WTN: Nikolaihof Riesling Federspiel 2008

Sorry for spamming the forum full of notes, but I'm genuinely excited by the slight change for the better from Alko. This time it's another sort of pre-aged wine, a Nikolaihof Riesling Vom Stein Federspiel 2008. 12% abv which seems just right from Federspiel, but 32€ which even for a well-known producer with a bit of bottle age seems a bit steep for Federspiel.

I've never tried a Federspiel with any bottle age on it. Propaganda says they're to be drunk young. Well, at least with this wine c.9 years is the perfect age to drink it. And maybe that still is within the age limits of "young" Federspiel for Nikolaihof. I don't know, but I have tried some wines from them that have aged very slowly. Light gold. Lovely pure Riesling aromas, crystallized limes and such fun sweet aromas in addition to that term I hate and try not to use since it's so imprecise and meaningless (minerality if anyone was wondering); concentrated and dry and steely palate, nice acidity, bracing but not so harsh that it would be difficult to drink. Quite the opposite: harsh in a structured but not austere way and with such aged character that it is in fact extremely moreish. So refreshing and I hate the word on the finish. And the taste just doesn't end. Don't tell Alko this but I'm almost starting to believe that 32€ for this might just about be justified.

Hope you won't mind more TN spam to follow. There are several more wines I'm excited to try.

[David M. Bueker]

Notes are not spam!

Glad you are seeing some things worth trying. I am a big fan of Nikolaihof, though I do not open the wines as often as I should.

Not spam indeed. Thanks for nice notes.
As for Federspiel, I've been going through some 1998 Knoll GVs that are quite vibrant, and a 1999 Prager Steinriegl Riesling 3 years ago was doing just fine
But 32 euros is steep

But 32 euros is steep

Have you seen recent US prices? CSW sells recent release Nikolaihof federspiel for $35-40, and I'm sure they are not alone.

Steep for me!
Only current release Austrians I've bought in last couple years are inexpensive Gruner liters (Berger, Hofer, etc), lower level Gobelsburgs, and Knolls when half price or less at Zachys ($15-20 Federspiels, $25-35 Smaragds). Like many things I'm being priced out.

Steep for me!
Only current release Austrians I've bought in last couple years are inexpensive Gruner liters (Berger, Hofer, etc), lower level Gobelsburgs, and Knolls when half price or less at Zachys ($15-20 Federspiels, $25-35 Smaragds). Like many things I'm being priced out.

Ok, I agree. I wince at a lot of those prices as well. I always want to buy more Austrian wines - and I think some of the top Smaragds at $50-70 are actually fairly priced for the very high level of wine. But I never seem to get around to it. Maybe this year!