2024 Joh. Jos. Prüm Wehlener Sonnenuhr Riesling Spatlese

The 2024 Joh. Jos. Prüm Wehlener Sonnenuhr Riesling Spätlese is a classic expression of one of the Mosel’s most legendary vineyards, crafted by one of Germany’s most revered estates. This is a benchmark off-dry Riesling: elegant, finely etched and built for both immediate pleasure and long-term cellaring. Sourced from the steep blue-slate slopes of the famed Wehlener Sonnenuhr, it marries filigree delicacy with remarkable depth and precision. What sets this wine apart is its unique combination of low alcohol, vibrant acidity, and pure, slate-driven minerality that only this site and producer can consistently deliver. Joh. Jos. Prüm has been synonymous with great Mosel Riesling for generations, and their Wehlener Sonnenuhr Spätlese is a reference point for collectors and sommeliers worldwide. The vineyard’s historic sundial, dating back to the 19th century, has long served as a symbol of ripeness and quality in the Mosel, and this wine continues that tradition in every vintage.

Tasting Notes
In the glass, the 2024 Wehlener Sonnenuhr Riesling Spätlese is pale straw to light lemon in color, with greenish reflections that hint at its youth and freshness. The clarity is brilliant, and gentle swirling reveals a fine, elegant texture. On the nose, expect a lifted, pure bouquet of white peach, green apple, and ripe pear, layered with notes of lime zest, jasmine, and elderflower. Underneath the fruit lies a distinct Mosel minerality—wet slate, crushed rock, and a whisper of smoke—along with hints of fresh herbs and a touch of honeycomb that suggests subtle sweetness without heaviness. The palate is light to medium-bodied, impeccably balanced between succulent fruit and racy acidity. Flavors of juicy stone fruit, citrus, and crunchy green apple are interwoven with that unmistakable slate-driven backbone, offering both charm and precision. A gently off-dry profile provides a delicate sweetness that’s quickly countered by vibrant, mouthwatering acidity, creating a long, dancing finish with notes of lime, white flowers, and mineral spice. Even in its youth, the wine shows impressive structure and focus. Aging potential is excellent: while already enjoyable in its first few years for its youthful fruit and energy, this Spätlese will develop beautifully over 10–20 years or more in a good cellar. With time, expect more complexity—petrol nuances, dried apricot, candied citrus peel, and deeper honeyed tones—while the acidity and minerality keep the wine lively and precise.

Production
Wehlener Sonnenuhr is one of the Mosel’s most iconic steep-slope vineyards, perched above the village of Wehlen on the banks of the Mosel River. The vines cling to vertiginous slopes of weathered blue slate, which absorb and radiate heat, helping Riesling achieve optimal ripeness while retaining its hallmark acidity. The river’s reflective surface and the vineyard’s perfect south–southwest exposure further enhance ripening, while cool nights preserve freshness and aromatic intensity. Joh. Jos. Prüm relies on meticulous, selective hand-harvesting, often carried out in multiple passes through the vineyard to pick only perfectly ripe and, where desired, lightly botrytised berries at Spätlese ripeness levels. The grapes are gently pressed to preserve finesse and purity. Fermentation traditionally takes place with ambient yeasts in stainless steel or old, neutral large-format German oak (Fuder) at cool temperatures, allowing a slow, controlled ferment that protects delicate aromatics. Malolactic fermentation is typically avoided to maintain bracing acidity. The wine then rests on its fine lees, gaining texture and nuance before being bottled with modest residual sugar, in a style that highlights clarity, balance and age-worthiness rather than power.

Food & Serving
This Wehlener Sonnenuhr Riesling Spätlese is wonderfully versatile at the table, thanks to its interplay of sweetness, acidity, and minerality. It’s a superb match for spicy and aromatic cuisines—think Thai or Vietnamese dishes with chili, lime, and lemongrass, or lightly spiced Indian curries. It also shines alongside dishes like sushi and sashimi, ceviche, or delicately prepared white fish, where its precision and freshness accentuate the flavors without overpowering them. Classic German pairings include roast pork with crackling, duck, or goose, especially with fruit accents such as apple or apricot, as well as soft cheeses like young goat cheese or mild blue cheeses. Serve chilled, ideally around 8–10°C (46–50°F), to showcase its tension and aromatic complexity. In its youth, a brief 15–20 minutes in the glass is usually enough to let it open up, but for more structured bottles or as it gains age, a gentle decant of about 30 minutes can help the wine reveal additional layers of fruit, florals, and minerality.

Producer
Joh. Jos. Prüm is one of Germany’s most prestigious and influential Riesling producers, based in the village of Wehlen in the Mosel. Founded in 1911 by Johann Josef Prüm, the estate’s roots in viticulture stretch back to the 17th century, and today it is internationally recognized as a benchmark for finely wrought, age-worthy Mosel Rieslings. The winery’s reputation rests largely on its holdings in top sites such as Wehlener Sonnenuhr and Graacher Himmelreich, where old vines and exceptional terroir meet meticulous, low-intervention winemaking. Over the decades, Joh. Jos. Prüm has played a central role in defining the classic Mosel style: wines of low alcohol, crystal-clear fruit, pronounced slate minerality, and extraordinary longevity. Consistently earning top scores and critical acclaim, the estate’s Spätlese and Auslese bottlings are sought after by collectors worldwide and frequently appear on serious wine lists. As a standard-bearer for the region, JJ Prüm has helped cement the Mosel’s reputation as one of the world’s great sources of fine white wine.

We deliver within 2 - 6 business days. You can choose whether it should be to a parcel shop or home delivery. Free delivery to both parcel shops and your front door. Our store partners primarily use GLS, DPD, UPS and DHL for deliveries. We cover deliveries to the majority of countries in Europe.