2019 Dr Loosen Zacharias Bergweiler-Prüm Erben Wehlener Sonnenuhr Vieilles Vignes Grosses Gewächs

About Weingut Zacharias Bergweiler-Prüm Erben and Dr. Loosen

Weingut Zacharias Bergweiler-Prüm Erben is a unique historical project by Ernst Loosen, the world-renowned winemaker of Weingut Dr. Loosen in Wehlen on the Mosel. With this initiative, he is reviving his family's long-standing winemaking traditions. The project is a tribute to his great-grandfather, Zacharias Bergweiler-Prüm, who was one of the Mosel's most influential winemakers around 1900.
Zacharias built a substantial winery in Wehlen, which, after his marriage to a member of the renowned Prüm family, grew into one of the region's leading wineries. Dr. Loosen's wines—and this special line in particular—combine both family traditions: on the one hand, the dry style of the Loosen family, and on the other, the classic Prädikat wines of the Bergweiler-Prüm family.
Ernst Loosen's goal was to recreate the viticulture and winemaking practices of a century ago as faithfully as possible. Everything is done with minimal intervention, in the spirit of that era, when German Rieslings were among the most highly regarded wines in the world.

The Wehlener Sonnenuhr vineyard

The wine comes from the famous Wehlener Sonnenuhr, a steep, south-southwest-facing slope overlooking the village of Wehlen and the Mosel River. The soil consists of blue slate from the Devonian period, which stores heat during the day and slowly releases it at night. This soil structure creates the refined minerality and freshness that make the wines from this vineyard so distinctive.
The plot from which this wine originates is exceptional: the vines are approximately 130 years old and still growing on their own rootstock. They are tended entirely by hand, without machinery and using only natural materials. The grape yield is low, but the concentration and depth of the fruit are phenomenal. The old vines produce small, compact bunches with high aromatic intensity.
The microclimate of the Wehlener Sonnenuhr offers ideal conditions for dry Rieslings with finesse and power. The combination of steepness, blue slate, and age of the vines makes this location one of the most unique terroirs in the Mosel.

Vinification

The 2019 Wehlener Sonnenuhr Riesling Grosses Gewächs is made from fully ripe, healthy grapes, hand-harvested from the estate's oldest plot. After harvesting, the grapes underwent a brief overnight maceration. They were then gently pressed using a traditional basket press from 1910, which Ernst Loosen has specially restored.
The must fermented spontaneously with indigenous yeasts in a traditional 1,000-liter Fuder barrel made of German oak. The wine did not undergo malolactic fermentation, which contributed to the freshness and precision of the final product. The wine then matured for 24 months on the full lees, without racking or bâtonnage. The wine was not fined, only lightly filtered, and spent a further four years in the bottle before release.
The alcohol content is 12.5 percent, with 7.3 grams of acid and 8.7 grams of residual sugar per liter. Only one barrel was produced, good for approximately 1,200 bottles worldwide. This wine represents the purest expression of dry Riesling from the Mosel in a historic style.

The style and character of the wine

In the glass, the wine displays a clear, light golden color. The aroma is complex and refined, with notes of ripe lemon, white peach, green herbs, and a hint of smoke and wet slate. As the wine opens, nuances of ripe pear, lime, and a light spice emerge. The nose is precise, lively, and mineral, without being overpowering.
On the palate, the wine is taut and layered. The attack is energetic, with a perfect balance between ripe fruit and lively acidity. The structure is full and powerful, yet elegant. There's a subtle salinity and a mineral grip that gives the wine length and tension. The finish is long, dry, and clean, with the crystal-clear precision typical of old slate vineyards.
The 2019 edition combines the ripe concentration of the warm year with the freshness offered by the old vines and terroir of the Wehlener Sonnenuhr. The result is a wine that feels grand and classic, yet with a contemporary purity and finesse.

The 2019 wine year

The 2019 vintage was characterized by extremes. A hot summer and prolonged drought were followed by a few rain showers in September, which helped the grapes ripen fully. The old vines proved resilient and yielded small, concentrated berries with high aromatic intensity.
Although yields were lower than usual, the combination of warmth and refreshing September nights resulted in wines with ripe fruit aromas, robust acidity, and excellent balance. According to the technical analysis, the 2019 vintage combines the ripe density of the 2018 with higher acidity and a more structured tension. This makes it a vintage with great future potential, especially for wines with the precision and depth of this Grosses Gewächs.

Serving tips and storage potential

The 2019 Wehlener Sonnenuhr Riesling Grosses Gewächs is already impressive, but it will continue to develop over the coming decades. Serve this wine at around 10 degrees Celsius in a generous glass to allow its layered aromas to unfold. Combining power with finesse, it's a perfect pairing for rich dishes with a mineral or creamy note.
The wine has exceptional aging potential. It will continue to develop until at least 2045, maintaining its balance between freshness and concentration. After several years in the bottle, the aromas deepen towards honey, brioche, and ripe stone fruit, while the mineral core remains intact. This is a wine that demonstrates just how great dry Riesling from the Mosel can be.

Would you like to order Dr. Loosen wines online?

If available, you'll find the official fact sheet and additional information about this fine wine in the "Attachments" tab. We'll automatically send you these when you order. The wine is stored in our climate-controlled Wine Warehouse, and if you pick it up, you'll often receive a nice discount. You'll see your discount immediately when you select "Pick up" at checkout. We're located in Dordrecht, just off the A16 motorway with ample parking. Click here for our address ( https://www.grandcruwijnen.nl/bezoek-ons ). You can read the full wine reviews from Parker, Suckling, Vinous, and Wine Spectator, among others.
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Wine and food pairings

• Turbot with beurre blanc and green asparagus. The creamy sauce is enhanced by the vibrant acidity and minerality of the wine.
• Roasted veal sweetbreads with lemon and sage. The wine balances the rich texture and enhances the subtle spiciness.
• Grilled scallops with cauliflower cream. The mineral structure enhances the soft, sweet character of the scallops.
• Mushroom and Parmesan risotto. The dry wine accentuates the dish's earthy, umami character.
• Lobster with tarragon butter. The wine lifts the whole experience with its tension and long, fresh finish.
• Grilled sea bass with lemon and fennel. The wine enhances the salty and citrus notes, making the dish even more elegant.