In This Newsletter:
Nikolaihof
&
Trend Alert! Vinopolis Close-Out Sale Featurette: Donnhoff
Nikolaihof
Your Three-Day Discount Starts Now
Nikolaihof
&
Trend Alert! Vinopolis Close-Out Sale Featurette: Donnhoff
Nikolaihof
Your Three-Day Discount Starts Now
Nikolaihof is a giant of Austrian wine—a producer whose history and quality are unrivaled even in a country full of great producers. As Austria’s oldest operating winery, that history dates back to Roman times. Records first note winemaking occurring at the estate in 470, and the Saahs family has run the property for well over a century.
Much like how estates operated in previous centuries, Nikolaihof is farmed under polyculture, producing everything from honey to cut flowers in addition to wine. It was the first winery in the world to fully convert to farming biodynamically, having done so in the 1970s, a surprisingly easy task as no modern farming chemicals have touched the estate’s vines.
The wines are bright, precise and mineral-drenched with the power and density of the Wachau. The family produces wines of deep resonant flavors with a core of vinosity, especially from their top vineyards, Im Weingebirge (the first named vineyard in Europe), Vom Stein, and Steiner Hund. Across their holdings, vines average 47 years in age.
The estate maintains a sense of restlessness and invention about them while being strong tied to ancient practices, best described by importer Rare Wine Company as combining perfectionism with arch-traditionalism. Nothing is done hastily. Whether that’s using a centuries old wooden press, aging wines for years on the lees, or reimagining what wine from the Wachau can be through extended cask aging in their 700-year-old cellar, they incorporate very traditional techniques to give us a beautifully refracted image of Austrian wine.
To taste a wine from Nikolaihof is to taste the history of wine. These wines transcend vintages and varieties to offer a rare glimpse of time itself. These are the heights of Austrian wine from a producer that will outlive us all.
Much like how estates operated in previous centuries, Nikolaihof is farmed under polyculture, producing everything from honey to cut flowers in addition to wine. It was the first winery in the world to fully convert to farming biodynamically, having done so in the 1970s, a surprisingly easy task as no modern farming chemicals have touched the estate’s vines.
The wines are bright, precise and mineral-drenched with the power and density of the Wachau. The family produces wines of deep resonant flavors with a core of vinosity, especially from their top vineyards, Im Weingebirge (the first named vineyard in Europe), Vom Stein, and Steiner Hund. Across their holdings, vines average 47 years in age.
The estate maintains a sense of restlessness and invention about them while being strong tied to ancient practices, best described by importer Rare Wine Company as combining perfectionism with arch-traditionalism. Nothing is done hastily. Whether that’s using a centuries old wooden press, aging wines for years on the lees, or reimagining what wine from the Wachau can be through extended cask aging in their 700-year-old cellar, they incorporate very traditional techniques to give us a beautifully refracted image of Austrian wine.
To taste a wine from Nikolaihof is to taste the history of wine. These wines transcend vintages and varieties to offer a rare glimpse of time itself. These are the heights of Austrian wine from a producer that will outlive us all.
5% off any 3-5 in-stock bottles of Nikolaihof
10% off any 6 or more in-stock bottles of Nikolaihof
Discount will not display online or in your cart,
We will adjust your invoice before processing your charge.
Sale ends Thursday, May 30th at 9 am Pacific.
We offer twelve in-stock options from Nikolaihof on sale now, including:
Familie Saahs Nikolaihof im Weingebirge Grüner Veltliner Smaragd, Wachau 2016 750ml Displayed Price: $66, that’s $62.70 at 5% off and $59.40 at 10% off, 2 bottles in stock now
Stephan Reinhardt-Wine Advocate 94+ points “Bottled with 13% alcohol at the end of July 2019 but filtered in early 2017, the 2016 Im Weingebirge Grüner Veltliner Smaragd offers a fascinatingly clear, fresh and coolish apricot aroma intermixed with morel/mushroom aromas and flinty notes of crushed stones. Full-bodied, round and fleshy on the palate, this is a generous and mouth-filling wine with rather delicate acidity and a slightly bitter, well-structured finish with lingering salinity and mineral freshness. Very promising. Tasted from lot 1420619 at the Nikolaihof in September 2019.”
Familie Saahs Nikolaihof im Weingebirge Grüner Veltliner Smaragd, Wachau 2017 750ml Displayed Price: $69, that’s $65.55 at 5% off and $62.10 at 10% off, 9 bottles in stock now
Stephan Reinhardt-Wine Advocate 95+ points “Bottled in April this year, the 2017 Im Weingebirge Grüner Veltliner Smaragd is fascinatingly deep and refined on the complex, fresh, elegant and remarkably complex nose with its crystalline stone notes. On the palate, the wine reveals great finesse and elegance combined with substance, grip and sustainability. It is a full-bodied, powerful, rich and almost sweet, concentrated and tensioned terroir wine that is still young and ready to go a long distance. 13% alcohol. Tasted at the domaine in June 2021.”
Familie Saahs Nikolaihof Riesling Federspiel, Wachau 2021 750ml Displayed Price: $39, that’s $37.05 at 5% off and $35.10 at 10% off, 5 bottles in stock now
James Suckling 93 points “This youthful Wachau dry riesling is a complex swirl of flint, Amalfi-lemon, white-pear and wild-herb aromas. Sleek, cool and mineral palate with enormous energy, this is fascinating now, but has an even more exciting future ahead of it. From biodynamically grown grapes with Demeter certification. Drink or hold. Screw cap.”
Familie Saahs Nikolaihof Late-Bottled Riesling Federspiel, Wachau 2016 750ml Displayed Price: $59, that’s $56.05 at 5% off and $53.10 at 10% off, 11 bottles in stock now
James Suckling 94 points “If you ever wondered what a Wachau dry riesling tasted like a century or more ago, then here is the answer. Expansive nose of caramelized apple, dried peach and flint. For a medium-bodied dry white this is very delicate in flavor, but also intensely stony and flinty. A unique wine! Bottled in June 2022 after almost six years in large barrels of neutral oak. From biodynamically grown grapes with Demeter certification. Drink or hold. Screw cap.”
Familie Saahs Nikolaihof Steiner Hund Riesling 2017 750ml Displayed Price: $99, that’s $94.05 at 5% off and $89.10 at 10% off, 6 bottles in stock now
James Suckling 95 points “Another stunning Steiner Hund dry riesling from Nikolaihof! Deep and complex nose with a ton of flint, but also crushed-rock, quince and pomelo aromas. For the very warm vintage this is astonishingly cool and restrained, with beautiful wet-stone minerality intertwined with the elegant acidity. Very long, silky finish. From biodynamically grown grapes with Demeter certification. Drink or hold.”
Familie Saahs Nikolaihof Steinriesler Riesling, Wachau 2007 750ml Displayed Price: $89, that’s $84.55 at 5% off and $80.10 at 10% off, 9 bottles in stock now
Stephan Reinhardt-Wine Advocate 98 points “Bottled in June 2019 after 12 years in a large oak vat, the 2007 Riesling Steinriesler is from the Vom Stein [vineyard] in Mautern and exhibits an intense and matured bouquet with caramel and leathery/feral as well as concentrated fruit but also crystalline, stony aromas. Deep, coolish and elegant. On the palate, this is a crystalline, refined and pure, very complex and concentrated wine with a great and complex finish that is structured, still tannic and seriously biting but with the right concentration and power for a long-distance run. It is mouth-watering, enormously tensioned and pushing on the finish. A great dry Riesling for real Riesling lovers. The wine should be decanted for maybe a day or two. 12% alcohol. Tasted at the domaine in June 2021.”
Familie Saahs Nikolaihof Riesling vom Stein Smaragd, Wachau 2016 750ml Displayed Price: $69, that’s $65.55 at 5% off and $62.10 at 10% off, 5 bottles in stock now
Stephan Reinhardt-Wine Advocate 94 points “Bottled in April this year, the 2016 Vom Stein Riesling Smaragd is perfectly ripe and concentrated on the precise, coolish and flinty nose that reveals apricot and white peach aromas. Full-bodied, round and crystalline, this is a fresh, very elegant and textural Vom Stein in a linear and classic style. The finish is intense and reveals firm tannins and makes this an excellent gastronomic wine. 12.5% alcohol. Tasted at the domaine in June 2021.”
Familie Saahs Nikolaihof Riesling vom Stein Smaragd, Wachau 2017 750ml Displayed Price: $79, that’s $75.05 at 5% off and $71.10 at 10% off, 12 bottles in stock now
Familie Saahs Nikolaihof Riesling vom Stein Smaragd, Wachau 2017 1.5L Displayed Price: $169, that’s $160.55 at 5% off and $152.10 at 10% off, 3 magnums in stock now
Stephan Reinhardt-Wine Advocate 94 points “The Mautern 2017 Riesling Ried Vom Stein Smaragd offers a pure, refined and finely oxidative bouquet of bright, ripe fruits intermingled with smoky and saline terroir notes as well as some delicate oak. Round and intense on the palate, with fine, playful and persistently saline acidity, this is a full-bodied, dense and very elegant Riesling with striking intensity and finesse. 12.5% stated alcohol. Natural cork. Tasted in October 2022.”
James Suckling 94 points “A unique style of Wachau dry riesling! Very smoky nose, in fact it’s almost smoked bacon. Complex dried-herb character on the sleek but very structured palate. Impressive depth at the long finish, where notes of caramelized quince and crushed-stone minerality mingle. From biodynamically grown grapes with Demeter certification. Drink or hold.”
Familie Saahs Nikolaihof Neuburger, Wachau 2021 750ml Displayed Price: $41.90, that’s $39.81 at 5% off and $37.71 at 10% off, 12 bottles in stock now
No reviews for the 2021 vintage. 2020 review provided for reference.
James Suckling 91 points “Although this Wachau neuburger is on the lighter side, the intense grapefruit and yellow-apple aromas leap out of the glass. More power and crisper acidity than is normal for the wines of this grape in this category. Good length. From biodynamically grown grapes with Demeter certification. Drink or hold. Screw cap.”
Familie Saahs Nikolaihof Gelber Muskateller, Wachau 2021 750ml Displayed Price: $44.50, that’s $42.28 at 5% off and $40.05 at 10% off, 12 bottles in stock now
James Suckling 89 points “This Austrian dry muscat has restrained aromas and is on the lean and tart side. Very straight and clean, but lacks a bit of the expressiveness we associate with this grape and producer. Might improve with a bit more bottle age. From biodynamically grown grapes with Demeter certification. Drink or hold. Screw cap.”
Arriving in Mid-June from Nikolaihof:
Familie Saahs Nikolaihof Vinothek Riesling, Wachau 2002 750ml Displayed Price: $199, that’s $189.05 at 5% off and $179.10 at 10% off, 12 bottles available
Wine Enthusiast 97 points “A teasing, flinty whiff of reduction beckons from the glass before the taut, fresh, poised but juicy palate hits you. The flavor is reminiscent both of baked and fresh apple, with a smooth lanolin tone. This is not only and elixir but a whole fountain of youth, a full-flavored jewel of a wine. Still slender, still vivid and like balm for the soul. If only we could age so gracefully. “
Familie Saahs Nikolaihof Vinothek Fass Severin Riesling, Wachau 1997 1.5L Displayed Price: $569, that’s $540.55 at 5% off and $512.10 at 10% off, 3 magnums available
James Suckling 98 points “Welcome to the wine time machine! Although there are deep, mature aromas that range from an old library to quince paste and beeswax, after a little aeration some remarkably fresh citrus character emerges. Great concentration and restrained power on the wonderfully harmonious palate. Very long, bone-dry finish. Bottled in early 2022 after 25 years maturing in a large barrel of neutral oak. The barrel name, Fass Severin, is on the label. From biodynamically grown grapes with Demeter certification.”
Stephan Reinhardt-Wine Advocate 96+ points “The 1997 Riesling Vinothek Severin Fass was aged for 25 years in a large, traditional oak cask (filtered, though not on the lees) and opens with an intense yet pure, fresh and spicy, finely oaky bouquet with a deep, mineral tone of crushed stones. On the palate, this is a very intense and complex Riesling slowly building up and revealing great finesse and balanced juiciness. The wine develops a sustainable, aromatic and structured finish with great finesse, lingering salinity and fine tannin grip. A fabulous, intense and elegant Riesling that is incredibly young in terms of freshness but ageless and immortal by its structure and fruit intensity. Natural cork.”
Shop our twelve in-stock Nikolaihof selections on sale now on our webstore!
Vinopolis Close-Out Sale Featurette:
Dramatically Deep Donnhoff Discounting
Ends Tomorrow
5% off any 6-11 in-stock bottles of Donnhoff
10% off any 12 or more in-stock bottles of Donnhoff
Discount will not display online or in your cart,
We will adjust your invoice before processing your charge.
Donnhoff sale ends Tuesday, May 28th at 9 am Pacific.
All 47 of our Donnhoff selections are on our Three-Day Sale ending tomorrow, including 19 selections that are also on our Close-Out Sale. Shop our über-deep discounts, including:
Weingut Donnhoff Felsenberg Riesling Grosses Gewachs, Nahe 2018 750ml Was $69, Displayed Price: $56, that’s $53.20 at 5% off and $50.40 at 10% off, 14 bottles in stock now
John Gilman-A View From the Cellar 94 points “The 2018 Felsenberg GG is also absolutely outstanding this year. The bouquet is impressively expressive at this early stage, soaring from the glass in a blaze of pear, tart orange, a beautiful base of slate minerality, wild yeasts, a touch of fleur de sel and a potpourri of floral scents in the upper register. On the palate the wine is full-bodied, focused and seamless, with outstanding mid-palate depth, powerful mineral drive and great cut and grip on the long, perfectly balanced and youthful finish. This will be show stopping juice in the fullness of time. 2028-2070. 94.”
Weingut Donnhoff Krotenpfuhl Riesling Grosses Gewachs, Nahe 2018 750ml Was $59, Displayed Price: $49, that’s $46.55 at 5% off and $44.10 at 10% off, 13 bottles in stock now
John Gilman-A View From the Cellar 93 points “The 2018 Krötenpfuhl GG is absolutely superb this year. The wine is very pure on the both the nose and palate, with the bouquet delivering a lovely mix of pink grapefruit, tart orange, salty minerality, a touch of wild yeasts and a topnote of citrus blossoms. On the palate the wine is pure, full-bodied and very well-balanced, with a lovely core, ripe, vibrant acids and great focus and grip on the long, nascently complex and very elegant finish. Superb juice. 2026-2060. 93.”
Weingut Donnhoff Oberhauser Brucke Riesling Spatlese, Nahe 2018 750ml Was $45, Displayed Price: $38, that’s $36.10 at 5% off and $34.20 at 10% off, 7 bottles in stock now
Decanter 95 points “The 1.1ha vineyard of Brücke is a monopole of the estate. The vines are planted in loess loam soils over a slate bedrock, and its sheltered location down by the river is perfect for producing spätlese. The 2018 has a ripe green apple character on the nose, joined by notes of white flowers and a touch of honey. The palate is incredibly intense and limey, sweet yet elegant and balanced. It almost appears to be drier than the Leistenberg Kabinett at this early stage, such is its impeccable harmony, absorbing its 85g/l of residual sugar effortlessly. Snap this up when you can, but don’t touch it for a good six years or more. Barrel sample.”
Weingut Donnhoff Oberhauser Brucke Riesling Auslese, Nahe 2018 750ml Was $69, Displayed Price: $59, that’s $56.05 at 5% off and $53.10 at 10% off, 36+ bottles in stock now
Weingut Donnhoff Oberhauser Brucke Riesling Auslese, Nahe 2018 375ml Was $39, Displayed Price: $33, that’s $31.35 at 5% off and $29.70 at 10% off, 17 half-bottles in stock now
Stephan Reinhardt-Wine Advocate 96 points “The 2018 Oberhäuser Brücke Riesling Auslese is perfectly clear and fresh but still intense and concentrated on the spicy and complex nose. Lush and piquant on the palate, this is a fresh, stunningly pure and playful Brücke that is singing and dancing on the knife’s edge. Fabulous in its purity, tension and finesse. Nevertheless, there is the ripeness you can expect from an Auslese. Tasted in July 2019.”
Weingut Donnhoff Niederhauser Hermannshohle Riesling Beerenauslese, Nahe 2015 375ml Was $138, Displayed Price: $125, that’s $118.75 at 5% off and $112.50 at 10% off, 9 half-bottles in stock now
John Gilman-A View From the Cellar 95 points “The 2015 Hermannshöhle BA is still a baby and was in its primary stage of development, but this will clearly be a great wine as well. The bouquet offers up scents of baked apple, tangerine, a touch of papaya, gentle smokiness, orange oil and honey. On the palate the wine is pure, full-bodied, bright and very, very deep, with great focus and grip, a very long, perfectly balanced and nascently complex finish. This will of course be approachable from the moment that it is released, but I would strongly suggest giving it at least four or five years in the cellar to allow it to start to really blossom and show some of the secondary layers of complexity that will come with bottle age. 2016-2075+.”
Shop the 47 Donnhoff selections on sale now on our webstore!
Don’t miss our additional sale going on now:
Boulay
5% off any 4-8 in-stock bottles of Boulay
10% off any 9 or more in-stock bottles of Boulay
Discount will not display online or in your cart,
We will adjust your invoice before processing your charge.
Boulay sale ends Wednesday, May 29th at 9 am Pacific.