S. A. Prüm - Wehlener Sonnenuhr Riesling Auslese Goldkapsel 1990

S. A. Prüm - Wehlener Sonnenuhr Riesling Auslese 1990

Introduction

The 1990 Wehlener Sonnenuhr Riesling Auslese from the S. A. Prüm winery is a shining example of the art of noble sweet winemaking on the Moselle. This wine was produced in an outstanding vintage and from one of the most famous vineyards in Germany. Since its bottling, it has earned a reputation as a classic, especially in the coveted gold capsule version, which masterfully explores the complex balance between luscious fullness and the finest minerality.

1. The winery: S. A. Prüm - a name steeped in tradition on the Moselle

The origins of the Prüm winegrowing family date back to the 12th century. The foundation stone of today's S. A. Prüm winery was laid in 1911 by Sebastian Alois Prüm, who took over the vineyards in Wehlen and the neighbouring communities as part of an inheritance division.

S. A. Prüm is a founding member of the Association of German Prädikat Wine Estates (VDP).

2. The vineyard site: Wehlener Sonnenuhr - a monument to Riesling

The Wehlener Sonnenuhr is more than just a vineyard site - it is a landmark of the Moselle. It owes its name to the sundial that the ancestor Jodocus Prüm had carved into the slate rock in 1842. This clock characterises the image of the steep slope and is a symbol of the family's centuries-old connection to this location.

The terroir of the sundial is the key to its uniqueness:

• Soil: The soil consists of deep Devonian slate, preheated by the sun and rich in rock debris. This slate stores the heat and releases it to the vines at night.

• Orientation: The south and south-west facing site with slopes of up to 70% offers optimal exposure to the sun.

• Character:The slate soil gives the wines their characteristic, fine minerality and a deep, salty flavour that makes them so distinctive.

3. The 1990 vintage - classic elegance at the end of a decade

The 1990 vintage on the Moselle is considered a classic and great vintage, known above all for its elegance and longevity. It marks the end of the legendary decade of the 1980s. In contrast to the extremely hot vintages of 1989, 1990 and 2003, the weather was more balanced back then. Warm days and cool nights during the ripening phase ensured that the grapes ripened slowly and evenly. The result was wines with an optimal balance of concentrated fruit, fine acidity and complex flavours - perfect conditions for the long-lasting Auslese.

4. The wine: Riesling Auslese and the gold capsule

"Auslese" is the third highest level in the German Prädikat system. For this wine, fully ripe grapes are selectively harvested individually by hand, resulting in a particularly concentrated and full-bodied wine.

The gold capsuleplays a special role , often characterising an Auslese from particularly noble grapes, often affected by noble rot (botrytis), which represents a further increase in density, sweetness and complexity within the already elevated class of Auslese. The estate's standard Auslese from this vintage is labelled at 8.0% alcohol.

5. Flavour profile and ageing potential

At over 30 years old, the 1990 Auslese is now in a splendid stage of maturity.

• Appearance: In the glass, it has an intense golden colour with a hint of green, which indicates its persistent freshness.

• Nose: The bouquet is complex and rich. It combines ripe, almost exotic fruit flavours of melon, apricot and pineapple with the typical mineral note of Devon slate and a hint of honey.

• Palate: The strength of this wine is evident on the palate. It is creamy with a silky texture and the fruit flavours are supported by a lively, fine acidity that gives the wine a remarkable freshness. The finish is mineral and very long. A tasting note from 2014 describes this Auslese (gold capsule) as a wine that "has not yet shown its best potential" - a clear sign of its enormous ageing potential, which will still be in splendid condition in 2024.

6. Current market presence and pricing

The 1990 S. A. Prüm is highly sought-after and correspondingly expensive. Prices vary considerably between the standard selection and the rarer gold capsule version. The following table provides a current overview:

Sources: The prices are based on current offers from jahrundertweine.de . Experience shows that prices for the 0.75 litre standard bottle on the open market are between €135 and €165.

Conclusion

The S. A. Prüm Wehlener Sonnenuhr Riesling Auslese 1990 is a triumph of the winemaker's art. It combines the history of one of the most traditional wine estates on the Moselle with the terroir of one of the largest vineyards in Germany and the favour of a classic vintage. The luscious fruit, fine sweetness and lively, mineral acidity merge into a harmonious synthesis of the arts of great depth and elegance. This wine is an absolute must for every lover of great, mature Rieslings. However, the bottles in perfect condition are rare and precious - true time capsules of wine culture.