2001 Nikolaihof Riesling Federspiel Vom Stein
This was aromatically lovely, but not the crystalline, perfect beauty that it can be. I think this is maybe a year or so late. Don’t get me wrong, it is still an excellent wine with lots of flowers, fruits, and a sense of being in some mountainous field from a movie. I’ve said this many times, but there is a vitality, and alive-ness to Nikolaihof wines. This is maybe my favorite estate that I have never visited. One day I will make it to the Wachau.
1995 Janasse Châteauneuf-du-Pape Vieilles Vignes
Once again, this wine disappoints. For whatever reason, it has never fulfilled the promise it showed as a young wine. It’s not flawed, or bad, just completely non-descript and uninteresting. Oh well.
Don't age Janasse either!
ReplyDeleteI agree with your headline.
ReplyDeleteWhen you get to the Wachau, paddle downstream and across the river to Mautern, where you will find Nikolaihof.
I had the Nikolaihof over the weekend and it was pretty great. I was pleasantly surprised.
ReplyDeleteWell, it isn't that it has gone bad, it's that I think it is on the decline. I just don't see the tertiary characteristics being more pleasant.
ReplyDeleteYMMV, but that makes you an inconsistent driver.