Nikolaihof | Wachau | Im Weingebirge, Grüner Veltliner Smaragd trocken | 2015 | 750ml | bio

Beschreibung

Product description for Nikolaihof Im Weingebirge, Grüner Veltliner Smaragd trocken 2015 (bio)

The Nikolaihof is the oldest winery in Austria, with a history dating back to 63 AD. After secularization at the end of the 19th century, the business passed into the hands of the Saahs family, and Nikolaus Saahs took over management in 2005. Since 1971, the Nikolaihof has been operating according to biodynamic principles, which culminated in Demeter certification. Since then, nettle manure, valerian drops, horsetail tea, and specially prepared preparations have replaced herbicides, pesticides, or fungicides. The grapes for this Smaragd wine grow in the Im Weingebirge vineyard, a vineyard where Saint Severin retreated to pray 1,500 years ago. The soils there consist of clay, loess, and paragneiss. The grapes ferment spontaneously with their own yeasts, and the must is aged for three and a half years in large, old barrels before being bottled with 2.1 grams of residual sugar and 5.9 grams of acidity. The wine should be decanted well in advance of serving; large, expensive glasses are also the vessel of choice here.

Colour

Rich golden yellow with lime green reflections.

Nose

The maturity of the wine is the main parameter of the 2015 Im Weingebirge Grüner Veltliner Smaragd from Nikolaihof. The characteristic nose is pronounced, and the Smaragd designation is also obvious. Added to this are distinctive aromas that speak of maturity without aging. Despite its size, it has a youthful, brisk quality that is grounded by the grape variety, origin, and aging. With cool fruit, it is reminiscent of the glossy, limpid peel of the quince; pale tobacco leaf and mace, dried Persian lime, and oven-baked lemon chicken complete the presentation and promise sophisticated Veltliner enjoyment.

Palate

There are people who enter a room and it seems pleasantly filled with their personality. The same is true of this wine: one sip conveys a high degree of contemplation, serenity, and peace. With enormous precision and nonchalance, it flows in its characteristic calm from the first sip to the finish. There is nothing pretentious about it, but rather it is characterized by quiet understatement. The silky fruit is viscous, the phenolics delicate as silk. For now, it belongs in a carafe or a large glass, but ideally in the cellar for further years of development.

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Keywords: Nikolaihof Im Weingebirge, Grüner Veltliner Smaragd trocken 2015 bio Wachau Austria

Wine Advocate

Score: 96+

Bottled at the end of April this year, the 2015 Im Weingebirge Grüner Veltliner Smaragd is clear, deep and intense on the nose with its subtle aromas of crushed stones and lemons. Some animal leather and wild boar scents here as well. Full-bodied and intense but also very elegant and finessed on the palate, this is a lush and impressively long and very tensioned, highly expressive Smaragd made for decades. Its slightly oxidative style reminds me of traditional white Riojas, but the crystalline acidity and mineral character is clearly Wachau. A potential top-scorer, but the wine is far too young to be served today. 12.5% alcohol.
Stephan Reinhardt

Producer website: https://www.nikolaihof.at/en/home/