Joh. Jos. Prüm
Wehlener Sonnenuhr Spätlese Riesling
Mosel, Germany
I’ve enjoyed several wines now from the 2021 Mosel vintage, a vintage that I personally adore for its classicism, and its departure from the current trend of warm, dry and short growing seasons in the region. J. J. Prüm’s WSU Spätlese from this overlooked vintage is an absolutely sensational young riesling that, for me, represents a benchmark of what this region (and winery) can produce.
The nose is fresh, clear, like an alpine stream, truly elevating and disarmingly pure scented. A meadow of flowers, freshly squeezed lime, wet stones, petrichor. It is utterly pristine on the palate: sea salt, a medley of tropical fruit slightly underripe, fresh lime, hazelnuts, flecks of lavender. Enormous presence, but huge acidity from this cold, long growing season which, really, is how these wines were always made. A monumental finish that persists for almost a minute.
This is up there with the greatest Mosel wines I’ve ever enjoyed. I’m pretty chuffed to have bought this wine and most of their range in multiple formats in 2021, and I’ll hold on to those for the next forty years!
I’ve enjoyed several wines now from the 2021 Mosel vintage, a vintage that I personally adore for its classicism, and its departure from the current trend of warm, dry and short growing seasons in the region. J. J. Prüm’s WSU Spätlese from this overlooked vintage is an absolutely sensational young riesling that, for me, represents a benchmark of what this region (and winery) can produce.
The nose is fresh, clear, like an alpine stream, truly elevating and disarmingly pure scented. A meadow of flowers, freshly squeezed lime, wet stones, petrichor. It is utterly pristine on the palate: sea salt, a medley of tropical fruit slightly underripe, fresh lime, hazelnuts, flecks of lavender. Enormous presence, but huge acidity from this cold, long growing season which, really, is how these wines were always made. A monumental finish that persists for almost a minute.
This is up there with the greatest Mosel wines I’ve ever enjoyed. I’m pretty chuffed to have bought this wine and most of their range in multiple formats in 2021, and I’ll hold on to those for the next forty years!
Brighter with limestone, slate, mint, sea notes and a lovely sweet midpalate of peach and apricot. Lighter the 05 and 10. Gorgeous with the food. Great.
Brighter with limestone, slate, mint, sea notes and a lovely sweet midpalate of peach and apricot. Lighter the 05 and 10. Gorgeous with the food. Great.
Mar 1st, 2024Sweet. Very pretty and rich. Lifted and lush with sweet lemon and a hint of honey. A bit dense still- when they aged these have great fruit backing them up
Sweet. Very pretty and rich. Lifted and lush with sweet lemon and a hint of honey. A bit dense still- when they aged these have great fruit backing them up
Mar 1st, 2024Gorgeous and lush with a great streak of balancing acidity. Great intensity and subtle flavor- green apple, lemon grass, steel, salinity with a hint of sweetness. Very good
Gorgeous and lush with a great streak of balancing acidity. Great intensity and subtle flavor- green apple, lemon grass, steel, salinity with a hint of sweetness. Very good
Feb 2nd, 2024
A tasting of six Spatslese Rieslings from Wehlener Sonnenhur, 2008-2019. This was my #1 and the group’s #2. ABV 8.5%.
A tasting of six Spatslese Rieslings from Wehlener Sonnenhur, 2008-2019. This was my #1 and the group’s #2. ABV 8.5%.
Oct 29th, 2023JJP Rieslings age in 10 years the way most others age in 3. That is to say verrrry sloooow. This 40 year old was spectacular. Yellow gold color. Yellow stone fruits. Slate and sunshine. Age worthy for another 10 or more years.
JJP Rieslings age in 10 years the way most others age in 3. That is to say verrrry sloooow. This 40 year old was spectacular. Yellow gold color. Yellow stone fruits. Slate and sunshine. Age worthy for another 10 or more years.
May 27th, 2023
Sweet lime juice, lime zest, dry-ish.
Sweet lime juice, lime zest, dry-ish.
Feb 17th, 2023
After our discussion on the two kabi’s (see my notes on the 18’ Haart Ohligsberg Alte Reben kabi for more info), I asked SC what Prüm brings in terms of a signature… what’s typical of Prüm basically. His answer - sulphides. Hahahahaha. Couldn’t be truer. Took some time for all that to blow away, but once it did… Boah! Our WOTN.
Still so youthful (I’m sure all that sulphides helped). Citrus, peach, white flowers, crushed slate, herbs, and spices. Really filigreed and pure; bringing lots of juiciness in the mid-palate and finishing with an airy feel. Expectedly sweet but very balanced at this stage. So good.
After our discussion on the two kabi’s (see my notes on the 18’ Haart Ohligsberg Alte Reben kabi for more info), I asked SC what Prüm brings in terms of a signature… what’s typical of Prüm basically. His answer - sulphides. Hahahahaha. Couldn’t be truer. Took some time for all that to blow away, but once it did… Boah! Our WOTN.
Still so youthful (I’m sure all that sulphides helped). Citrus, peach, white flowers, crushed slate, herbs, and spices. Really filigreed and pure; bringing lots of juiciness in the mid-palate and finishing with an airy feel. Expectedly sweet but very balanced at this stage. So good.
Lime zest, wet limestone, sea water, sweet lime juice finish. A bit of frizzante.
Lime zest, wet limestone, sea water, sweet lime juice finish. A bit of frizzante.
Sep 30th, 2022