Graacher Himmelreich Riesling Spätlese, Weingut Joh. Jos. Prüm 2021

Weingut Joh. Jos. Prüm is one of the defining estates of the Middle Mosel, internationally recognised for producing benchmark Riesling from steep blue slate vineyards with exceptional precision and longevity. The family estate has remained closely held for generations and is defined by a deeply traditional, site driven philosophy that prioritises purity, balance and terroir expression over stylistic intervention. Its core vineyards lie around Wehlen, Graach, Bernkastel and Zeltingen, where Devonian slate soils dominate and create ideal conditions for slow, even ripening in a cool continental climate while preserving vibrant natural acidity. Viticulture is extremely selective and labour intensive, with multiple hand harvesting passes to separate fruit by ripeness and botrytis influence. In the cellar, fermentation is spontaneous and exceptionally slow, taking place in traditional large oak Fuder casks with extended lees ageing and minimal intervention to preserve clarity, finesse and aromatic detail.

Graacher Himmelreich Spätlese is sourced from one of the Mosel’s most expressive vineyards, a steep south west facing slope above Graach defined by blue slate soils and a slightly more generous ripening profile than neighbouring sites such as Wehlener Sonnenuhr. The Spätlese level is harvested at a later stage of ripeness than Kabinett, often incorporating a proportion of noble rot affected berries depending on the vintage, which adds aromatic depth, textural richness and layered complexity while retaining the vineyard’s hallmark acidity and precision. Fruit is hand selected in multiple passes to ensure only optimally ripened grapes are included. Fermentation takes place spontaneously in traditional Mosel Fuder casks and proceeds at a very slow pace over many months, a defining feature of the Prüm style that allows residual sugar, acidity and aromatic intensity to integrate seamlessly. The wine is supple yet finely structured, showing ripe peach, apricot and citrus oil alongside honey, white flowers, smoke and finely crushed slate minerality. The palate is generous but balanced, with vibrant acidity carrying the gentle sweetness into a long, saline and mineral driven finish that reflects the elegance and depth of Graacher Himmelreich in its Spätlese form.

Origin Graach, Mosel, Germany

Grapes Riesling

Vintage 2021

Alcohol 8.0%

Style Luscious, precise, mineral sweet white

Bottle size 75cl

Winemaking Selective hand harvest with partial noble rot influence, spontaneous fermentation in traditional Mosel Fuder casks, extremely slow fermentation, extended lees ageing, minimal intervention

Notes Sustainable Viticulture