Bernkasteler Lay Riesling Auslese, Weingut Joh. Jos. Prüm 2020

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 and Bernkastel, 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.

Bernkasteler Lay Auslese is sourced from the steep slate slopes above Bernkastel, one of the Mosel’s classic vineyard sites, where blue and grey Devonian slate dominates and reflects heat back into the canopy during the day while maintaining freshness through the cool nights. The Auslese level is harvested at a later stage of ripeness than Spätlese, typically including a proportion of noble rot affected berries depending on the vintage, which adds aromatic depth, sweetness and layered complexity while retaining the vineyard’s naturally vibrant acidity. Fruit is hand selected in multiple passes to ensure only perfectly developed grapes are included. Fermentation takes place spontaneously in traditional Mosel Fuder casks and proceeds at an exceptionally slow pace over many months, a defining characteristic of the Prüm style that allows residual sugar, acidity and aromatic intensity to integrate seamlessly. The wine is richly textured yet finely poised, showing ripe apricot, peach and candied citrus alongside honey, white flowers, smoke and crushed slate minerality. The palate is generous but precise, with a vivid interplay between opulent sweetness and electric acidity, leading to a long, saline mineral finish that reflects the structured elegance of Bernkasteler Lay in its Auslese form.

Origin Bernkastel, Mosel, Germany

Grapes Riesling

Vintage 2020

Alcohol 7.5%

Style Rich, 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