[ Home > Wines > German Wines > Auslese Wines > Auslese Wines > JJ Prum Wehlener Sonnenuhr Riesling Auslese 375ml 2007 ]
Very favorable weather conditions until August fostered the development of the grapes in 1997. Those vintners who managed to harvest selectively were rewarded with clean grape material, good for brilliant Kabinett and Spätlese wines. Upon these roots Joh. Jos. Prüm founded the eponymous estate in 1911, which now encompasses 35 acres of vineyards. The great majority of them lie in the famous sites of Wehlener Sonnenuhr, Graacher Himmelreich, Bernkasteler Badstube and Zeltinger Sonnenuhr. The slate soil and mild climate of these sun-drenched slopes offer the Riesling vine perfect growing conditions. Manfred Prüm, like his father Sebastian and his grandfather Joh. Jos., believes that the advantages of these vineyards outweigh the difficulty of cultivating them caused by their extreme steepness. He is a strong advocate of the tradition which holds that making high quality wines depends upon harvesting excellent quality grapes. After a long, continuous vegetation period he selectively harvests the grapes as late as weather conditions allow. The estate’s cautious style of winemaking results in wines which need longer than usual for their early development, but possess outstanding aging potential (see Jancis Robinson’s “Vintage Timecharts”!). In spite of their low alcoholic content these refreshing and delicate wines are remarkably vivid and richly fruity The 1997 Wehlener Sonnenuhr Riesling Auslese is a typical example for this vintage, an unusual combination of very high ripeness levels and a ripe, delicate acidity at the same time. This combination makes these wines very age-worthy with a long lingering after-taste. Very age-worthy wines. Wow. This '97 auslese almost overpowers the sensory receptors with its succulent, pure aromas and flavors of peach, apple and slate, rapierlike acidity and brilliant clarity. But it's never too much, as it remains balanced and harmonious all the way through. Drink now through 2010. Rated: 93 by Wine Spectator 18 out of 20 Underground Wine Journal |
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