Nikolaihof - Riesling Vinothek 2008

Nikolaihof is one of the oldest wine estates in Austria, whose history goes back almost 2000 years to the Roman empire. Originally chosen by the Romans because it was considered a Celtic holy site prior to 800 B.C., the foundations of the current house date to a Roman tower which existed as early as 63 B.C. Wine has been produced here since the time of the Celts and continued throughout the time of the Romans. Germanic monks obtained the estate during the collapse of Rome, and the first written evidence of winemaking comes from 470 A.D. This writing documented the monk’s ownership of the vineyard ‘Im Weingebirge’, the earliest named vineyard site in all of Europe.

In 1894 the Saahs family acquired Nikolaihof and carried on the traditions the monks had established here. Integrated farming continued, and even as winemaking and grape growing took a larger role at Nikolaihof in the 1960s, chemicals were never used in farming. Essentially this estate has always been organic. Nicholas Saahs and his wife Christine took over the estate in the late 1960s and Christine instigated the conversion to biodynamic farming. Nikolaihof has been practicing biodynamics since 1971, making them one of the longest biodynamic practicing wineries in the world. Nikolaihof became Demeter certified biodynamic in 1998. As of 2005, Nikolaus Saahs, Christine and Nicholas’ son, has taken over winemaking and operations at this historic winery.

Nikolaihof still functions as an independent, biodiverse farm, growing all kinds of herbs, fruits and flowers, tending beehives for honey, and even using seeds for grapeseed oil. The average age of the vines at the estate is 47 years old and the vineyards are farmed without herbicides, pesticides, artificial fertilizers, or synthetic sprays. Instead, stinging nettles, manure, valerian root, and other specially produced preparations are used. Natural fermentations are the rule, in Austrian oak vessels, deep in the cold, 700-year-old cellar. Long lees contact and aging are the norms, with some wines aging as long as 15 years before being bottled.

Aged for 15 years in 3,500-liter old oak casks. Bottled in 2024.

"From the site Im Weingebirge, fermented in stainless steel, aged in a large oak cask and bottled in April last year, the 2008 Riesling Vinothek is clear and deep on the initially somewhat untamed and gamey as well as flor-inflected and slightly oaky nose that nevertheless indicates very clear and healthy, elegant and concentrated fruit with flinty notes, and it gains clarity and complexity with air. Aeration is highly recommended here and gives way to ginger notes and detailed terroir notes representing the amphibolite, loess and paragneiss of the soil. On the palate, this is a concentrated, fresh and elegant, tightly structured and refreshing mineral Riesling whose grip is still firm and biting (12 milligrams per liter of free sulfur dioxide). This is still a discreet wine that is to be handled with care and a carafe. I kept the bottle for five days to taste the wine again since the first impression represented caged potential rather than revelation. The second tasting showed a little bit more open and finessed, pure, fresh and saline yet still not singing. 12.5% stated alcohol. Natural cork. Tasted in January 2025. 2008 was not an easy vintage on the Danube. The mild winter was followed by an early budbreak. Flowering from mid-June was delayed, and the entire vegetation period was characterized by heavy rainfall. The summer hardly took place and led to a damp, cool fall. The wines of the vintage tend to be lighter and characterized by a lively acidity structure." - 96 Points, Robert Parker's Wine Advocate

"The 2008 Riesling Vinothek was bottled in April 2024 and is a current release. A soft sense of lanolin and creaminess defines the nose, edged by the gentlest citrus zestiness. The palate is superbly bright and very slender, carrying more of that lanolin character with the smoothest, slightest texture. Brightness, earthiness and luminosity are strangely combined in this elixir-like wine. Super slender, concentrated and quiet, it really goes under your skin." - 95 Points, Vinous

Producer: Nikolaihof

Country: Austria 

Region: Niederösterreich

Varietal: Riesling

Appellation: Niederösterreich

Vintage: 2008

Size: 750ml