Joh. Jos. Prüm Wehlener Sonnenuhr Kabinett 2019

Joh. Jos. Prüm is one of the Mosel's historic estates, with 14 hectares of Riesling and roots reaching back to the 17th century. The grapes for this Kabinett come from the Wehlener Sonnenuhr and Graacher Himmelreich sites, steep south-facing slopes of weathered blue Devonian slate above the river. The slate stores daytime heat and radiates it back at night, helping the grapes ripen this far north, while the cool climate locks in the high acidity that defines Mosel Riesling. The fruit is picked at Kabinett ripeness and fermented slowly with the estate's own yeasts, which is stopped before all the sugar converts, leaving a low alcohol of 8 percent and a core of delicate residual sweetness. There is no oak. The colour is pale with a green tint. The nose shows green apple, lemon and white peach with a stony, slate-driven edge and a touch of chamomile. On the palate the gentle sweetness is balanced by racy acidity, giving a light, almost weightless feel and a long mineral finish. Serve well chilled at around 8 degrees. The off-dry balance makes it a fine foil for spice.