Joh Jos Prüm Wehlener Sonnenuhr Riesling Spatlese 2021
Joh Jos Prüm is a family-owned winery located in the heart of the Mosel region of Germany, known for producing some of the finest Riesling wines in the world. The history of the estate can be traced back to the early 20th century when Johann Josef Prüm established his winery. Today, the estate is under the direction of Katharina Prüm, who has continued the family legacy of producing stunning Riesling wines. The vineyards are situated on slopes with steep inclines that allow for optimal sun exposure, and the slate soil provides a unique minerality that is a signature characteristic of Joh Jos Prüm wines. The wines produced by Joh Jos Prüm are known for their balance, complexity and exceptional aging potential. The Kabinett wines are light and elegant, with notes of citrus, apricot and mineral.
The Mosel wine region is situated along the Mosel River in Germany. This region is renowned for producing some of the best Riesling wines in the world. The steep slopes of its vineyards, which rise from the riverbank, provide ideal conditions for grape cultivation. The unique terroir of the region, which consists of a combination of climate, soil, and vineyard sites, produces wines with a distinct flavour profile.
Joh. Jos. Prüm's vineyards are a hallmark of the estate's success. The winery maintains a total of 14 hectares of holdings in several vineyards, including Wehlener Sonnenuhr, Graacher Himmelreich, Bernkasteler Lay, Bernkasteler Badstube and Zeltinger Sonnenuhr. All of these sites are exclusively dedicated to growing and harvesting Riesling grapes for Joh. Jos. Prüm. Of these sites, Wehlener Sonnenuhr and Graacher Himmelreich are the most essential for the winery, both in terms of quantity and quality. Seventy percent of the vines across these vineyards are ungrafted, indicating that the winery holds true to traditional winemaking practices. Depending on the specific vintage, the average annual production of wine is typically between 10,000 to 13,000 cases. Prüm's vineyards are dedicated solely to Riesling production, with the Wehlener Sonnenuhr and Graacher Himmelreich vineyards being the most important.
Spätlese Riesling refers to a specific style of German Riesling wine that is made from fully ripe grapes that have been left on the vine longer to achieve a late harvest. The term "Spätlese" translates to "late harvest" in German, indicating that the grapes are picked later than usual, allowing them to develop more sugar and flavors. Spätlese is one of the Prädikat levels in the German wine classification system. One of the distinguishing features of Spätlese wines is their delightful balance between sweetness and acidity. The extended hang time on the vine allows the grapes to accumulate more natural sugars while still retaining a vibrant acidity. This delicate equilibrium creates a wine that is both lusciously sweet and refreshingly crisp, offering a truly harmonious drinking experience. Spätlese Riesling wines are typically characterized by their sweetness level and balance of acidity. While they are sweet, they also retain a vibrant acidity, creating a harmonious taste experience. These wines often exhibit fruity flavors, such as apple, pear, and peach, along with floral and honey notes. The sweetness of Spätlese Riesling can vary depending on the specific wine. However, they generally have a moderate level of sweetness compared to other German Riesling categories like Auslese or Beerenauslese. With aging, the flavors of Spätlese Riesling can develop further complexity, offering a more nuanced and mature taste profile. This luxurious mouthfeel, combined with their vibrant acidity, contributes to their exceptional aging potential. Over time, these wines continue to develop complexity, offering an evolving bouquet and a more nuanced flavour profile.
The Joh Jos Prüm Wehlener Sonnenuhr Riesling Spätlese 2021 is a wine that effortlessly captures the essence of this esteemed vineyard. From the first sniff, the nose reveals a captivating interplay of smoke, lime zest, ripe Mirabelle and a delightful hint of chervil. With aeration, the wine unfolds further, bringing forth wonderfully ripe notes of lemon zest that are perfectly balanced, not quite candied, but delightfully ripe. On the palate, this wine showcases its rounded, concentrated and profound character. The golden yet citrus-edged fruit fills the mouth, leaving an unforgettable impression. Slightly richer than other Spätlesen, it remains beautifully long, with alluring ripe lemon and lime freshness that keeps the palate alive and craving for more. At first encounter, the nose presents a pure, bright and fresh character, tinged with flinty and slightly reductive notes. Intense lemon aromas take centre stage, accompanied by coolish vegetal nuances that add depth. On the palate, the wine exhibits crystalline refinement, delivering an intense and complex experience. A mouth-tickling sensation, coupled with remarkable purity and savouriness, leads to a finish that showcases vibrant lemon freshness. While light in body, this Wehlener Sonnenuhr Spätlese surprises with its intense flavour. The wines from this vineyard continue to mesmerize with their perfect balance between elegance, freshness, racy fruit and slate-like minerality, unique to the Mosel region. The depth of fruit in this Spätlese is remarkable, showcasing more flesh and power. This characteristic enables the wine to stand up to richer, more complex culinary creations, enhancing the dining experience significantly. On the nose, this wine takes a slightly tropical route, distinguishing itself from its citric counterparts. Lifted blossom florals mingle effortlessly with fine slatey minerals, adding an extra layer of complexity. The palate displays a juicy character, accompanied by a "swishy flowing sensation" that radiates decadence. While showcasing abundant drive and length, the wine's fine textural element prevents it from feeling too slippery, maintaining a perfect balance. The Joh Jos Prüm Wehlener Sonnenuhr Riesling Spätlese 2021 is a wine that exemplifies the pinnacle of winemaking. Its harmonious blend of flavors and textures, along with its lively freshness, make it a delightful choice for those seeking a refined and immersive wine experience. Whether enjoyed on
The 2021er Wehlener Sonnenuhr Riesling Spätlese is really restrained and almost non-saying at this early stage, but already hints at the complexity to come as it reveals after a few minutes very delicate notes of whipped almond cream, lily flowers, vineyard peach, minty herbs, smoke, candied grapefruit, and quite some fine spices. The wine proves creamy yet intense and dynamic on the palate. It proves very focused and already hugely long. This will need quite some time to reveal all its facets, but the potential is immense. 2034-2056 - Mosel Fine Wines, Jean Fisch and David Rayer, 95 Points AK 95
Smoke, lime zest, the ripest Mirabelle, and a highlight of chervil play on the nose of the 2021 Riesling Wehlener Sonnenuhr Spätlese. More air brings wonderfully ripe notions of lemon zest, not quite candied but delightfully ripe. The palate is rounded, concentrated, profound and full of golden yet citrus-edged fruit. Slightly richer than the other Spätlesen but beautifully long with alluring ripe lemon and lime freshness. Weightless substance. Wonderful. - Anne Krebiehl MW, Vinous, 95 Points
The Finer Details
Style - White Wine
Varietal - Riesling
Country - Germany
Region - Mosel
Vintage - 2021
Bottle Size - 750ml
ABV - 7%