Vom Stein Riesling Federspiel trocken 2008

Wine Description for Vom Stein Riesling Federspiel Dry 2008 by Nikolaihof

Colour & Appearance

Luminous golden yellow with amber-coloured reflexes – the patina of sixteen years of bottle maturity is unmistakable. Brilliant clarity, testament to the biodynamic purity of Nikolaihof.

Nose

Fascinating development: ripe quince, beeswax and candied citrus peel dominate initially, before petrol notes – that classic Riesling maturity marker – unfold elegantly. Behind this, dried herbs, stone dust and a fine honeyed sweetness, derived purely from maturity.

Palate

Remarkably vital and taut despite its age. The Riesling’s acidity has kept the wine youthful, whilst the texture has become silky and complex. Ripe apricot, mirabelle plum and roasted hazelnut meet mineral spice. The wine displays that perfect balance between maturity and freshness that characterises great Wachau Rieslings.

Finish

Long, saline-mineral with lingering citrus aromas and a fine bitterness reminiscent of grapefruit peel. The acidity carries through to the end.

Terroir & Origin

The vineyard site Vom Stein in the Wachau is renowned for its primary rock soils of gneiss and mica schist, which impart the Riesling with its characteristic minerality. Nikolaihof has managed its vines according to biodynamic principles since 1971 – as Austria’s first Demeter-certified wine estate.

Grape Variety & Vinification

Riesling in Federspiel quality, the middle category of the Wachau (11.5–12.5% alcohol). Late bottled in December 2015 – an unusually long barrel maturity before bottling, which imparted additional complexity to the wine.

Food Pairing Recommendations

Pan-fried char with almond butter, veal brisket with apple horseradish, aged alpine cheese or Wiener Schnitzel. The wine’s maturity also pairs well with more robust flavours such as morels or truffle.

Special Features

Archive Release 2024 – a deliberately aged wine that demonstrates how magnificently Wachau Riesling can mature. A historical document of world-class biodynamic winemaking.