2020 Joh. Jos. Prüm Wehlener Sonnenuhr Riesling Auslese Goldkapsel

Weingut Prüm (Weingut Johan Josef Prüm) is a winery with a rich history; the roots of the Prüm family lie in the Moselle region for over 800 years. This famous winery was founded in 1911 by Johan Josef Prüm, and in 1920, his son Sebastian began working in the family business.

Son Sebastian is the founder of the style, recognizable to this day, for which Prüm wines are renowned worldwide. Sebastian Prüm passed away in 1969, passing the management on behalf of his sons, Dr. Manfred Prüm and younger brother Wolfgang Prüm. Today, the winery is run by Manfred and his daughter Katharina Prüm. The house has dedicated itself entirely to the cultivation of Riesling. The majority of the vines are not grafted; this was not necessary because the Phylloxera louse cannot survive among the slate on which the vineyards are grown. Depending on the harvest, Prüm produces between 10,000 and 13,000 cases annually. The vineyards cover an area of 22 hectares in Wehlener Sonnenuhr, Graacher Himmelreich, Zeltinger Sonnenuhr, and Bernkasteler Badstube, respectively.

The Wehlener Sonnenuhr Auslese (Golden Capsule) 2020 is incredibly clear and precise on the nose, and if there were botrytis here—and there was, otherwise you wouldn't get this concentration and the delicate raisin aroma—it was perfect and came at the perfect moment. This is a kind of quintessence of the Sonnenuhr. On the palate, this is a round and immediately stimulating Auslese with so much vitality and flavor, and it finishes with a tight and lasting mineral structure that makes this a great vin de terroir capable of aging for decades. It is crystal clear and does not even taste sweet due to its spiciness and salinity. This is the essence of the JJ Prüm style! A fantastic wine that should not be opened again for the next fifteen years, although everyone would love to drink it now, except perhaps Dr. Manfred Prüm, who fell in love with the Lay Auslese instead because he was drinking it now.