J. J. Prüm - Wehlener Sonnenuhr Riesling Auslese Goldkapsel 1985, Mosel, Germany

Introduction: The icon of the Mosel in its golden era

On the Moselle, the name J. J. Prüm is synonymous with timeless class, unrivalled longevity and a unique, delicate style. Wehlener Sonnenuhr, on the other hand, is one of the world's absolute great Riesling sites. An Auslese with a gold capfrom the 1985 vintagefrom this combination represents the Holy Grail for many Riesling lovers. The 1980s were a golden age for Prüm, and 1985 is considered one of the great, classic vintages of the decade. This bottle thus embodies the essence of what makes a great, old Mosel Riesling: floating elegance, crystalline acidity and a complex sweetness that develops over decades.

Sensory description (with perfect storage)

After almost 40 years of ageing in the bottle, this Auslese has completely shed its youthful shyness and transformed into a wine of beguiling, fully mature complexity. It is not a heavy, but an ethereal sweet wine.

Colour

• A radiant, medium golden yellow with intense greenish-golden reflections. The colour is vibrant and clear, with no signs of over-ripeness or fatigue.

Nose

The bouquet is intense, multi-layered and an irresistible blend of ripe fruit, noble botrytis notes and typical Prüm minerality.

• Ripe, concentrated fruit: Apricot jam, mirabelle plum purée, preserved lemon, dried pineapple slices, honeydew melon.

• Pronounced notes of ripeness and petrol: The classic petrol note is clearly and elegantly present, accompanied by beeswax, honeycomb, toasted almonds and a delicate floral underlay (acacia, lime blossom).

• Mineral brilliance: The cool, slatey minerality of the sundial shines through as a smoky, salty undertone.

• Harmony: Everything is wonderfully interwoven - the sweetness is fragrant, the acidity lends freshness to the nose, the minerality gives depth.

Palate

The palate confirms the image of a perfect, feather-light and yet enormously present wine.

• Texture: Delicate, silky and with a floating lightness. The residual sweetness is fully integrated into the texture and acts as a smooth, warming fullness, not as an intrusive sweetness.

• Acidity: Brilliant, electric and the real backbone, it is the secret of the Moselle and of Prüm in particular. It carries the sweet wine with elasticity, gives it its breathtaking tension, salty freshness and guarantees its lasting vitality and length.

• Flavour: A perfect continuation of the nose: ripe apricot, honey, petrol, smoky slate and a spicy component merge into a harmonious whole.

• Finish: Legendarily long, clean and salty. The finish is dominated by mineral coolness, honey, petrol and a refreshing citrus bitterness. It leaves an invigorating, clean impression and immediately invites you to take another sip.

Vintage & terroir

1985 vintage on the Moselle

• An outstanding, classic and acid-accentuated vintage, it followed the great 1983s and was in turn overshadowed by the spectacular 1988, but is considered by connoisseurs to be one of the most balanced and long-lived of the era. The wines are characterised by clear fruit, perfect acidity structure and ideal ageing potential.

Wehlener Sonnenuhr site

• This steep south-facing site with its blue Devonian slate is one of the warmest and most famous on the Moselle. It produces Rieslings of great finesse, intense mineral character (smoky, salty) and an unrivalled, fragrant fruitiness.

• In the hands of J. J. Prüm, this fruit never becomes opulent, but always remains characterised by cool elegance and acidity.

The signature of J. J. Prüm

• Traditional, purist approach: longest maturation on the vine, gentle vinification, long fermentation and maturation in large old barrels, late bottling.

• Gold capsule: Characterises the absolute best barrel selection of the vintage - more concentration, complexity and potential.

• The result is wines with transparent minerality, nervous tension and almost unlimited ageing potential.

Drinking maturity & ageing potential

Current drinking maturity

The wine has reachedits optimum drinking window for at least 15-20 yearsand is on a plateau of great complexity and harmony. It is a perfect example of a fully mature Prüm Riesling.

Development potential

• Peak: Now. No further improvement is to be expected.

• Shelf life: With perfect cellaring, it can remain in this condition for another 10-15 years, but will then slowly lose its freshness and fruit intensity.

Rating & recommendations

Rating (for an intact bottle): 96-98/100 points

A Riesling of timeless beauty and absolute reference class. It epitomises the perfect harmony between sweetness, acidity and minerality for which J. J. Prüm and the Wehlener Sonnenuhr are famous.

Recommendations for enjoyment

1. Decanting: Not necessary and not recommended. Pour gently and enjoy in the glass, where the wine can open up slowly.

2. Serving temperature: 8-10°C. The coolness preserves its lively acidity and freshness.

3. Glass: A large, tulip-shaped white wine glass.

4. Food pairing: This wine is a perfect aperitif and accompaniment to fine, non-dominant dishes:

   • Fresh oysters or scallops.

   • Grilled fish (pikeperch, trout).

   • Asparagus (white or green).

   • Light poultry dishes.

   • Blue cheese (Roquefort) or cream cheese.

   • Simply pure, as a meditation.

Conclusion

The J. J. Prüm Wehlener Sonnenuhr Auslese Goldkapsel 1985 is a revelation of the art of Mosel wine. It is proof that great sweet wines are not heavy, but can be of floating elegance; that acidity is not the antagonist, but the soul of sweetness. This wine offers an unforgettable sensory journey that, after almost 40 years, is still characterised by youthful tension and infinite complexity. Opening such a bottle is not an everyday pleasure, but a privileged experience for every connoisseur - a taste of timeless, unrivalled class. An absolute legend.