Vinothek Riesling trocken 2000

Wine Description for Vinothek Riesling Dry 2000 by Nikolaihof

Colour & Appearance

Luminous golden yellow with brilliant clarity, testament to the extraordinary maturity of this Riesling now over two decades old. The wine displays remarkable vitality in the glass.

Nose

Complex and multi-layered: liquorice, beeswax and earthy minerality dominate the bouquet. Subtle hints of stone fruit and tree fruit linger in the background, whilst spicy notes and a fine petrol character underscore the impressive maturity.

Palate

Here the true greatness of this wine reveals itself: a creamy texture meets taut phenolics, lending the Riesling an almost Burgundian seriousness. The acidity is perfectly integrated, lively yet never intrusive. Stony minerality and saline notes traverse the palate, whilst the fruit remains deliberately restrained. It is the structure that captivates – precise, transparent, of impressive clarity.

Finish

Long, sustained and carried by fine spice. The acidity provides tension through to the end, whilst the mineral components resonate for minutes to come.

Terroir & Origin

Hailing from Mauthern in the Wachau, this Riesling embodies the stony terraced vineyards of the Danube Valley. The biodynamically farmed Nikolaihof ranks amongst Austria’s oldest wine estates and vinifies according to Demeter standards.

Grape Variety & Vinification

Pure Riesling, bottled 2016 as Late Release 2024. The extended bottle age has produced a wine of extraordinary complexity that, despite its 24 years, retains youthful freshness.

Food Pairing Suggestions

Calf’s sweetbread with morels, pan-fried char, asparagus with brown butter or aged Comté. The wine’s structure and minerality harmonise perfectly with substantial yet not overly heavy dishes.

Special Characteristics

A wine that proves great Riesling can age for decades. Despite 24 years, it appears remarkably youthful – testament to the quality of the 2000 vintage and the uncompromising work of Nikolaihof. This is no fruit-forward Wachau wine, but rather a terroir-driven character wine for connoisseurs.