The palate is lusciously textured yet never cloying, thanks to vibrant acidity and a mineral undertone. Expect flavours of peach, lemon curd, chamomile tea and crystallised citrus peel, with a lingering, gently sweet finish.

Food pairing: perfect with pâté, blue cheese, fruit tarts, almond biscotti or lemon polenta cake. Also lovely with lightly spiced Thai or Vietnamese dishes or as a refreshing after-dinner option on its own.

Cellar potential: approachable young for its brightness and lift, but will evolve well over 8 to 10 years, gaining depth, honeyed tones and a silky, mellow complexity.