Steiner Hund, Riesling trocken 2017

Wine description for Steiner Hund Riesling trocken 2017 from Nikolaihof

Colour & Appearance

Medium golden yellow – a colour that already hints at four years of maturation in large wooden cask and lends the wine a certain maturity without masking its youthful freshness.

Nose

Pronounced and compelling. Lime and orange zest dominate initially, followed by ripe vineyard peach and quince jelly. What distinguishes this Steiner Hund is its intense, almost tangible minerality – a direct expression of the barren primary rock in the eastern part of the vineyard site. The nose promises complexity and depth.

Palate

Here the true class of this Riesling unfolds. Fruit and invigorating acidity form a beautiful harmony, reminiscent of the finest Wachau Rieslings. Remarkable are the delicate tannin notes – a rarity in Riesling that lend the wine additional texture and appetite-stimulating structure. The tension between power and elegance is masterfully balanced.

Finish

Long, mineral and persistent. The aftertaste unmistakably points to considerable ageing potential – this wine has its best years still ahead.

Terroir & Origin

The Steiner Hund vineyard site above Stein an der Donau combines various terroirs: in the east, barren primary rock with little humus; in the west, loess deposits on terrace soils with a 150-metre altitude difference. The vines over 80 years old in the lower western section contribute to the complexity. South to south-west exposure guarantees optimal ripeness.

Grape Variety & Vinification

Riesling from the biodynamically farmed Nikolaihof. The parcels are harvested and vinified separately – partly in wood, partly in steel. The pre-blend aged on fine lees before the wine matured for four years in a large, used wooden cask. This patient vinification pays dividends in depth and harmony.

Food Pairing Suggestions

Pike-perch pan-fried on the skin with roasted cauliflower, calf’s sweetbread with green asparagus or parsnip dumplings with spiced plum sauce. The delicate tannins also make it compatible with more demanding vegetable dishes.

Special Notes

Definitely decant! This wine needs air to show its full complexity. At 12.5% alcohol it remains elegant and inviting to drink – a Riesling for connoisseurs that rewards patience.