Vanessa

9.5

Nikolaihof is among the oldest winemaking estates in Austria with roots going back approx. 2,000 years. The estate sits among Roman ruins and ancient structures. It was acquired by the Saahs family in 1894, passing from generation to generation since then.🤩🤩

In 1971 it was one of the first estates in the world to adopt biodynamic practices and has been Demeter certified since 1998. Its vineyards can be found on steep hillsides of the Wachau region (a UNESCO World Heritage site) in Austria, overlooking the meandering Danube River, with geographical features that help fuel ripening and moderate temperatures during the growing season. ☀️🌱

This wine is medium (trending deep) gold in appearance. 👁️

👃🏻 On the nose are complex aromas with pronounced notes of peach skin, nectarine, ripe papaya, dried apricot, yellow apple, honeysuckle, peony, steely minerality, wet stones, orange marmalade, hay, fennel, damp leaves, honey, cream, and petrol.

👄 On the palate this wine is dry with mouth-watering acidity, mouth-coating and textural qualities, medium alcohol (12.5%), flavors match the nose, and a long, polished finish.

It’s hard to believe this wine is essentially 24 years old, as it has retained incredible vibrancy adding lift to the earthy and honeyed characteristics. It was bottled in June, 2016, after nearly 16 years aging in old Austrian casks, resting underground in Nikolaihof’s dark Roman-built cellar.👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻 — 4 months ago

with Deked1

Heather Danskin

9.0

Very nice. — 3 years ago

Jan Laursen

9.0

Lys, luftig hindbær/rabarber saft! Vibrerende, sexet, nervøs og lige til at hælde i løgneren — 3 years ago

Pinotman /// Andreas

9.4

From my cellar via Lyle Fass - This is a great winery/coop. So much fun to do a tasting there in Austria in the Danube valley and it is free. Have been there a couple of times. A great wine. At this point it is starting to turn and enter the aged phase of Riesling. Elderberry, touch white peach, meyer lemon, hint jasmine. Was an incredible value. And still is if you can find it what a treat!!! — 8 months ago

Emily

9.0

Smooth dry wine with light oaky finish — 2 years ago

Skip Smyser

9.1

On wine cruise on the Danube River .Margerum winery owner is doing the tasting. This Santa Barbara winery is new to me. A very full bodied Pinot with a lush flavor and aftertaste. — 3 years ago

Liliana Ortix

9.1

Vino del calendario día 9! Yummy — 3 years ago

James Everhart

9.2

Amazing with duck breast — a year ago

Vanessa

9.2

This Emmerich Knoll Smaragd Grüner Veltliner is a stunner!  

It comes from the Wachau region of Lower Austria where the best vineyards are planted on steep terraced slopes overlooking the Danube River. A unique feature of this region is its classification of dry white wines according to ripeness, translating to an associated style and quality.

The “Smaragd” designation is at the top of the ripeness pyramid, awarded to those wines with the most body and concentration of fruit character, having at least 12.5% ABV. 

This means the fruit used to produce Smaragd wines likely came from the best vineyard sites to ensure sufficient ripeness to achieve these qualities, as is the case with this wine hailing from the prized growing environment of Loibenberg.

In a blind tasting setting, what would I look for to try to identify this wine? 

For Grüner, I’d look for asparagus or other delicate vegetal/herbal notes, next to a peppery spice, citrus and green fruits, made in an unoaked (or neutral oak) style, with medium (+) to high acidity.

To further qualify it as a Smaragd, I’d look for indicators of quality with greater viscosity and a fuller mouthfeel, perhaps some riper, tropical and/or stone fruit dimensions, with greater intensity and complexity on the nose and palate overall. I’d look for a fine balance and medium(+) to long finish.

And this particular wine is hitting all of the marks!! It’s absolutely delicious. The kind of white you could decant.

Cheers to delicious, complex wines that would complement any occasion!

Weingut Emmerich Knoll “Loibenberg” Grüner Veltliner Smaragd (2017). 13.5% ABV. — 2 years ago

with Deked1

Douglas Hunter

9.0

Delicious Merlot with a caramel scent and juicy but balanced taste. — 3 years ago