Nikolaihof Federspiel Wachau Grüner Veltliner

Score

91

"A white with lemon, metal, mango and lemon rind. Always rather austere. It’s medium-bodied with good fruit and a delicious finish. From biodynamically grown grapes. Drink now. Screw cap."

Score

92

"The 2018 Im Weingebirge Grüner Veltliner Federspiel is still discreet but fine on the elegant and flinty as well as floral nose, but it's still characterized by its lees' aging, which lasted until April 2019. Round and juicy on the fine and elegant, grapey-flavored palate, this is a charming and delicate, vivaciously mineral and vibrant Veltliner with a lot of sexuality. The 2018 already drinks perfectly well. Tasted from lot 1127019 at the Nikolaihof in September 2019. Drink 2019-2037"

Score

92

"From one of the oldest vineyard designations in Europe (first mentioned in 511 AD) and grown on clay, loess and paragneiss soils, the 2017 Im Weingebirge Grüner Veltliner Federspiel displays a clear and subtle bouquet of white fruits, almonds, cinnamon, stewed apples and a dash of fresh lemon juice. Very elegant and beautifully balanced on the palate, this is a dense, well-structured and persistent Veltliner with a fine, crystalline acidity and a long and intense finish. It was bottled at the end of April and tasted in early September 2018. Drink 2020-2033."

Score

88

"The 2016 Im Weingebirge Grüner Veltliner Federspiel shows clear, relatively intense and complex fruit on the nose. Fermented in stainless steel and aged for three months in large oak vats after a cellulose filtration, this is a light to medium-bodied, well-structured and elegant Grüner Veltliner with clear white fruit and a delicate phenolic structure that gives nice grip on the finish. This is kind of like a Muscadet from Austria: bone dry, a bit yeasty, well structured rather than fruit driven. 11.5% alcohol. Drink 2017-2026."

Score

91

"The quince nose of this wine is very different to any other grüner veltliner out there. This is also sleek and crisp with a seriously mineral finish. Drink or hold. Screw cap."

Score

91

"Scents and flavors of lentil and green bean are accented by weeds and green herbs. There is a hint of creaminess and an overall impression of softness here, doubtless in large part due to the influence of full malolactic transformation. But there is also a refreshing impression of cucumber-like juiciness as well as crunch, and at just 11.5% alcohol, the wine weighs in below the corresponding Hefeabzug, for delightful buoyancy. The finish features alkaline, stony and mouthwateringly saline notes as well as a hint of iodine, all similar to features found in this year’s Hefeabzug bottling. But here there is an enhanced sense of transparency and clarity."

Score

94

"Lemon and pineapple on the nose with mango, smoke, flint and citrus rind . Full-bodied with lovely fruit and a complex finish of chalk, stone and dried fruit. From biodynamically grown grapes. Drink now. Screw cap."