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Joh. Jos. Prum Spatlese: Vintages 2006 to 2009


1. Joh. Jos. Prum Wehlener Sonnenuhr Riesling Spatlese 2007

92 points; Wine Spectator writes, ‘Floral and smoke aromas give way to peach, apple and lime flavors in this delicate, silky Riesling. All is well-integrated with the bright structure and lingers lazily on the long, mineral-tinged finish. Drink now through 2024.

91 points; Robert Parker's Wine Advocate writes, ‘The Prum 2007 Wehlener Sonnenuhr Riesling Kabinett displays the classic fresh apple, apple blossom, and vanilla of the site. Crushed stone and the bitter side of the vanilla bean help temper the sweetness here. This shows alluring creaminess along with refined delicacy, finishing long on fresh apple, sweet floral perfume, and wet stone along with hints of anise and vanilla. “This is Kabinett the way we imagine it,” remarks Katharina Prum, although hardly surprisingly, the estate’s quantities at this Pradikat level are smaller than are those at Spatlese grade. And I would add that it is unlikely very many vintages of this iconic Mosel will age more expressively or successfully than the one under consideration here.

2. Joh. Jos. Prum Bernkasteler Badstube Riesling Spatlese 2008

Extremely bright in aroma as well as palate impression, the Prums’ 2008 Bernkasteler Badstube Riesling Kabinett is dominated by lemon and grapefruit, with village typical cherry and cassis manifesting themselves as an invigorating chew of fruit skin that is delightfully complimented by estate-typical impingement of CO2. Lush yet light, this finishes with not only blazing brightness but a cress-like pungency and strikingly intense salinity and suggestions of wet stone, making your palate stand to attention, wide awake! Plan on following it for a couple of decades, although, unlike many Joh. Jos. Prum wines, I find it (and many of the estate’s 2008s) downright irresistible already.

3. Joh. Jos. Prum Bernkasteler Badstube Riesling Spatlese 2009

91 Points ; Sweet without leaving you parched. Refreshing and crisp while feeling like a delectable treat.Not yet rated, the 2008 version of this wine got 91 points from Parker's Wine Advocate, which had this to say: "Extremely bright in aroma as well as palate impression, the Prums’ 2008 Bernkasteler Badstube Riesling Kabinett is dominated by lemon and grapefruit, with village typical cherry and cassis manifesting themselves as an invigorating chew of fruit skin that is delightfully complimented by estate-typical impingement of CO2. Lush yet light, this finishes with not only blazing brightness but a cress-like pungency and strikingly intense salinity and suggestions of wet stone, making your palate stand to attention, wide awake! Plan on following it for a couple of decades, although, unlike many Joh. Jos. Prum wines, I find it (and many of the estate’s 2008s) downright irresistible already."

4. Joh. Jos. Prum Wehlener Sonnenuhr Riesling Spatlese 2008

93+ points; The Wine Advocate writes, ‘The Prum 2008 Wehlener Sonnenuhr Spatlese – as with the corresponding Kabinett – is aromatically more marked by the residues of fermentation than are its immediate siblings. Hints of mango, quince, and musk added to the more predictable apple, vanilla, and liquid floral perfume and lend this an exotic touch, while its mineral side is dominated by striking salinity that enhances the savory stimulation of a long finish as well as offering a fascinating foil to the wine’s creaminess of texture and sheer ripeness. And while the nose needs to clear up here, the palate displays a remarkable sense of clarity to a wealth of flowers and spices. The wine seems to coat the palate while hovering above it, to seduce without touching. This should put on quite a show over the next 30 or more years.

5. Joh. Jos. Prum Wehlener Sonnenuhr Riesling Spatlese 2008

A pale hue, tinged with green. Rather an intense, mealy nose which is very attractive, with some very obvious pure lime fruit and notes of pickling spice and passion fruit. The palate has some finely delineated acidity and a mealy depth following on from the nose. Through the mid-palate it has a full, pervasive, very broad style leading to a flattering, rather seductive finish. 92 points Robert Parker's Wine Advocate writes, ‘Bearing a strong family resemblance to the corresponding Kabinett, the Prum 2007 Bernkasteler Badstube Riesling Spatlese is redolent of cherry, pear, lime, and mint; is satiny yet refreshing; palate-saturating yet almost weightless; and finishes with infectious fruit intensity, pungently zesty citricity, and mysterious peaty, saline, savory, faintly animal nuances. Like the other Spatlese bottlings in this collection, this should perform admirably for at least a quarter century.

6. Joh. Jos. Prum Zeltinger Sonnenhur Spatlese 2007

96 Jeanne Cho Lee writes, ‘A concentrated, well-structured wine with mineral flavors and a ripe acidity. Its fruity flavors are less dominant because of a rather low residual sugar. Alc. 8.5% Very intense late harvest Riesling with well integrated sweetness and ripe nectarine and peach notes. The finish is floral and delicate. This wine has the depth and layers of a great Mosel Riesling with decades of aging potential. Very long finish. Maturity: Young.’

7. Joh. Jos. Prum Graacher Himmelreich Riesling Spatlese 2006

Very light and clear yellow. In the nose, this was very clean and pure with only hints of botrytis, but much less than so many other 2006s. Peach skin, ripe apricot, white flowers, quite uplifting. In the mouth, it wasn't as racy as other vintages of this wine, but very well balanced.Off dry, linear acidity, still good structure and good grip in the finish. Pomegranate and ripe peaches along with that typical diesel, tarry finish. Delicious. The 2006 is just getting going now. A great wine from a good vintage. Loosing some of the intensity of its youth and now showing ripe tropical fruit, particularly pineapples. Enjoyed with Strawberries and icecream. Piercing acidity and soft, rich fruit.

8. Joh. Jos. Prum Wehlener Sonnenuhr Riesling Auslese 1999

91Points; Wine Spectator writes, ‘A touch of matchstick aroma, yet underneath lies concentrated peach, lime and slate on a firm, silky texture. Give it time.’

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