Vinothek, Riesling trocken 2008

A Riesling defined by structure and texture rather than overt fruit. Characterised by transparency and clarity, paired with a vitality that, even after sixteen years in cask, feels more like a beginning than a peak of maturity.

The grapes hail from older vines in the southern section of the single vineyard Im Weingebirge; the Vinothek bottlings do not state the site name on the label. The soil is composed of amphibolite, loess, and paragneiss. The vineyard is regarded as the first documented vineyard site in Europe, recorded as early as 470 AD; Saint Severin retreated here to pray over 1,500 years ago. 2008 was not an easy vintage in the Wachau: a mild winter, an uneven flowering, ample rainfall throughout the growing season, a subdued summer, and a damp, cool autumn. This yielded generally lighter qualities with a vibrant, lively acid structure.

100 percent Riesling. The wine spent over 15 years on the fine lees in a 3,500-litre wooden cask before being bottled in April 2024. Nikolaihof in Mautern has been farmed biodynamically under Demeter certification since 1971.

The first sip is creamy yet tightly woven, expanding into an enduring finish. A fine acidity binds everything together, while distinct phenolics lend gravitas. Accompanied by an array of earthy, stony, and spicy nuances leaning towards liquorice and beeswax, with subtle hints of stone fruit and orchard fruit. Juicy and pure at 12.5% ABV, 1.0 g/l residual sugar, and 6.3 g/l total acidity.

Nikolaihof is built upon Roman foundations dating back to 63 BC and is Austria's oldest winery. It was the country's first Demeter-certified estate and remains to this day the only certified biodynamic producer in the Wachau. Extremely long maturation in large oak casks is the hallmark of the Vinothek range.