Weingut Joh. Jos. Prüm : Graacher Himmelreich Spätlese 2020

Tasting characteristics and advice for the Graacher Himmelreich Spätlese 2020 from Weingut Joh. Jos. Prüm

Tasting

Appearance

The wine shows a pale, crystalline yellow hue, bright and luminous.

Nose

The nose reveals remarkable freshness and great aromatic precision. It opens on delicate notes of apple, pear and honeyed yellow peach, accompanied by floral nuances of linden, lilac and violet. A mineral dimension comes through with aromas of salty slate and flint, while hints of pollen, creamy almond and apricot add further complexity. Smoky, lightly aniseed notes complete this refined bouquet.

Palate

On the palate, the wine displays exceptional finesse, with a texture that is both airy and voluptuous. The structure is delicate and finely chiseled, carried by a crystalline acidity that perfectly balances the residual sugar. The palate shows lovely transparency and remarkable lift, with soft, generous fruit that coats the mouth. The very long, promising finish leaves an impression of mineral, saline purity, almost celestial.

Food and wine pairings

This Spätlese is an ideal match for seafood and shellfish, especially oysters, scallops, or lobster with lemon butter. It also pairs beautifully with poultry in a light herb- or citrus-infused sauce, as well as gently spiced Asian dishes such as pad thai or mild curries. Young goat cheeses and soft cheeses also make excellent pairings. For dessert, opt for stone-fruit tarts, especially peach or apricot.

Serving and cellaring

The Graacher Himmelreich Spätlese 2020 can be enjoyed now to appreciate its mineral freshness and vibrant fruit, served at a temperature between 8 and 10°C. However, this wine has exceptional aging potential and can be cellared until around 2070, developing remarkable aromatic complexity and depth over the decades. A few years of cellaring will allow better integration of the initial sweetness with the wine’s acidic and mineral structure.

An exceptionally fine Mosel riesling by Weingut Joh. Jos. Prüm

The estate

Founded in 1911 by Johann Josef Prüm, Weingut Joh. Jos. Prüm now stands as one of the most prestigious estates in Germany. Based in Bernkastel-Wehlen in the Mosel-Saar-Ruwer region, this family-run estate farms around 22 hectares of vines on the finest Mosel slopes. The estate’s international reputation was built under the leadership of Sebastian Prüm in the 1930s and 1940s, who developed the distinctive Prüm style based on reductive winemaking and natural fermentations. Today, the estate is run by Dr. Manfred Prüm, his brother Wolfgang, and Dr. Katharina Prüm, who uphold the family tradition with excellence while embracing a sustainable, environmentally respectful approach. The estate is distinguished by an exceptional 70% of ungrafted vines, preserved thanks to slate soils that are inhospitable to phylloxera.

The vineyard

Graacher Himmelreich is a prestigious vineyard located in the village of Graach, in the Mosel. Its name literally means “Kingdom of Heaven,” reflecting its long-standing reputation. The vineyard stretches across steep, southwest-facing slopes between 110 and 260 meters in altitude, overlooking the village and the river. The soils are made up of moderately deep, weathered Devonian slate, with notable pockets of blue slate and a low clay content. This soil depth, greater than that of other nearby sites, allows for better water retention while maintaining excellent drainage thanks to the schistous structure. The west to southwest exposure provides extended late-day sunshine, while the steep incline and the Mosel’s light reflection create a microclimate conducive to optimal riesling ripening.

The vintage

The 2020 vintage in the Mosel proved particularly favorable. After a mild, wet winter, budbreak occurred in April and flowering in June, both notably early. Summer was warmer than average without the extreme heat spikes of 2019, creating balanced thermal conditions. August was warmer than normal, followed by a summery September. The year 2020 benefited from more sunshine hours than the three previous years. Harvest began exceptionally early on September 17 and ended on October 21, making it one of the earliest harvests ever recorded at the estate. This earliness made it possible to pick grapes that were well developed but not overripe, with moderate sugar levels and fine acidity. The grapes were healthy with minimal disease pressure, and yields were higher than in the 2019 vintage.

Winemaking and aging

The Graacher Himmelreich Spätlese 2020 is vinified according to the estate’s traditional philosophy, favoring a natural, reductive approach. Harvesting is done by hand, berry by berry, through successive passes that select grapes at optimal ripeness for the Spätlese level. Fermentation is carried out exclusively with indigenous yeasts, with no added commercial yeasts, in keeping with the authenticity of the terroir. The reductive winemaking process, which limits oxidation, preserves delicate aromas and gives the wine its exceptional aging potential. Aging takes place in tank, allowing the wine to develop its mineral purity and signature finesse before bottling.

Grape variety

100% riesling