In the Wine Commerce thread, Anthony posted about the opportunity to buy a very rare and unique desset wine. The e-mail describing this wine reads:

Beyond d’Yquem & DRC

From the importer of Domaine de la Romanee-Conti, this may be the most unbelievable (and unbelievably rare) collectible we’ve ever offered. In fact, when I mentioned its existence to David Schildknecht, who covers Tokaji for the IWC, he said he wasn’t aware that the winery would even release this stuff. There are only 150 bottles, 500 ml each, for the United States. The suggested retail is $500 to $550 a bottle. That’s painfully expensive, of course, but if any wine justifies that kind of price, it’s real Tokaji Essencia.
Essencia (as opposed to Aszu-Eszencia) is the incredibly rich “essence” of the grapes which drips naturally from the most botrytised grapes. As David explains, a tub of grapes may yield “just a few precious droplets” of this stuff over many months. It pours, literally, like honey.

This 1993 vintage – the first commercial release EVER from Royal Tokaji (the next will be 1999) – is a remarkable 58% residual sugar. It took an incredible nine years to ferment to only 2.5% alcohol. As David said, “they should sell it in test tubes. A 500-ml bottle will last you longer than a bottle of old Balsamic.”

Again, there are only 150, individually hand-numbered bottles for the U.S. Due this Fall.

1.’93 Royal Tokaji Essencia $399.99 net


To this, Jeremy responded:

As many as you can get (and afford). And yes I am being serious. This wine is probably the greatest dessert wine made. It certainly is on par with Yquem but is so unique and rare that it makes Yquem look as available as two buck Chuck.

If there is sufficient interest, Anthony can investigate the possibility of acquiring a bottle. I figure 20 people @ $20 per would do it. So far, the following have expressed an interest:
anthonyiez (1) of course!
Jimmy V (2)
Board-O (1)
ttepper (1)
LCC (1)
Winetex (2)
Doc (1)
budman (1)
jb (2)

Running total=12
Add your name below if you're interested.

Yes, please put us down for 2 people. Let us know when/where you need the $$.

Should be good!

thanks.

I'd be in for 1 if I am able to make it to the dinner. Still no official word on my travel next month.

Doc

Put me in for one.

Before, during or after the dessert wine at the dinner?

I would assume that something that pours like honey would be the capper for the evening. (Until the after-party, of course).

Word up! I'm in for 2.

jb

One suggestion. 20 people will each get a little under one ounce apiece. If we have more than twenty and not close to forty (for two bottles), maybe husbands and wives should share one taste. That way more people will get to try the wine. Either way, more than 20 pours per 500 ml will be too many.

I agree. I have left the tally as is. But if we get up to 20 people, I would gladly drop my number to 1 person, to allow someone else to join in.

jimmy,

you don't have me on the list

That's hilarious. Considering that you started the list.

No problem dropping to one person if necessary so that everyone gets in on it.

Sorry Anthony. I'm an idiot. Not only are you on the list now, but you are at the top!!

I want notes when you all get to taste this wine.......bloody Pacific . Enjoy you guys and gals.

To add to what they have written here is some other information.

Tokaji was an accidental discovery. A certain area of Hungary owned by Zssuzsanna Lorantfly was renowned for its lighter sweet table wines. In 1650 the local Priest (orthodox and thus the highest stationed person) held off the harvest as he feared attack from the Turks. The Turks didn't happen to attack for another couple of years but the grapes were infected with noble rot, these grapes were picked and crushed separately before being poured into the must. The resulting wine was broached the following Easter and much admired. Within the next ten years Botrytis was biologically recognised and named.

The wine is fermented and stored in caves which have a unique mold (Racodium Cellare) growing on the walls. The mold is black and adds a unique flavour to the grapes natural flavours and qualities.

The grapes used primarily are Muscat Petit Grains (Yellow Muscat), Harslevelu and Furmint ( a fiery spicy wine/grape reminiscent of Pepper flavours and heat).

The highest and rarest wine is Tokaji Essenzia fermented using extremely robust yeasts the wine often only reaches alcohol around the 2-4% mark with as much as 800 grams residual sugar with the remaining made up of water and a mixture of alddehydes and esters (smelly chemicals basically.).This wine will take anywhere from 8-25 years to ferment to this puny amount of alcohol.

Expect liquid honey of the most amzing texture and intensity. Enjoy!!

update:

this wine will not be hitting the states until november so i guess i we still want to do something special we will have to think of something else. on the same topic i spoke with mick about it and he is going to order some so if anyone wants to get some he should probably be seeing it around november. might make a great holiday gift for that special someone. i can be that special someone if you need someone to be special to

If anyone's interested, send me a PM or email me at mick@stirlingfinewine.com They're pretty limited, most of the 150 bottles coming to the states are already sold.