Jász Laci 'Rising Sun' Somló 2022

“Nagy Bajuszú Jász Laci Pincéje” (The Big Mustached Jász Laci’s Winery) was founded by Jász Laci in 2013 on the extinct volcanic butte of Somló in western Hungary. Boasting a prodigious mustache that graces the label of this bottling, he is passionate about making wines slowly and naturally, and only makes wines that spend time on their skins in accordance with ancient Kartulian techniques. He adds zero or very little sulfur in the cellar. ‘Rising Sun’ is a field blend of native grapes juhfark, olaszrizling, and pátria, along with some chardonnay, all co-planted and co-fermented spontaneously with ambient yeast in stainless steel without temperature control. It spent 4 months on the skins and remained on the lees until bottling. Deep amber in color, it opens with aromas of dried flowers, herbs, and hay over layers of golden apple, apricot, kumquat, and peach pit. Full bodied and rich on the palate, it hints at prosciutto wrapped cantaloupe while also showing the subtle smokiness Somló wines are known for (thanks to the volcanic terroir), alongside hints of woodsy spice. The finish is powerful, earthy, and saline, with grippy tannin. Certified organic, biodynamically grown, low-intervention/natural wine, skin-fermented.