Klause am Berg Riesling trocken 2012 1500ml Magnum

A mature Riesling from the Wachau that, after a decade, remains light-footed: 12.5% vol., race, freshness and a round, rich flavour with plenty of potential right to the last sip.

The Klause is a parcel within the Steiner Gaisberg, so not an official Ried. Named after the hermitage once located there, this small, terraced site covers the uppermost part of the Gaisberg's 5.7 hectares. The Ried lies at 230 to 330 metres above sea level, on the peak and ridge of the hill, facing southeast and well ventilated; the subsoil consists of Gföhl gneiss, mica schist and amphibolite. Because the Klause is largely surrounded by forest, it has its own microclimate. The vineyard name has been documented since 1215.

Pure Riesling from Nikolaihof in Mautern, Austria's oldest winery, farmed by the Saahs family since 1894 and biodynamic per Demeter since 1971. In the Roman-era vaulted cellar, a 350-year-old basket press made of oak beams is still in use; the musts ferment spontaneously in large Slavonian oak casks, where the estate's wines age for extended periods.

The nose is broad and carries a subtle sweetness: golden-yellow stone fruit, honeydew melon and grapefruit, alongside sugar snap peas and carrots, lifted by tarragon and lemon balm. On the palate, freshness and race carry the slender body, the acidity remains present but beautifully integrated. Concentration is no empty word here: balanced, dense and round.

Archive Release 2024, in Magnum format at 1500 ml. Nikolaihof stands on Roman foundations dating back to 63 BC and is regarded as the oldest Demeter winery in the world; it is the only certified biodynamic producer in the Wachau.