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Joh. Jos. Prüm + Clos Cibonne + Gamay Greatness + Momento Mori Tasting Saturday 19th 3pm-6pm

by Annandale Cellars

Joh. Jos. Prüm

Joh. Jos. Prüm are without a doubt the most recognisable producer of Mosel Riesling out there. If someone was to ask me to name a German Riesling producer, the first one that comes to mind is always Prüm. The Prüm family history in the Mosel dates back as early as 1156, though it was Johann Josef Prüm who founded the estate in 1911. Today the estate is run by Katharina Prüm overlooking the 13.5 hectares of vines on those famous steep slopes overlooking the Mosel River.

Prüm have remained at the summit of the Mosel Riesling scene for decades, thanks not only to special sites, but also to ideal picking at optimal ripeness (and many, many passes through the vineyard), low yields, ungrafted vines and harvesting only the best grapes. All these factors contribute to the signature Prüm style of ripe fruits and a beautiful body that seems to have presence and be weightless at the same time. It is worth noting that 90% of the Estate’s vines are ungrafted with an average age exceeding 60 years and there are a number of key parcels with an average vine age of 70-100+ years. All of Prüm’s key vineyards share the same soils - grey and blue Devonian slate, and south to south-westerly aspects. The major differences between the sites have to do with the variation in the aspect (from south to southwest), the steepness and the depth of the soil. These subtle differences in site manifest themselves in the wines (it is said that Riesling is the best white grape at translating terroir to wine, after all) in a distinctive manner, which I can attest to having had the privilege of tasting through the full 2023 lineup the other week.

In the winery, the winemaking is as natural as possible with as little intervention as possible: natural yeast, unrushed fermentation and patient aging on lees with wines only being put into bottle when they are ready. This extended elevage on lees means the wines absorb everything the lees have to give and helps to produce that famous Prüm texture.

We've just received the fantastic 2023 release and have wines from across that Pradikat spectrum with some '22s as well. From the Kabinett side of things, we have: '23 'Bernkasteler Badstube', '23 'Graacher Himmelreich' (with the '22 available and in magnum) and the '23 'Wehlener Sonnenuhr' which is also available in '22 and in a magnum. Now moving into the Spätlese sphere, we have the '23 'Zeltinger Sonnenuhr', '23 'Graacher Himmelreich' (with the '22) and the '23 'Wehlener Sonnenuhr' which we also have in a '22 magnum. The Spätlese is what Katharina considers to be the most versatile of her range. As for Auslese, we have the '23 'Wehlener Sonnenuhr' which is also available in 375ml bottles, the '23 'Graacher Himmelreich' and then '22 'Bernkasteler Lay Auslese GOLDKAPSEL' in 375ml, '22 'Graacher Himmelreich Auslese GOLDKAPSEL' '18 'Wehlener Sonnenuhr GOLDKAPSEL' and finally the '22 'Zeltinger Sonnenuhr Auslese LONG GOLDKAPSEL'. These are some of the very best and most versatile Rieslings on the market - you will never be disappointed with Prüm!

 

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Clos Cibonne

Clos Cibonne are without a doubt one of the top benchmark producers for high-quality rosé. The thing that sets this producer apart from the other landfill of Provencal rosé producers in addition to their ideal terroir - just 800m from the coast making them the most southerly producer, is that they use the native and notoriously difficult grape variety: Tibouren which has become their hallmark and has singlehandedly kept the unique indigenous grape alive.

The vineyards are managed organically, though not certified, with all of the work being carried out by hand. The estate’s 15 hectares of vineyards are located a mere 800 metres from the coast and are surrounded by hillsides in the base of a bowl that faces the sea. This topography creates a beneficial air circulation which extends the growing period whilst cooling the vines. The soil here is a mixture of schist and clay. After harvest, the wines are fermented in stainless steel and some are then aged under fleurette (a thin veil of yeast) in 100-year-old, 500L foudres. The resulting wines are some of the best from southern France being filled with the spices, herbs and salt that you can smell in the local seabreezes.

We've just restocked the classic '22 'Tradition Rose' - one of the most iconic roses in the world which speaks so well to the place it comes from and is most importantly, delicious. This is the rose you should give to someone that "doesn't like rose" to change their minds. We also have the much rarer and even more unique '21 'Tibouren Rouge' which comes from bush vines with an average age of 20 years and is fermented on skins in stainless steel tanks, 10 days on skins with pump overs twice a day. Once dry the wine spends 6 months in cask before being bottled with the final wine consisting of 90% Tibouren and 10% Grenache. This is lighter bodied and full of delicate red fruits and spices. Clos Cibonne prove time and time again why they are the Kings of Provence - try these wines and see why for yourself!

 

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Gamay Greatness

Gamay - the delicious native red grape of Beaujolais has received some special attention in our store recently. Partially due to the fact that these wines almost always represent great value for the price and partially due to the cold weather, everyone should be drinking Gamay right now.

From the rolling granite hills of Beaujolais, Gamay produces wines that are generally red-fruited, floral and at times spicey and earthy with a light to medium body. This means it can be paired with a wide variety of dishes but it is also easy to drink by itself - especially in these cold winter months.

We've selected 6 Gamays below - 3 from Australia and 3 from Beaujolais that are perfect to drink now. All 3 Aussie ones come from respected producers making excellent expressions of the grape on our home turf. The 3 from Beaujolais are of course incredible, the cheaper one punches well above its weight and even the Georges Descombes and Jean Foillard offer great value within the grand scheme of imported red wine. If you need some comfort wine this winter, want to branch off from the increasingly more expensive Pinot or just want to try some great wine - try any of these options below!

 

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Momento Mori Tasting

Saturday 19th

3pm-6pm

Join us this Saturday as we taste through a lineup of cult Aussie natural wines - Momento Mori!

Momento Mori is a small-scale husband and wife duo based in Gippsland, Victoria. They farm their vineyards using strict organic principles and source high-quality fruit when needed from like-minded growers throughout Victoria, who also strive for sustainability.


"Momento Mori Wines, is founded on the principle of making wines that above all have respect for the living."


Their wines are made using small ferments, wild yeast, no oak and with no wine making additions. This results in multiple different wines that are idiosyncratic, full of character, freshness, purity, and above all, alive.


These are the wines that we'll be tasting this Saturday:


Momento Mori Fistful of Flowers White 2023
Momento Mori Staring At The Sun White 2023
Momento Mori If Only Maybe Blend 2022
Momento Mori Nazomi Rose 2023
Momento Mori Everything Is Free Red 2022
Momento Mori The Incline Syrah 2022

Come down to the store this Saturday and taste these fresh, exciting wines for yourself!

Wishing you a great week from the team: Chris, Pete and Aaron.

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