Nikolaihof | Wachau | Riesling Federspiel trocken | 2016 | 750ml | bio

Description

Product description for Nikolaihof Riesling Federspiel trocken 2016 (bio)

Bottled in 2022 “late release.” 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 led to Demeter certification. Since then, nettle manure, valerian drops, horsetail tea, and specially prepared preparations have replaced herbicides, pesticides, or fungicides. Grown on loess-loamy Danube gravel, the 2016 Vom Stein Federspiel Late Release matured for six years in large, old wooden barrels before being bottled in June 2022.

Colour

Rich golden yellow, bright and clear.

Nose

The 2016 Vom Stein Riesling Federspiel Late Release has distinctively spicy ripening notes without any hint of aging. Linseed oil, nutshells, acacia blossoms, and mace outline its heart note, overshadowed by notes of dried fruit, orange blossom, and basmati. Multi-layered and complex, the nose is in constant flux, making reaching for the carafe essential.

Palate

Super juicy on the first sip, it immediately makes you salivate: polished and straightforward with a foil of acidity, it is driving on the palate with electric intensity and pulsating bass. With youthful verve and rapid drinking flow, it is accessible with a low swallowing resistance and a zesty, long-lasting finish.

Copyright Vinaturel 2025

Keywords: Nikolaihof Riesling Federspiel trocken 2016 bio Wachau Austria

Wine Advocate

Score: 91

From the north/northeast-facing Ried Vom Stein that is located within the Ried Silberbichl in Mautern comes Niki Saahs’s 2016 Riesling Federspiel Late Release. Bottled in June 2022, this is an elegant, fresh and savory, well balanced yet also tensioned and vitalizing Riesling with a compact mineral structure and a nervy acidity. The wine opens with bright and clear, fresh fruit and leaves the palate with fine tannin grip. It was aged in a 70-hectoliter cask for six years. 12% stated alcohol. Natural cork. Tasted in January 2025.
Stephan Reinhardt

Vinous

Score: 92

The 2016 Riesling Federspiel Late Bottled was on fine lees for six years in a 12,000-liter barrel, until June, 2022. Evolution is immediately apparent in notes of melted candle wax, hay, citrus and gentle, ripe apple flesh. The palate is very mild, super-smooth with rich yeastiness, very fluid and quite compact. This has a soothing, balm-like quality; citrus works its way slowly through this thick buffering layer of smoothness to finally tingle with bright lemon on the finish. It is on the finish of lemon and wax, and seemingly chalk, that everything happens. This is a slow burner—textural and most unusual. (Bone-dry)
— Anne Krebiehl MW
Drinking window: 2023 – 2035
Review date: Feb 2024

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