Joh. Jos. Prum
From Johann Josef to Sebastian to Manfred--and now, to Katharina--the hereditary line of Prüms at this estate is straight and strong. Why is J.J. Prüm still the most famous name in German wine after a hundred years? Partly because their light and racy wines epitomize the region, partly because they possess several incredible vineyard sites and an extraordinary percentage of ungrafted vines within them, which links them to an historic era of German winegrowing... and honestly, it's partly showbiz. Few humans alive have ever seen the cellar at J.J. Prüm, or Manfred's mysterious brother Wolfgang who toils down there. The mystery is compounded at the epic dinners that Manfred and his daughter Katharina host for visitors, during which Manfred disappears for up to 20 minutes rummaging around for the "perfect" bottle to pour, which is invariably old and invariably served blind. Who can resist such a presentation? The 33.5 acre estate produces about 13,000 cases annually. The wines are feather-light, never over-extracted, low in alcohol, transparent as glass, and petrolly as hell in those first 15 years or so; after that, they really get going. Prüm is not tiny, they're not a thousand years old, and they're not doctrinaire about vinification; they are simply the quintessential Mosel estate and the benchmark for all German wine. Amen. The vineyards: Wehlener Sonnenuhr (directly across the river from the house): pure, weathered Devon slate; quite stony. This is often considered Prüm's premier site, and the wines from here are the longest lived. Graacher Himmelreich: very deep soils (great water maintenance); weathered Devon slate with higher clay content and pockets of blue slate. Wines are usually approachable sooner than Sonnenuhr. Zeltinger Sonnenuhr: Prüm owns the filet parcel here, adjacent to Wehlener Sonnenuhr. Delicate wines; insiders' choice. Bernkasteler Badstube: "Our Saar vineyard," the Prüms call it.; weathered Devon slate, with blue slate and traces of loam. Salty, subtle wines. A bit of history about JJPrum: www.pruemwein.de The producers website: www.jjpruem.com
JJ Prum Graacher Himmelreich Riesling Auslese 2013
$49.95
Wine Spectator 93 "Broad-textured, with snappy flavors of green apple, grapefruit and plum, supported by fresh acidity. Chamomile and blood orange notes flood the lithe finish.
JJ Prum Graacher Himmelreich Riesling Gold Kap Auslese 2003
$88.95 $113.60
Wine Spectator 96 "This is really singing. Floral, apricot and mineral notes burst from the glass, and the wine is silky and impeccably balanced. Very concentrated,
JJ Prum Graacher Himmelreich Riesling Auslese 2012
$49.95
Wine Spectator 92 "Compact and filled with sleek flavors of fresh herbs, stone and celery salt, presenting a firm edge to the acidity. Chamomile and lemon
JJ Prum Wehlener Sonnenuhr Spatlese 2017
Wine Spectator 95 Give this some air if you must drink it now, but better to wait for a decade or so. Seductive guava and mango
JJ Prum Graacher Himmelreich Riesling Kabinett 2017
Wine & Spirits 95 The first sip of this wine was like getting a smack for having opened it so soon. The acidity is sharp and
JJ Prum Wehlener Sonnenuhr Riesling Kabinett 2017
Mosel Fine Wines 92 This 2017er Wehlener Sonnenuhr Kabinett offers a superbly floral nose complemented by vineyard peach, almond cream, smoke, minty herbs, pear and cassis.
JJ Prum Graacher Himmelreich Riesling Spatlese 2017
Wine Enthusiast 94 Pristine aromas of lemon and lime introduce this crystalline spätlese. It’s lip-smackingly sweet, marked by concentrated honeysuckle and hibiscus flavors. Electric grapefruit acidity
JJ Prum Zeltinger Sonnenuhr Riesling Spatlese 2017
Mosel Fine Wines 93 This 2017er Zeltinger Sonnenuhr Spätlese is still delicately reduced at first before it starts to reveal its gorgeous nose of almond cream,
JJ Prum Bernkasteler Banstube Spatlese 2017
Wine Advocate 93 The 2017 Bernkasteler Badstube Spätlese (AP 04 17) is clear and precise in its aromatic bouquet that delivers white stone fruit as well
JJ Prum Wehlener Sonnenuhr Auslese 2017
Wine Enthusiast 95 Whiffs of smoke and crushed earth blow off quickly with aeration to reveal succulent white-peach, yellow-cherry and grapefruit tones. Its unabashedly fresh and
Joh. Jos. Prum 2015 Graccher Himmelreich Spatlese
Wine Spectator 92 "A racy, tensile version whose peach, apple, and lime flavors are stretched tight along its axis. Delicate, vibrant, and mouthwatering on the long
JJ Prum Wehlener Sonnenuhr Riesling Auslese 2013
Wine Spectator 95 "This offers a gorgeous array of delicate, floral-tinged green pear, peach and apple flavors that are explosively juicy and fruity-tasting, with a caressing
JJ Prum 'Bernkastler Badstube' Riesling Auslese 2011
Wine Advocate 93 "Given the outstanding performances of its Kabinett and Spatlese counterparts, I approached the Prum 2011 Bernkasteler Badstube Riesling Auslese with keen anticipation and
JJ Prum Graacher Himmelreich Riesling Auslese 2011
Wine Spectator 94 "A savory and delicate style, with well-integrated passion fruit, apple compote and Key lime pie flavors. Zesty acidity and notes of chive and
JJ Prum 'Bernkastler Badstube' Riesling Auslese 2010
Wine Advocate 93 "Site-typical lime and dark cherry accented by cherry pit make for a Prum 2010 Bernkasteler Badstube Riesling Auslese at once liqueur-like in richness;
JJ Prum Graacher Himmelreich Riesling Auslese 2010
Wine Spectator 93 "This white is very fresh and juicy, displaying focused apple pastry and pear tart flavors supported by mouthwatering acidity. Lemon curd and chamomile
JJ Prum Graacher Himmelreich Riesling Auslese 2009
Wine Spectator 95 "Vivid and pure-tasting, with a well-structured array of mineral, peach, citrus and savory spice notes that are tightly wound. Still, this is quite
JJ Prum 'Bernkastler Badstube' Riesling Auslese 2007
Wine Spectator 94 'Gorgeous aromas and flavors of tropical fruit salad stay vivid and etched across the finish thanks to the vibrant structure. Ethereal yet intense,
Joh. Jos. Prum Kabinett Riesling Kabinett 2007
Wine Spectator 91 "The floral, peach and chive aromas and flavors need some coaxing to emerge in this lacy, delicate Riesling. Balanced and long. Best
JJ Prum Wehlener Sonn Riesling Kabinett 2007
Wine Spectator 92 "Floral and smoke aromas give way to peach, apple and lime flavors in this delicate, silky Riesling. All is well-integrated with the bright
Joh. Jos. Prum Wehlener Sonnenuhr Auslese 2007 1.5L
Wine Spectator 94 "Pungent aromas of slate and flowers give way to peach and lime in this unevolved Riesling. The texture is supersilky, with great harmony
Joh. Jos. Prum Wehlener Sonnenuhr Auslese 2006
Wine Spectator 93 "Aromatic, offering smoke, slate, peach and floral aromas and picking up a lime accent on the palate. Lighter than air, with a silky
Joh. Jos. Prum Wehlener GOLD Sonnenuhr Riesling 2006 375ml
Staff Picks
Joh. Jos. Prum Wehlener Sonnuneur Riesling Auslese Gold Kap 2006 375ml (half bottles) Wine Spectator 93 "A delicious auslese, revealing a fleeting range of lime, slate and
Joh. Jos. Prum Graacher Himmelriech Auslese 2006
Wine Spectator 95 "Aromas of rose, slate and smoke segue into lime and peach flavors in this elegant, stately white. It's crisp and trans-parent, with precise
Joh. Jos. Prum Wehlener Sonnenuhr Spatlese 2006
Wine Spectator 93 "Reduced in aroma, this needs air, yet the purity and silky texture are beautiful. Apricot, lime, slate and vanilla pastry flavors weave throughout