Nikolaihof | Wachau | Klausberg Riesling Privatreserve trocken | 2008 | 750ml | bio

Description

Product description for Nikolaihof Klausberg Riesling Privatreserve trocken 2008 (bio)

The Nikolaihof is the oldest winery in Austria, dating back to 63 AD. After secularization at the end of the 19th century, the business passed into the hands of the Saahs family. In 2005, Nikolaus Saahs took over management. Since 1971, the Nikolaihof has operated according to biodynamic principles, which ultimately led to Demeter certification. Since then, the motto has been: nettle manure, valerian drops, horsetail tea, and specially prepared preparations instead of herbicides, pesticides, or fungicides. The “Klause” is a special plot within the Steiner “Gaisberg” (Gaisberg), but not an officially designated vineyard. This small, terraced site owes its name to a nearby hermitage. It extends over the upper section of the 5.7 hectares of the Gaisberg. The Gaisberg vineyard itself lies between 230 and 330 meters above sea level at the top and along the ridge of the mountain. Its southeastern exposure and good air circulation create ideal conditions. The subsoil is composed of Gföhl gneiss, mica schist, and amphibolite. The first mention of the name dates back to 1215. Surrounded by forest, the Klause vineyard creates a unique microclimate. The wine from this site has had to be renamed several times in recent years, as the winery inspectorate deemed terms like Klausberg or Klause am Berg potentially misleading. Today, it is simply called “Klause.” The grapes for this wine come from various vineyards on the Steiner Gaisberg. Fermentation takes place primarily in steel tanks, but occasionally in small, used wooden barrels. After fermentation and aging on the full lees, the wine is finally blended and transferred to large wooden barrels for further storage.

Colour

Rich old gold, radiant and clear.

Nose

The 2008 Klausberg Privatreserve Archive Release 2024 from Nikolaihof initially presents itself as a bulging package: cascades of ripe pome and stone fruit fill its fruit basket, along with candied orange peel, candied lemon peel, and dried fruits such as apricots, quinces, and dried fruits. A touch of honeycomb and saffron in the top note orchestrate this yellow-fruity ensemble, which blows its golden horn with firm breath. With increasing aeration, the scenario slims down without losing its opulence. Rather, it condenses the substance into a taut symphony.

Palate

The orchestral fruit of the nose is complemented by calm notes reminiscent of green tea. Initially full-bodied with a soft bite, the overall texture of the wine changes after about an hour: it becomes leaner, more focused, and yet more open-meshed. The honey tone fades into the background, herbs – borage, burnet – come to the fore, then dried fruit and candied orange peel emerge. The accompanying phenolics give it structure and frame the sparkling fruit like a jewel, while the delicate ripe notes add nobility and understatement to the saline finish.

Copyright Vinaturel 2025

Keywords: Nikolaihof Klausberg Riesling Privatreserve trocken 2008 bio Wachau Austria

Wine Advocate

Score: 96

From the highest plot within the Steiner Gaisberg in Krems and named Klause am Berg today by the Saahs family (who changed the name of the wine too often), the 2008 Klausberg Riesling Privatreserve is intensely yellow-golden in color and opens with an accordingly intense and aromatic bouquet that indicates a certain bottle maturity by pairing dense stone fruit aromas (mirabelle plums and apricots) with flinty/smoky terroir (gneiss) but also oriental spice aromas (including saffron) and even dark pumpkin seeds. It’s remarkably deep. Very elegant and refined on the palate, the 2008 is less generous and “cooked” compared to the hedonistic 2012 yet celebrates the lightness, vibrancy, finesse, savoriness and elegance of maturing Riesling. This 2008 is long and complex and always stimulating thanks to its fine mineral grip and tension. This Klausberg is a concentrated yet clear and crystalline Riesling with a fine texture and great talents to match many kinds of dishes, especially fish and white meat as well as yellow curries. 12.5% stated alcohol. Natural cork. Archive Release 2024. Tasted in January 2025.
Stephan Reinhardt

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