Klausberg Riesling Privatreserve trocken 2008

Wine description for Klausberg Riesling Privatreserve trocken 2008 by Nikolaihof

Colour & Appearance

Rich old gold, radiant and clear – a Riesling that carries its sixteen years with dignity.

Nose

This Archive Release 2024 presents itself initially opulent and multi-layered: ripe stone and kernel fruits dominate, accompanied by candied orange peel, candied citron and dried apricots. Quinces, medlars and a hint of honeycomb with saffron in the top notes lend depth to this yellow-fruit ensemble. With air contact, the aromatic profile becomes more refined, without losing substance – rather, it condenses into a taut, concentrated symphony.

Palate

The orchestral fruit of the nose finds its continuation on the palate, complemented by quiet notes of green tea. Initially full-bodied with soft bite, the wine undergoes a remarkable metamorphosis after about an hour: it becomes leaner, more focused, more open-knit. The honey tone gives way to herbal notes such as borage and salad burnet, then dried fruit and candied orange peel come to the fore. A delicate phenolic structure gives the wine grip and frames the sparkling fruit with precision.

Finish

Long, saline and noble. Delicate notes of maturity provide understatement and elegance in the aftertaste – a wine that need not be loud to be heard.

Terroir & Origin

The grapes come from the Klause, a special parcel within the Steiner Gaisberg in the Wachau. This small, terraced vineyard site lies between 230 and 330 metres above sea level with south-easterly exposure. The subsoil of Gföhl gneiss, mica schist and amphibolite, together with the unique, forest-surrounded microclimate, fundamentally shape the character of this Riesling.

Grape Variety & Vinification

100% Riesling. Fermentation predominantly in stainless steel, partly in small, used wooden barrels. After fermentation and maturation on full lees, blending takes place followed by further storage in large wooden barrels. Nikolaihof has worked biodynamically according to Demeter standards since 1971.

Special Features

An Archive Release from Austria’s oldest wine estate, whose history dates back to 63 AD. This 2008 vintage impressively demonstrates the ageing potential of biodynamically produced Wachau Rieslings. A wine for the patient, one that requires time – both in the glass and in the cellar.