Angyal Tokaji Szamorodni Szaraz 2017

Szamorodni wines in Tokaji have a long history, dating back to their favoured status in the Polish Royal Court. Two styles are made, one heavier with botrytis yields complex and nutty sweet wines that rival Aszu's in their complexity, the other lighter on botrytis and made in a dry style. 

The dry variant of this wine is particularly captivating, though regrettably it is much rarer and may even be at risk of discontinuation, which would be a significant loss. This wine is crafted from late-harvested, exceptionally ripe bunches, some affected by botrytis. It undergoes fermentation to dryness beneath a layer of flor— a veil of yeast that forms on the surface as cellar temperatures rise, akin to the process used for Jerez wines like Fino and Manzanilla. This method of biological aging endows the wine with a distinctive character, similar to Vin Jaune from the Jura region in France. The presence of flor not only preserves the wine’s freshness but also initiates the development of a rancio character through oxidation. Tasters can expect flavors of tobacco, nuts, and dried apricots.