Somlói Vándor Kabar-Kövérszőlő 2024

From the volcanic hill of Somló in western Hungary, this 2024 release is composed of two of the 'lesser' grapes of Tokaj Kabar and Kövérszőlő. Somlói Vándor has become one of the leading contemporary producers on Somló, working organically with small parcels across the hill's basalt-derived soils and focusing on varieties capable of transmitting the region's distinctive volcanic mineral character. Kabar, itself a crossing involving Hárslevelű and Bouvier, contributes aromatic complexity, while Kövérszőlő, an old Carpathian Basin variety historically associated with Tokaj adds richness and texture. The 2024 vintage shows stone fruit, quince, citrus peel, and white flowers, supported by a saline, smoky mineral line that is characteristic of Somló's weathered basalt soils. The winemaker prefers to describe this wine as off-dry, or simply a wine, rather than typecasting it as a dessert wine, though there is botrytis here as well.