Product Description:
An Auslese built to last, now in magnum. The 2023 Joh. Jos. Prüm Graacher Himmelreich Riesling Auslese (1.5L) offers a masterclass in restrained botrytis richness and electric minerality. From a vineyard just south of the famous Wehlener Sonnenuhr, Graacher Himmelreich is no supporting act. Its deeper soils and slightly more westerly exposure make it a powerhouse site—particularly in warm years—delivering wines with both punch and poise.
This Auslese pulses with vibrant acidity, fresh mint and chamomile, showing concentration and drive without losing the hallmark delicacy of the Mosel. The larger format only strengthens its cellaring potential—this bottle will reward patience for decades.
Perfect alongside game birds, miso-glazed fish, hard cheeses, or richer Japanese cuisine. Or cellar it and revisit the story in 2043.
The Maker
The Prüm family story in the Mosel dates back to 1156, beginning with was Johann Josef Prüm (1873 - 1944) who founded the estate in 1911. By the mid-1930s Johann Josef’s son, Sebastian, forged the distinctive style of the Prüm wines. From 1969, the imitable Dr Manfred Prüm would elevate Joh. Jos. Prüm to even greater heights, today the estate is run by Manfred’s daughter Katharina Prüm who watches over 13.5 hectares of vines on the harrowing slate-rich slopes of the Middle Mosel. In The Wines of Germany, Stephen Brook writes “With the rise of so many excellent winemakers in the Mosel, one might have supposed that Joh. Jos. Prüm, with its profound conservatism, might have been overtaken and left behind. Not a bit of it. The Estate remains where it has been for decades: at the summit.” Which begs the question, what is the secret to J.J. Prüm's continued success? How do they stand out among top Mosel producers? It’s all about their exceptional vineyards: old vines at great sites, keeping the lowest yields, daring but calculated late harvesting, and a careful selection of the finest berries.
Joh. Jos. Prüm's vineyards are at forefront of the estate's success. Their holdings include vineyards - Wehlener Sonnenuhr, Graacher Himmelreich, Bernkasteler Lay, Bernkasteler Badstube and Zeltinger Sonnenuhr. All of these sites are exclusively dedicated to growing and harvesting Riesling grapes for Joh. Jos. Depending on the specific vintage, the average annual production of wine is typically between 10,000 to 13,000 cases.
The Vineyard
Prum’s four key vineyards are all located on the same continuous slope, all on a mixture of grey and blue Devonian slate soils with varying south-to-south westerly aspects. Positioned in the heart of Mosel the vineyards are named from south to north: Bernkasteler Badstube, Graacher Himmelreich, Wehlener Sonnenuhr, and Zeltinger Sonnenuhr. These vineyards have been in continuous production for some 2000 years.
The major differences between the sites have to do with the variation in the aspect (from south to southwest) and the steepness and the depth of the soil. These are subtle differences, but make for wonderfully distinctive wines. Of course all the vineyards of J.J. Prüm are renowned, but the majestic Wehlener Sonnenuhr vineyard that is the most famous. The revered site lies opposite the village of Wehlen and the Estate owns seven hectares—largely planted to ungrafted wines—which has very thin topsoil over Devonian slate (in some areas of the vineyard the plants grow out of pure rock!). Wehlener Sonnenuhr has the highest pure stone content of all the Prüm vineyards, and along with neighbouring Zeltinger, the steepest of Prüm’s vineyards—with a dizzying 65-70% gradient in places. Wine writer Stuart Pigott summarises perfectly, “In top vintages the Wehlener Sonnenuhr yields the richest, silkiest, most seductive wines on the Mosel. The fame of these Rieslings is inextricably linked with that of the Joh Jos Prüm estate.”
Tasting Notes
NOSE
– Bright and herbal
Fresh chamomile, mint, and orchard fruit with hints of honeyed botrytis.
PALATE
– Concentrated and filigreed
Juicy and medium-bodied, showing crystalline balance between sweetness and acidity.
FINISH
– Long and poised
A marathon finish—pure, mineral-driven, and endlessly fresh.
Reviews & Accolades
“This youthful Mosel riesling Auslese has a vibrancy and precision that is often missing in these wines, blanketed by thick botrytis richness... Incredible precision and subtlety in the super-long finish. Drinkable now, but best from 2026.” – James Suckling, jamessuckling.com, 97 points
“The 2023 Graacher Himmelreich Auslese is very clear and precise … mango and other tropical as well as ripe peach aromas. Savory and crystalline on the palate … fineness, juiciness, grip, salivating salinity. The finish is long, playful and irresistible.” – Stephan Reinhardt, Robert Parker’s Wine Advocate, 96 points
“Offers Mirabelle jelly with overtones of lemon balm and fern, wonderfully cut by freshness … a finish like yellow‑plum sorbet—fresh, palate‑cleansing, yet sweet. Incredibly fine, slender and so balanced.” – Anne Krebiehl MW, Vinous, 96 points
“Petrol and crushed slate lay the foundation … green apple and meadow blossoms. Bitter mineral elements add contrast; silky palate with depth and finely beaded acidity. A pristine, pure style, with real delicacy. Drink now through 2046.” – K.B., Wine Spectator, 93 points
Finer Details:
Style - White Wine
Varietal - Riesling
Country - Germany
Region - Mosel
Vintage - 2023
Bottle Size - 1.5L
ABV - 8%
Closure - Cork
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