Klausberg Riesling Privatreserve trocken 2005

A Riesling from Nikolaihof's archive, released in 2024, deep golden saffron yellow in the glass. The bouquet is taut and rich in exotic notes: star fruit, lychee, dried mango pieces, butter-browned pineapple. This fruit remains stable for a long time before star anise, saffron, curry and lemongrass emerge.

The Klause is a site within the Steiner Gaisberg, not an official Ried, named after the hermitage located there. It comprises the uppermost, terraced section of the Gaisberg's 5.7 hectares. The site lies at 230 to 330 metres above sea level on the summit and ridge of the hill, facing south-east and well ventilated. The subsoil consists of Gföhl gneiss, mica schist and amphibolite; the site name has been documented since 1215. The surrounding forest creates its own microclimate.

Pure varietal Riesling, vinified dry, 12.5% vol. At Nikolaihof, the musts ferment spontaneously in large Slavonian oak casks, and a 350-year-old tree press still operates in the Roman-vaulted cellar. Long cask ageing is part of the house tradition, with some wines remaining a decade or longer.

Aged with dignity, with a dense texture and tannin that keeps the wine upright. The mineral nuances are joined by a light salinity. Density and richness carry refinement and depth, while the ripe apple-like acidity gives a fresh, long finish.

Nikolaihof is considered Austria's oldest winery, its cellar built on Roman foundations dating from 63 BC. The Saahs family has farmed the 22 hectares since 1894 and has worked biodynamically to Demeter standards since 1971, remaining to this day the only certified biodynamic producer in the Wachau.