Monday, June 30, 2008

2005 S.A. Prum Wehlener Sonnenhur Riesling Kabinett

With so many wine notes on this site it is hard to discern a trend, but I have definitely been drinking more German wine as of late. This bottle is rather special, as I picked it up at Montreal's Salon des Vins in March - after tasting many dozens of wines, only few were deemed worthy of transportation back to my cellar and this was one.

The 2005 S.A. Prum Wehlener Sonnenhur Riesling Kabinett (Mosel) was a beautiful expression of German Riesling: floral and petrol on the nose, with honeyed lemon, steely wet stones and a hint of banana. Crisp and (slightly) effervescent apple with a hint of minerally sweetness, it was so balanced and easy to drink that my wife and I got into a fight over the last few ounces in the bottle - really, really good, but make sure you have enough to share...
cork. 9.0% alcohol
Score: 17.5/20
Price: ~C$23.60 (SAQ)

Note that Prum also makes some great, inexpensive riesling (reviewed here), but this label was much, much prettier...

8 comments:

Edward said...

The really good bottles are the ones you try to hold to your mouth (late at night, when no one is watching) in the hope of getting that one last drop!

Joe said...

No joke, my wife and I fought for that last drop from the bottle...

Shea said...

I need to find me some of this! Any other recommendations for superb Riesling? Everything I've had so far has been good but hasn't lifted me up into the zone of total excellence. And I love Riesling!

Also, unrelated, but I was wondering if you have heard of the Montreal Brewery Dieu du Ciel? I had an amazing stout from them when I was at the Seattle Beer Fest but have not seen them out west or in Toronto before.

Joe said...

Hi Shea - it's funny how these "dry" (in the German sense) whites go down so easy. So very flavourful, but I think Ed used the word "kiss" for the German whites vs. a new world "spank" - very appropriate, these are beautiful, delicate wines. Just have a look under the Riesling category for some more German ideas. As for the Dieu de Ciel, haven't heard of it, but you prompted me to post some beers...will definitely look for those.

David said...

yes, I think I'd opt for this over the beer you just reviewed, though that sounds pretty good too!

Joe said...

Hi David - when I lived in NYC more than 10 years ago, I was surprised how many stores and specialty pubs were serving the Unibroue stuff - really good beers if you have had the trappist ales. They even have a nice "Blanche de Chambly" and a lambic-styled beer called Ephemere - I bet they are available in Philly. Of course, I would throw them all out the window for this Prum...even the label is beautiful!

Lyle Fass said...

Try F. Weins Prum. He is a notch above. And a notch below JJ.

Joe said...

Lyle - will look for those if released. Unfortunately, the local selection is limited to SA Prum (for now).