J. J. Prüm - Graacher Himmelreich Riesling Eiswein Goldkapsel 2002

Report: J. J. Prüm - Graacher Himmelreich Riesling Eiswein Goldkapsel 2002

1st Winery & Site:

• Weingut J. J. Prüm:World-famous, traditional family winery on the Middle Moselle (Bernkastel-Wehlen). Synonymous with the highest Riesling quality, elegance and longevity. Known for filigree, mineral and extremely storable wines.

• Graacher Himmelreich site:One of the large, south-south-west facing steep Moselle slopes. Known for deep, finely structured wines with a characteristic interplay of fruit (often ripe stone fruit, citrus), minerality (slatey, cool) and lively acidity. The stony, Devonian slate soils decisively characterise the wine.

2nd wine: Eiswein Goldkapsel 2002

• Label: Ice wine (Beerenauslese quality, but obtained by freezing the berries).

• Gold capsule: The traditional predicate symbol of J. J. Prüm for the barrels or bottles with the highest Auslese qualitywithin a site and a vintage. Signals an exceptional selection of particularly concentrated and noble rotten grapes.

• Vintage 2002: An outstanding year for Spätlese, Auslese and especially ice wineson the Moselle. A long, warm autumn with optimal conditions for the development of noble rot (Botrytis cinerea) and late harvest dates. The necessary frost for the ice wine harvest occurred early and intensively enough (at least -7°C required) to harvest highly concentrated, healthy grapes.

3. production & speciality:

• Ice wine:The grapes were harvested when frozen (December 2002 or January 2003) and pressed immediately. The water in the berries remains as ice in the press and only the highly concentrated, sugar-sweet, flavour-intensive juice is extracted. This leads to extremely low yields.

• Spontaneous fermentation:Typical for Prüm, fermentation takes place with natural yeasts in steel tanks. It often takes many months for such sugar-concentrated musts and stops naturally when the yeasts can no longer tolerate the high sugar concentration and the resulting alcohol (residual sugar remains high).

4 Sensory profile (based on typical characteristics and reports):

• Colour: Intense gold to amber.

• Nose:An explosion of concentrated, ripe and noble sweet aromas: overripe peaches, apricots, mango, candied lemon and orange peel, honeycomb, almond blossom, delicate botrytis notes (marzipan, saffron), mineral slate coolness and a remarkable, invigorating acidity structure in the background. Extremely complex and multi-layered.

• Palate: Incredible density and concentration combined with floating elegance and lively acidity- a typical Prüm virtue. The high residual sugar (probably well over 150 g/l) is perfectly integrated and never seems heavy or sticky. Flavours of tropical fruit, honey, caramel and delicate spices dominate, carried by a cool, salty-mineral slate note. Long, vibrant, breathtakingly pure and fresh finish. The acidity gives the wine structure and enormous ageing potential.

5. ageing potential & drinking recommendation:

• Ageing potential: A top-class wine with immense ageing potential. Ice wines of this quality and from a top winery such as Prüm can easily develop for 50 years or moreif stored optimally (cool, dark, constant temperature). At over 20 years old, the 2002 is now (2023) in a fascinating phase: the initial youthful sweetness has turned into complex maturity, the full spectrum of tertiary flavours (petrol, candle, nougat) is beginning to develop, while the acidity and minerality continue to lend it freshness and structure.

• Drinking window: Great to experience now, but will continue to grow in complexity for at least another 2-3 decades. Best enjoyed:As a contemplative aperitif or with desserts that are not too sweet (foie gras, blue cheese, creamy goat's cheese, tarte tatin, fruit desserts with acidity). Serve in small quantities (approx. 50-75 ml) at approx. 8-10°C.

6. importance & market:

• Rarity:Ice wines are rare per se due to the enormous weather risk and the tiny yields. An Eiswein Goldkapsel from J. J. Prüm from a top vintage such as 2002 belongs to the absolute top league and is a great rarity.

Conclusion:
The J. J. Prüm Graacher Himmelreich Riesling Eiswein Goldkapsel 2002 is a monumental, rare and exceptional wine, combining the legendary Prüm elegance and minerality with the opulent sweetness and concentration of a perfect ice wine from a great vintage. Its floating balance between extreme sweetness, lively acidity and cool slate minerality makes it an unforgettable experience. A wine for special occasions and connoisseurs that represents the magic of the Moselle and the signature of one of the world's best Riesling producers at its best. An absolute wine of the century with decades ahead of it.