The timing of this offer is quite coincidental, as I was at the Prum estate only two weeks ago (mid-June). For me, it was my first visit to the Mosel, whereas for dad, it was his third visit to Prum (one of his favourite wine producers in the whole world). My photos throughout this offer.
We arrived in Wehlen around 10am Monday and Marvin (head viticulturist) took us on some vineyard visits straight-away, visiting Wehlener Sonnenuhr, Graacher Himmelreich and Zeltinger Sonnenuhr. The summer sun made it all the more glorious.
Carine then took us on an extensive tasting of the new 2023s, alongside some back-vintage wines for comparison. The 23s are excellent and stylistically seem to sit somewhere between the linear and high acid 21s (quite a cool vintage) and the more exuberant 22s (a vintage that was hot but moreso dry).
Then Katharina and husband Wilhelm joined us for a fantastic lunch cooked by themselves and the team, accompanied by a pair of special older bottles.
A special visit for me personally, having drunk plenty of these wines with dad over the past 15+ years. And for mum and dad, a great return to Katharina Prum and family who are considered good friends.
In terms of the wines themselves, some comments from me here. In 2023, the Spatlese wines are the sweet-spot for me personally, although the intensity of the auslese wines must be marvelled at… What was very apparent was the way each site translated with such transparency into the glass (across kabinett, spätlese and auslese pradikat levels). Having now visited the vineyard sites, the wines make great sense: Wehlenner Sonnenuhr, for example, is the warmest site, which explains the palate weight and stone fruit flavours you see in wines from this site. However it is also the site with the thinnest layer of top soil before you hit blue slate, so again, the minerality of this wine is explained. In the Graacher wines I tend to see more orange citrus flavours (crushed orange and mandarin zest) while the wines of Bernkasteler Badstube are a touch plumper, softer and rounder – perhaps the most immediately approachable. What was also very clear is the versatility of the wines. Right up to the Auslese level, these wines do not finish sweet in the mouth. Their finesse and mouth-watering acidity is what is apparent moreso than their level of sweetness. Keep in mind too that Prum do not use any botrytis fruit for their Auslese wines (only for the Goldkapsel wines and the beerenauslese and trockenbeerenauslese wines). I find the wines very suitable for a raft of savoury foods, as well as more typical seafood dishes and courses with Asian spices. Finally, the longevity of these wines is staggering. I’d suggest allocating some to be drunk young and some to be buried deep in the cellar for years to come.
I’ll be buying these 2023s for myself for sure, and I’d encourage you to do the same! – Ches Cook, Five Way Cellars.
Below are a few of our favourites from the offer.
2023 JJ Prum Wehlener Sonnenuhr Kabinett 750ml
The 2023 Wehlener Sonnenuhr Kabinett is deep, pure, fresh and slatey on the precise, coolish and also floral nose. Mouth-filling, rich and dense on the palate, this is a round and juicy, very mineral, stimulating, savory and saline wine with fine, stimulating grip and an aromatic, well-structured and relatively dry finish. This is excellent and stylish in its terroir expression. 8.5% stated alcohol. Natural cork. Tasted at the domaine in January 2025. 94 points, drink 2030-2065, Stephan Reinhardt, The Wine Advocate.
2023 JJ Prum Graacher Himmelreich Spatlese 750ml
The 2023 Graacher Himmelreich Spätlese is very intense and open on the complex and saline nose that is reminiscent of crushed slate rocks as well as ripe and intense, dense citrus fruit intermingled with lemon aromas. Round and refined on the palate, this is a lively and savory Riesling with a firm, mineral structure and floral flavors on the complex and youthful finish. This is a Spätlese to be aged for at least 5+ years. 8% stated alcohol. Natural cork. Tasted at the domaine from AP 07 24 in January 2025. 95 points, drink 2025-2070, Stephan Reinhardt, The Wine Advocate.
2023 JJ Prum Wehlener Sonnenuhr Spatlese 750ml
“The 2023 Riesling Wehlener Sonnenuhr Spätlese opens with a serene, stony, salty slaty breeze. The palate is exquisitely fine and very bright, luminous even, soaring upward as it reaches down into the slate, embodying the total elegance of the site. Slenderness and serenity are exemplary.” 96 points, Anne Krebiehl MW, Vinous
2023 JJ Prum Wehlener Sonnenuhr Auslese 750ml
Intense tropical fruit aromas such as fully ripe mangoes but also baby pineapples open the 2023 Wehlener Sonnenuhr Auslese that reveals a savory slate spice. On the palate, this is a rich yet savory and persistently saline, juicy and structured Auslese with a long and still mouth-filling finish. 8% stated alcohol. Natural cork. Tasted at the domaine from AP 12 24 in January 2025. 96 points, drink 2030-2075, Stephan Reinhardt, The Wine Advocate.
2023 JJ Prum Graacher Himmelreich Auslese 2023
The 2023 Graacher Himmelreich Auslese is very clear and precise on the elegant and delicate nose that reveals mango and other tropical as well as ripe peach aromas. Savory and crystalline on the palate, this Himmelreich Auslese is highly stimulating in all its finessed juiciness, grip and salivating salinity. The finish is long, playful and irresistible. 8% stated alcohol. Natural cork. Tasted at the domaine from AP 11 24 in January 2025. 96 points, drink 2026-2075, Stephan Reinhardt, The Wine Advocate.