JJ Prum Wehlener Sonnenuhr Kabinett 2007/2009 and JJ Prum Wehlener Sonnenuhr Spätlese 2007
We always love JJ Prum Wehlener Sonnenuhr(pronounced like VAY-len-er ZON-en-ooer) Kabinett and Spätlese. This Wehlener Sonnenuhr vineyard/area is the most famous one in the JJ PRum properties. It has very light soil and the purest blue slate of any Mosel vineyard. Really 'Sonnenuhr' literally means ‘sundial, and so it is a warm site. Exposure is South - Southwest, with a gradient up to 70%. Vines are over 80 years old.
To us, The JJ Prum Wehlener Sonnenuhr Riesling, at this humble Kabinett level, has certain fresh fruitiness that surpasses some of the branded Spätlese Riesling. On the other hand the JJ Prum Wehlener Sonnenuhr Riesling has an almost indescribable ripeness that challenges some of the good Auslesses! While the palate for both wines is light and delicate as other Mosel Rieslings, it is that special floral element that distinguishes these 2 wines from the rest. Oh, that stunning freshness and utter Mosel lightness of the greatest of these wines, most Riesling lovers will say. To us it is that lightness of being, almost unbearable (borrow from Milan Kundera), that gets us blissful to move on and on, as if the world has stopped. Ever since our first day with wine, we have never seen an empty bottle from JJ Prum Wehlener Sonnenuhr Kabinett and Spätlese.
2007 and 2008 are reasonably good years. With grapes in really good and hands, Who cares about vintage?
JJ Prum 2007 Wehlener Sonnenuhr Riesling Kabinett displays the classic fresh apple, apple blossom, vanilla with hints of apricot, peach and grapefruit. Very floral. Some complexities. It is a baby, dancing. WS92.
JJ Prum 2009 Wehlener Sonnenuhr Riesling Kabinett has similar nose and palate characters of 2007, but it is leaner on the nose, with more pungent polyurethane. Rounder on the palate with more sweetness. Very lovely to drink now. WS92.
JJ Prum 2007 Wehlener Sonnenuhr Riesling Spätlese(literally late harvest) as rightly put by Wine Spectator is rich and bright, offering a nice backdrop for its peach, nectarine and slate flavors. Though juicy and defined, this lingers on the finish, with a citrus and mineral aftertaste. Young also like a baby. Jeannie Cho-Lee 96, W+S95, WS93, WE92.
