2022 Radikon Slatnik Bianco

The late Stanislao (Stanko) Radikon’s bold decision in the 1990s to embrace extended skin contact and natural winemaking, alongside his neighbour Josko Gravner, played a pivotal role in the global rise of amber/orange wines. Over the course of 36+ vintages Stanko, and now his son Sasa, have remained uncompromising in their pursuit of wines that are pure expressions of their Friulian terroir, rejecting chemical additives, temperature control, and sulphur. Rooted in the traditions of Stanko’s grandfather, the Radikon estate in Oslavia focuses on Ribolla Gialla, with vineyards planted on steep clay and shale slopes, meticulously farmed by hand. Since 1995, Stanko progressively returned to historical methods, extending maceration from 7 days to 3 months and eliminating sulphur entirely by 2002, crafting age-worthy wines that are, in Stanko's words, "totally genuine." While the core of the estate was formed around plantings of Ribolla Gialla, Stanko’s parents also added small parcels of Merlot, Tocai Friulano and Pinot Grigio.

Slatnik is a blend of 80% Chardonnay and 20% Tocai Friulano that spends eight days macerating on the skins.

Other Reviews....
The 2022 Bianco Slatnik is wild with an exotic bouquet of incense and dried flowers, tangerine and hints of fresh mint. This opens with a pretty inner sweetness that gives way to tropical melon and citrus tones, all guided by juicy acidity. It finishes with admirable length and is potent yet still remarkably fresh, leaving traces of candied grapefruit and spice. This is an intense vintage of Slatnik, yet the balance cannot be denied. It’s a blend of 80% Chardonnay and 20% Tocai Friulano that spends eight days macerating on the skins. Drink 2024-2029.
92 points
Eric Guido - Vinous