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Nikolaihof Riesling Vinothek 1997 750ml

size
750ml
country
Austria
region
Wachau
WA
97
VM
97
Additional vintages
2002 2000 1997
WA
97
Rated 97 by Wine Advocate
Aged for 17 years in a domestic 3,500-liter cask before it was bottled in August 2014, the 1997 Riesling Vinothek is the best part of the regular 1997 Riesling Smaragd Im Weingebirge, which was bottled and marketed in late 1998. The aged Vinothek version offers a fascinatingly clear, bright, deep and multi-layered nose with iodine and ripe as well as intense white-fleshed fruit aromas. Full-bodied, full of finesse and elegant, this dry, transparent and mineral Riesling develops a great intensity, complexity and power on the palate, but never leaves its silky road of purity, finesse and transparency. There is a lot of Spiel and tension here, but the most exciting characteristic trait is the intense and very mineral, almost endless finish. How youthful this wine is! And its further aging potential is still terrific. The wine reminds me of certain sherries, white Riojas and Jura wines, although it is not less oxidative. But it spent a long time in cask and has the freshness, complexity and thrilling taste of those. It's a great, unique and stimulating wine that was bottled with 12.8% of alcohol, 6 grams of residual sugar and 6.5 grams of acidity. ... More details
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Nikolaihof Riesling Vinothek 1997 750ml

SKU 760918
Out of Stock
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Winery Nikolaihof
green grapes

Varietal: Riesling

Riesling grapes have been grown in and around central Europe for centuries, and over time, they became the lasting symbol of south Germany's ancient and proud wine culture. Whilst the reputation of German wines abroad has in the past been mixed, the Germans themselves take an enormous amount of pride in their wineries, and Riesling grapes have now spread around the globe, growing anywhere with the correct climate in which they can thrive. Riesling grape varietals generally require much cooler climatic conditions than many other white grapes, and they are generally considered to be a very 'terroir expressive' varietal, meaning that the features and characteristics of the terroir they are grown on comes across in the flavors and aromas in the bottle. It is this important feature which has allowed Riesling wines to be elevated into the category of 'fine' white wines, as the features of the top quality bottles are generally considered to be highly unique and offer much to interest wine enthusiasts.
barrel

Region: Wachau

Wachau is an ancient Austrian wine region, and is responsible for producing the majority of Austria's fine wines. The beautiful Gruner Veltliner and Riesling grapes which grow in the fertile vineyards of Wachau, along the banks of the ancient and mighty river Danube, are used to make wines of real distinction and character, often made with age old, traditional techniques which have been passed down through the generations of family wineries. The climatic conditions in Wachau are ideal for growing these and other grape varietals, as the long and warm summers offer plenty of time in which the grapes can ripen fully. As such, they can take on plenty of characteristics of their wonderful terroir, alongside beautiful floral and earthy flavors, and a wide range of elegant aromas.
fields

Country: Austria

For over four thousand years, Austria has been home to some of Europe's finest wines, with a strong domestic wine industry which is beginning to be once again recognized for its world class quality. All over the eastern part of the country, and even in the capital, Vienna, small wineries are working with the grape varietals which flourish in the country's hot summer climate and mineral rich soils, fed by the Danube and other great rivers which cross the flat lands of this part of Austria. Most commonly, wineries work with the Grüner Veltliner grapes which grow so well here, and produce the dry and elegant white wines which typify Austria's viticultural produce. However, many other fine grape varietals are grown and used for a wide range of wine styles, including some extremely interesting sweet white wines similar to those found in neighboring Hungary.