19 Points Jancis Robinson
99 Points Wine Enthusiast
98 Points Wine Spectator
98 Points James Suckling
98 Points Vinous


"Luxurious enough to be poured onto a spoon rather than in a glass—and Royal Tokaji had crystal sipping spoons designed for this very purpose—Essencia is a marvel no matter how you serve or sip it. Ripe and stewed figs headline the aromas, with notes of clementine, white peach and lemon verbena. The palate is structured with rich fruit and tart acidity, while the finish is citric and mind-bendingly long."
99 Points
Wine Enthusiast

"The 2016 Tokaji Essencia is a production of just 2,300 bottles. It contains 535 g/l residual sugar and 15.5 g/l acidity and was bottled slightly earlier after three years' maturation in demijohn. This is slightly darker in colour compared to the 2017. The nose has changed a little since I tasted it a couple of years ago, quince and marmalade, a little more caramel and caramelized pear. It actually reminds me of a Vin de Constance. The palate is stunning on the entry with a voluminous unctuosity that almost overwhelms the senses, repeating those quince and marmalade notes with a hint of Devonshire fudge and Anjou pear that fan out with immense purity and underlying citrus tones. Outstanding."
Neal Martin

"2016 marks Royal Tokaji’s eighth release of Essencia, following 2009 last year. The vintage saw a mild, dry winter followed by a long spring and a near-perfect summer, leading to wide spreading of botrytis. Wet weather in mid-September caused some problems but the producer managed to pick a good quantity of quality aszú berries. The precious free-run aszú juice is then slowly fermented in glass demijohns in the estate’s 13th-century cellars. By December 2019, the wine reached 1.9% alcohol, retaining an astonishing 535 g/l of sugar, well-balanced by 15.5 g/l of acidity. Dark amber in colour, it has a richly tropical nose of pineapple, mango, banana peel and maple syrup with hints of savoury mushroom complexity. Great freshness and purity on the palate, boasting zesty tangerine peel, creamy golden apple tart, molasses, and a touch of nuts on the lingering finish."
95 Points
Decanter