Joh Jos Prüm Graacher Himmelreich Riesling Spatlese 2022

Region and Vineyards

This Riesling hails from the Graacher Himmelreich vineyard in the Mosel appellation, renowned for producing wines with exceptional purity and longevity. The vineyard, whose name translates to “Kingdom of Heaven in the Village of Graach,” faces westward and features gently sloping, grey slate soils. These soils are deeper and slightly less steep than nearby sites like Wehlener Sonnenuhr, which allows them to retain moisture more effectively. This unique terroir, coupled with the cool climate of Mosel, contributes to a vibrant acidity, pronounced minerality, and balanced ripeness in the grapes.

The 2015 vintage experienced a mild winter followed by fluctuating temperatures in spring and early summer, including significant rainfall and a hot spell. Cooler weather arrived in September, which prevented rot and preserved the quality of the grapes. October’s dry and cool conditions provided ideal ripening and harvest conditions, resulting in Rieslings with both ripeness and structure, well-suited for aging.

Winemaking

The Joh. Jos. Prüm Graacher Himmelreich Riesling Spätlese 2015 is made from 100% Riesling, harvested at optimal ripeness. This wine is primarily fermented in stainless steel tanks using wild yeasts, which preserves the natural acidity and enhances the aromatic complexity of the Riesling. The stainless steel fermentation ensures that the wine retains its freshness, while the choice to avoid oak allows the terroir to shine through without interference. The result is a Riesling with a pure expression of fruit, delicate minerality, and a soft, balanced sweetness.

Tasting Notes

• Color: Pale yellow with a greenish tint, showing youthful vibrancy.
• Aroma: Intense notes of ripe stone fruits such as peach and apricot, with underlying hints of citrus zest and floral undertones.
• Palate: Medium-bodied with a fine balance of sweetness and acidity, complemented by a smooth, mineral-laden texture. The wine displays flavors of fresh orchard fruits, delicate minerality, and a long, refreshing finish.

Did You Know?

The Graacher Himmelreich vineyard is one of the Mosel Valley’s most cherished sites, with a history of producing high-quality Rieslings that can age gracefully for decades. The unique soil composition and cool climate provide an ideal environment for developing Rieslings with both elegance and structure.

Wine Pairing Ideas

• Spicy Thai or Indian curry: The wine’s sweetness and acidity balance the heat and complexity of spicy dishes.
• Roquefort or aged Gouda: Complements the wine’s sweetness and enhances its fruity notes.
• Pork with apple sauce: Highlights the stone fruit flavors and adds a touch of freshness to the pairing.
• Apple tart or fruit-based dessert: Complements the wine’s natural sweetness and fruitiness.

Manfred is certainly one of the world's more eccentric wine producers and a tasting in his drawing room with him is always enjoyable and entertaining.

In the Sonnenuhr of Wehlen he owns a portion of one of the Mittel Mosel's top vineyards. Its steep south-facing dark slate slopes tend to result in deeply flavoured, mineral yet rich and smoky wines.

In addition, he manipulates some plots in the next door Himmelreich of Graacher which produces engaging wines with fresh acidities that are slightly softer and earlier maturing.

These are unashamedly classic, exciting and long-lived wines produced predominantly in stainless tanks to avoid the addition of too much sulphur, though a small proportion of wooden casks are retained, however, depending on the vintage.

They are bottled later than most Mosel and often take a few years in bottle before showing the true character, but patience will be rewarded!