This a good release of this classic wine from Dr Loosen. Only 8% in alcohol, it is typical of the Mosel Kabinett riesling style. In the glass, there are restrained aromas of lemon and stones, with hints of tropical fruit. The palate is off to medium dry and the acidity both refreshing and racy, ably balancing the impression of residual sugar. This paradigm Mosel wine can be enjoyed now or cellared. Rating: Very Good. Abv: 8%. Price: $30. Website: https://drloosen.com. Reviewed: January 2020.
JJ Prum is one of Mosel’s leading wineries and there’s a little bit of anticipation in opening one of this producer’s bottles. This particular wine was sourced at auction, and presented as quite developed. A yellow gold in colour, it opens to aromas that remind of lemon and has a lactic overlay. The palate is off dry, fresh and retains a youthful spritz typical of Kabinett. It has great length and quite developed characters of clarified butter. Seek out well stored examples, but even this more developed version remains a very enjoyable wine. (Alc: 9.5%, Region: Mosel, Germany, Rating: Good to Very Good, Drink: now to 2022, Price: >$50, Tasted: October, 2017)
Read more:
www.jjpruem.com
Other vintages reviewed:
Nil
Incomprehensible German wine labelling laws aside, I should drink more German riesling. This is a very typical example of a good quality Mosel Cabinet riesling from Dr. Loosen. Its aromatics are very attractive, with expressions of white florals, stones and lemon rind. The palate is off-dry, perhaps even medium-dry at a pinch, but well balanced with refreshing racy acidity and some youthful spritz, producing a wine with a crisp and mouth watering finish. Its alcohol barely registering at 8%, this is a lovely, fresh Mosel riesling. Good
Abv: 8%, Price: $30, Vendors and website: http://drloosen.com, Tasted: 2015
JJ Prum’s wines rarely disappoint, and this wine is no exception. From the Mosel, the 2011 vintage of the Graacher Himmelreich Kabinett has delicate aromatics of stone, lemon and lemon rind. Its palate is off dry, framed by high acid and its delicate aromatics carry through to the palate. There is a lovely harmony and balance with this wine, as the high acidity seamlessly knits together the fruit flavours and a medium to long length finish on the palate.
Rating: Good to Very Good, Abv: 9.5%, Price: $50s, Vendors: http://www.wine-searcher.com/, Website: http://www.jjpruem.com, Tasted: 2014
For the complexity and quality of this Dr Loosen Beerenauslese, it is an utter, utter bargain. Beerenauslese for those not particularly familiar with German wine laws – something I am still coming to grips with – fortunately I have another 10 months before that exam – is produced from riesling that has ordinarily experienced “noble rot” (i.e. botrytis) and has a minimum must weight of 110-128c oechsle. Oechsle, in short, is a German measure for sugar levels in grape juice. My experience with these wines – which is reasonably limited – is that they have been uniformly outstanding.
The 2006 vintage of Dr Loosen’s Beerenauslese from the Mosel is a pale intensity golden colour that is clear, rather than bright, in the glass. It has a pronounced intensity of fragrance that is developed and evocative of honey, lemons and marmalade. Sweet on the palate, the wine retains its high acidity and therefore is not cloying, and has medium body, with flavours of honey, marmalade and ripe white nectarines accompanied by long length, and extraordinarily low alcohol. This is simply an outstanding wine due to its quality of fruit, balance and length. 95 points (outstanding)
Abv: 7%
Price: $66 (half bottle)
Vendors: Dan Murphy’s
Website: http://www.drloosen.com/index.php
Tasted: July 2012
This wine had an aroma of lemon, citrus and a slight struck match note. The palate was reminiscent of lemons, with good acidity, a touch of spritz, and also some residual sugar. Pleasant. 83 points.
Abv: 11%
Price: around $20
Website: http://www.drloosen.com/