Wines Mosel Joh. Jos. Prüm - Graacher Himmelreich Spätlese - 2003

Viniou Reviews

The 2003 Joh. Jos. Prüm Graacher Himmelreich Spätlese from the Mosel region is a splendid example of German off-dry Riesling at its finest. This wine is crafted exclusively from Riesling, harvested from the renowned Graacher Himmelreich vineyard, which is celebrated for its slate-rich soils and perfect exposure. The 2003 vintage was marked by a particularly warm and sunny summer, resulting in higher must weights and more luscious, expressive wines. The Spätlese (late harvest) designation indicates selective picking when the grapes have achieved significant ripeness, allowing the resulting wine to balance vivid acidity with pronounced residual sweetness. Vinification is traditional, with fermentation in stainless steel to maintain intense primary fruit character and the distinct minerality typical of the site.

The Mosel is arguably Germany’s most iconic and historical wine region for Riesling. The vineyards hug the steep, south-facing slopes along the Mosel River, which reflects sunlight and supports ripening in this otherwise cool, marginal climate. The blue Devonian slate soils impart a hallmark flinty minerality and a crystalline purity to the wines from Graacher Himmelreich. With centuries of winemaking tradition, producers like Joh. Jos. Prüm are emblematic of the region’s dedication to precision and elegance in their wines, consistently crafting bottlings considered benchmarks for age-worthy Rieslings.

This Spätlese pairs beautifully with dishes that can either complement or contrast its sweet-acidic tension. Classic matches include Thai cuisine with lemongrass or ginger, sushi, and mildly spiced Indian curries where the wine’s sweetness tempers the heat. For a more regional pairing, try it with roast pork and apple or a creamy veal ragout. It is also sublime with blue cheeses such as Roquefort or a fruit-forward dessert like tarte tatin.

For optimal enjoyment, serve this wine chilled at 8-10°C. Decanting is not necessary, but allowing the wine a few minutes in the glass will let its aromatic complexity and minerality unfurl, enhancing your tasting experience.