Klausberg Riesling Privatreserve trocken 2005 1500ml Magnum

A gracefully aged Riesling of dense texture, whose fine tannins support the wine from start to finish. Finesse and depth outweigh sheer richness, while ripe, appley acidity keeps it remarkably fresh. Dry, 12.5% ABV.

The Klause is a parcel within the Steiner Gaisberg—not an official single vineyard (Ried)—named after the hermitage once located there. It encompasses the uppermost terraced section of the 5.7-hectare Gaisberg and is largely sheltered by forest, creating its own unique microclimate. Ried Gaisberg is situated at 230 to 330 metres above sea level along the crest and peak of the hill, facing south-east with excellent air circulation. The bedrock consists of Gföhl gneiss, mica schist, and amphibolite. The vineyard name has been documented since 1215.

Pure Riesling, vinified dry, released in 2024 as an Archive Release from the estate cellars. Nikolaihof has been farming biodynamically according to Demeter standards since 1971. In the Roman vaulted cellar, the musts ferment spontaneously in large Slavonian oak casks; pressing is done using a 350-year-old wooden basket press, and some of the estate's wines age for a decade or more.

The bouquet is rich in exotic nuances: starfruit, lychee, dried mango chunks, and butter-browned pineapple. This aromatic profile lingers persistently before giving way to complex spice: star anise, saffron, curry, and lemongrass. On the palate, a delicate salinity joins the mineral tones, leading to a long, vibrant, and fresh finish.

1500 ml magnum. Nikolaihof is recognized as the oldest Demeter-certified winery in the world and is the only certified biodynamic producer in the Wachau; the Saahs family has cultivated the 22 hectares since 1894, and the cellar rests upon Roman foundations dating back to 63 BC.