Staatliche Weinbaudomäne Niederhausen Schlossböckelheim - Niederhäuser Hermannsberg Riesling Eiswein 1987

Staatliche Weinbaudomäne Niederhausen Schlossböckelheim - Niederhäuser Hermannsberg Riesling Eiswein 1987

Introduction

The 1987 Niederhäuser Hermannsberg Riesling Eiswein from the Staatliche Weinbaudomäne Niederhausen Schlossböckelheim is a rare rarity from the traditional Nahe wine-growing region. The wine dates back to a time when the estate was still run as a model state winery and bears the signature of one of Germany's most prestigious vineyards. 1987 was a vintage characterised by cool, changeable conditions in the Nahe growing region, making ice wines particularly rare and sought-after in this year. The winery itself, a former royal Prussian domain founded in 1901, enjoyed the highest reputation for its noble sweet products. The following explanations shed light on the eventful history of the domain, the unique volcanic terroir of the Hermannsberg and the special features of the vintage, before analysing the aroma profile and market value of this exceptional wine.

1. The winery: from royal Prussian domain to state wine-growing domain

The winery that produced this Eiswein looks back on a history of over a hundred years that is closely linked to the development of viticulture on the Nahe.

1.1 Foundation of the Royal Prussian Winegrowing Domain

The origins of the estate date back to the last years of the 19th century. In a letter dated 23 November 1899, the President of the Prussian administrative district of Koblenz, Joseph Anton Friedrich August Freiherr von Hövel, applied to the Ministry of Agriculture in Berlin for the establishment of a domain-fiscal facility. The aim was to create a state-run model operation in order to improve the economic situation in viticulture, which was suffering from the massive occurrence of phylloxera and fungal pathogens introduced from America. In addition, the Nahe wines were to be led out of anonymity, as they were often sold under foreign names such as "Rüdesheimer" or "Rheinwein". in 1901, the wine-growing domain was founded under the name Königlich-Preußische Weinbaudomäne Schlossböckelheim-Niederhausen.construction of the buildings began in 1902 and the first vines were planted in the newly created vineyards in 1903.

1.2 The state wine-growing domain

After the dissolution of Prussia in 1948, ownership was transferred to the newly founded federal state of Rhineland-Palatinate, and from then on the estate operated under the name Staatliche Weinbaudomäne Niederhausen-Schlossböckelheim. During this time, during which the 1987 Eiswein was also produced, the estate operated as one of the leading quality winegrowing operations in the region.

1.3 Gut Hermannsberg: privatisation and the present day

In 2010, the winery was privatised and has since operated under the name Gut Hermannsberg. The new owner, entrepreneur Achim Niederberger, invested in the vineyards, cellar and the entire estate. Today, 100% of the estate's vineyards are planted with Riesling and comprise 30 hectares of vines, all of which are VDP Grand Cru sites. The estate is a founding member of the Association of German Prädikat Wine Estates (VDP).

2. The vineyard site: Niederhäuser Hermannsberg - A volcanic monopoly

Niederhäuser Hermannsberg is one of the most legendary and historically deeply rooted vineyards in the Nahe wine-growing region. Its outstanding quality is emphasised by its classification as a VDP.GROßE LAGE®. The special thing about this site is that it has been the sole property of the winery for generations, making it a monopollage.

The terroir of the Hermannsberg is unique and characterises the unmistakable character of the wines:

• Soil: The bedrock is clay slate. In addition, the soil composition consists largely of weathered red volcanic rock (porphyry) and Rotliegendem. The high proportion of stone guarantees perfect drainage and stores the heat from the sun, which it releases back to the vines at night. Above the slate lies a layer of loess, which provides additional fertility. Over 100 years ago, mining activities also brought melaphyre, another volcanic rock, into the vineyard.

• Orientation & microclimate: The site is oriented as a steep south-facing slope with a gradient of up to 40% and an altitude of 150 to 180 metres. This southern exposure in a sheltered basin location maximises sunlight, minimises wind influences and favours the development of concentrated aromas.

• Character of the wines: The combination of slate, loess and volcanic rock gives the wines an extraordinary complexity: a fine subtlety, exciting power, a warm, smoky minerality and often a savoury spiciness. The best wines from this site possess remarkable balance and delicate acidity. The enormous ageing potential of these Rieslings is legendary.

3. The 1987 vintage - A cool vintage for rare ice wines

The 1987 vintage on the Nahe, as in many German wine-growing regions, was characterised by rather cool and changeable weather.The year had a relatively mild winter, but a rather rainy summer with a few very hot phases. September and October were also rather mixed, but also brought sunny spells. The cool nights in late autumn made it possible to produce ice wine in the best locations, which made this vintage particularly interesting for noble sweet wines. 1987 was a vintage for winegrowers that required a lot of manual labour and precise selection decisions. Despite the challenges, the best producers were able to produce wines with a clear, racy acidity and fine mineral structure.

4. The wine: Niederhäuser Hermannsberg Riesling Eiswein 1987

Ice wine isthe highest form of natural sweetness in the German wine system. It is made from frozen grapes that are harvested and pressed at temperatures of at least -7°C. The frozen water remains in the press as ice crystals, while the highly concentrated must is extracted. The minimum must weight for an Eiswein corresponds to that of a Beerenauslese (BA). The 1987 Eiswein is a single-varietal Riesling whose technical data are described as follows:

5. Flavour profile and ageing potential

After more than 35 years of ageing in the bottle, this 1987 Eiswein has developed into an exceptionally complex and harmonious wine.

• Appearance: The wine shows a medium to intense golden yellow colour in the glass , which already reveals the first signs of incipient maturity.

• Nose: The bouquet is very complex and multi-layered. The frozen harvest preserves the purity of the fruit, which reveals itself as overripe apricot, peach and exotic fruit (mango, papaya, lychee). The noble rot, which is essential for concentration, brings out delicate honey notes and a hint of créme brûlée. The nose is dominated by a clear, mineral note, reminiscent of damp slate and smoked bacon - a typical characteristic of the volcanic porphyry soil. There are also floral accents of yellow flowers and lime blossom, which lend the wine great elegance. A tasting note from Idealwine describes flavours of fully ripe stone fruit and a pronounced minerality.

• Palate: Despite the high sugar content, the wine is structured on the palate by an almost cool, refreshing acidity that ensures a perfect balance. The attack is creamy and oily, filled with the concentrated fruit flavours of the nose. The texture is dense and weightless at the same time. The finish has an extremely long, mineral flavour that lingers for minutes.

• Ageing potential:This wine is now at the zenith of its maturity, but its dense structure, extract-rich sweetness and vital acidity will enable it to remain at this high levelfor many years to come, probably until 2040 and beyond.

6. Current market presence and pricing

The 1987 Eiswein from the Staatliche Weinbaudomäne is an absolute rarity that is rarely found on the open market. Prices vary depending on the format, fill level and condition of the bottle.

The pricing reflects the great rarity of this wine. A 0.75l bottle in perfect condition ("base neck") would certainly fetch a higher price at auction than the €159 mentioned here. The wine is a coveted collector's item for lovers of German Riesling ice wines from the 1980s.

Conclusion and evaluation

The Staatliche Weinbaudomäne Niederhausen Schlossböckelheim - Niederhäuser Hermannsberg Riesling Eiswein 1987 is an exceptional testimony to the fine art of noble sweet winemaking on the Nahe. It combines the eventful history of a former royal Prussian model estate with the unique, volcanic terroir of one of Germany's largest vineyards.

The purity and concentration of the fruit, the cool, lively acidity and the deep, smoky minerality make this wine an unforgettable flavour experience. An absolute rarity for collectors and lovers of great, mature Rieslings, this Eiswein is a liquid monument that has stood the test of time and today reveals a fascinating, complex and harmonious picture of the art of winemaking in the late 20th century. Anyone who has the opportunity to taste this wine can expect a rare piece of German wine culture.