Gruner Veltliner Federspiel

Nikolaihof is one of the oldest wine estates in Austria, based in the Unesco-recognized region of Wachau with history goes back almost 2000 years to the Roman empire. Originally chosen by the Romans because it was considered a Celtic holy site prior to 800 B.C., the foundations of the current house date to a Roman tower which existed as early as 63 B.C. Wine has been produced here since the time of the Celts and continued throughout the time of the Romans. Nikolaihof has been practicing Bio-dynamics since 1971, making them one of the longest Bio-dynamic practicing wineries in the world. Natural fermentations are the rule, in Austrian oak vessels, deep in the cold, 700-year-old cellar. Long lees contact and aging are the norms, with some wines aging as long as 15 years before being bottled.

Subtle yeast and sun-warmed hay on the nose lead into a very smooth, serene palate. Medium in body, the mid-palate is dense and buffered, with a pithy notion of lemon, apple and walnut. Part of this wine was made in large-format wood barrel. A salty streak teases on the juicy mid-palate and creamy finish.