Radikon Jakot 2020 500 ml

Radikon Jakot 2020 500 ml

Radikon
$65.00

Grape: Tocai Friulano Blanc
Vintage: 2022
Type: Orange

Originating from the hyper-steep, amphitheater-like slopes of Oslavia in Friuli, this iconic bottling is a fierce declaration of regional pride. The name Jakot is "Tokaj" spelled backward—a cheeky, defiant response to the European Union regulations that banned winemakers in Friuli from using the historical name "Tocai Friulano" on their labels to protect Hungary's sweet Tokaji region. Part of the legendary blue-label "Flagship" line, the fruit is grown on mineral-dense ponca soils (layered marl and sandstone). In the cellar, the grapes undergo a rigorous three-month skin maceration in large oak vats with no temperature control. Following a gentle press, the wine matures for a patient three to four years in neutral oak botti, followed by an additional year of resting in the bottle. Bottled in the signature 500 ml format with zero added sulfur and no filtration, it is a masterclass in patient winemaking.

In the glass, it pours a deep, glowing amber-gold with rich copper glints. The nose is incredibly expressive and complex, leaping out with notes of dried apricot, yellow plum, candied orange peel, dried chamomile flowers, and a savory hint of raw almond skin and white spice. On the palate, a "crystalline" core of vibrant, mineral-driven acidity cuts right through the grape's natural, oily weight and massive phenolic concentration. The extended maceration builds a powerful, fine-grained, tea-like tannic architecture that beautifully frames the mouthfeel. The finish is exceptionally dry, long, and savory, leaving a persistent impression of dried citrus peels, a touch of nuttiness, and a distinct, salty stamp of crushed stone.

Radikon is one of the foundational names of the modern skin-contact and natural-wine movement. Based in Oslavia, in Friuli near the Slovenian border, the Radikon family built its identity around long macerations for white grapes, minimal sulfur and a deeply traditional approach that had become radical by modern standards. Stanko Radikon helped bring these methods to international attention, and the estate continues under his family with Ribolla Gialla, Jakot, Pinot Grigio and other varieties. The wines are amber, structured and savory, less about novelty than about reviving a borderland culture of patience, texture and uncompromising farming.