Discover Királyudvar Tokaji Aszú 6 Puttonyos
The liquid in the bottle captures the glorious nature of this Hungarian dessert wine, highlighting why this historic estate's "liquid gold" deserves its place in Stoneburner's carefully curated by-the-glass wine program.
The Bottom Line: This legendary Hungarian dessert wine from the historic Királyudvar estate offers "tremendous richness, with balance maintained by knife-edged acidity" and is now available by the glass at Stoneburner in Seattle.
"I don't like sweet wine but I eat sugar everyday :) This wine changed my mind."
—Jonathan, Stoneburner General Manager
What Makes Királyudvar Tokaji Aszú 6 Puttonyos Special?
Királyudvar—which for centuries had supplied Imperial wine to the Hapsburgs—represents one of Hungary's most prestigious wine estates. The "6 puttonyos" refers to the sweetness level, with 6 being the highest level in the traditional puttonyos system, indicating exceptional concentration of botrytized grapes.
This 2017 vintage showcases citrus marmalade flavors with the perfect balance of sweetness and acidity that makes Tokaji Aszú legendary worldwide.
The Remarkable Story Behind Every Glass
Tony Hwang's purchase of Kiralyudvar resulted from a visit to Budapest that year, when he drank a Tokaji Aszú recommended by a sommelier. The wine, with its profound identity and razor-sharp balance, made such an impression that Tony drove more than 200 kilometers the next day to Tokaj.
The original "Királyudvar" ("King's Court"), built by Antal Grassalkovich, was the centre of the Royal Estate. Királyudvar was brought back to life in 1997 by the American businessman Anthony Hwang, who also owns Loire Valley's renowned Domaine Huet.
From Ruin to Renaissance
Two world wars devastated Tokaji's traditional European markets, and the decline continued under Communist rule. But after the Iron Curtain's fall, a few lone souls struggled to preserve the Tokaji legacy. Hwang's investment transformed this historic estate, adopting organic and biodynamic practices to restore its former glory.
How Tokaji Aszú 6 Puttonyos is Made
Berries affected by botrytis are picked manually one by one (read: it’s a lot of work). The aszú berries are then crushed and macerate with the must of ripe, non-botrytis grapes. The wine ages in 500-liter Hungarian oak barrels for 3+ years before release.
The result is a wine with 78% Furmint, 22% Hárslevelű from the Lapis vineyard on volcanic soil, creating layers of complexity that develop over decades.
Perfect Food Pairings at Stoneburner
Classic Pairings
Traditional pairings include foie gras (when available) and blue cheese—the wine's sweetness perfectly balances rich, salty flavors. These time-tested combinations showcase why Tokaji Aszú has been treasured at royal tables for centuries.
Creative Culinary Adventures
The wine's remarkable high acidity balances its sweetness, making it surprisingly versatile with savory dishes. Try it with rich, spicy cuisine—the sweetness tames heat while the acidity refreshes the palate. Tokaji also pairs beautifully with salty foods like aged cheeses or charcuterie.
Perfect Dessert Pairings at Stoneburner
With Baked Alaska: The wine's citrus marmalade notes create a beautiful contrast to the strawberry sherbet, while its honeyed richness complements the vanilla ice cream. The Tokaji's high acidity cuts through the dessert's sweetness, creating perfect balance.
With Mocha Cake: An exceptional pairing where the wine's orange marmalade and dried fruit notes dance with the coffee ice cream, while the caramel whip echoes the Tokaji's own caramelized flavors. The wine's natural affinity for chocolate makes this combination sublime.
As a Stand-Alone Dessert: Simply enjoy a glass of aszú on its own—this wine is dessert enough, offering layers of citrus marmalade, honey, and tropical fruits that unfold with each sip.
Why Wine Lovers Are Rediscovering Tokaji
Tokaj is legendary for its sweet wines, intricate cellars, and volcanic vineyards, and has been renowned for centuries for yielding some of the world's most prestigious dessert wines. The region's unique terroir, combined with traditional winemaking methods, creates wines that will age nobly over decades with proper cellaring.
Experience History by the Glass
When you order Királyudvar Tokaji Aszú 6 Puttonyos at Stoneburner, you're tasting more than wine—you're experiencing centuries of Hungarian winemaking tradition, royal heritage, and one man's passionate quest to restore a legendary estate.
Perfect for: After-dinner contemplation, special celebrations, or adventurous food pairings with rich, spicy, or salty dishes.
Serving suggestion: Simply enjoy a glass of aszú on its own, and contemplate all that went into making that glass of amazingly complex wine.
Visit Stoneburner in Seattle's Ballard neighborhood to discover this remarkable wine by the glass. Our knowledgeable staff can guide you through perfect pairings with our seasonal menu.
Keywords:
Tokaji Aszú, Hungarian dessert wine, Királyudvar, Seattle restaurant, Ballard dining, wine by the glass, dessert wine pairing, Stoneburner wine program, botrytized wine, sweet wine Seattle