The color is still light with a hint of yellow. My reference point for Graacher Himmelreich is the 1990 JJ Prum. The 2004 has a similar nose of cinnamon, sage and a little lime. More about the spice and herb rather than fruits and in a very good way.
Still spritzy with minimal sufur notes that recede well after several hours of air. The lime and peach flavors are in the foreground with the spice and earth emerging on the back end in the mouth. Drinking well now with certain further development with more cellaring. Medium bodied like Spatlese is supposed to be with excellent balancing acidity contributing to the long finish.
No suprise this is yet another great effort from JJ Prum. Even though my storage space is at a premium I will have to pick up another case for only $17.99 per bottle. If I do not I am sure I would regret that decision down the road as it is doubtful I will ever see this kind of pricing in a very good vintage again.
Thanks for the note. Had a glass of the 08 last week with a salad of arugala, boccancini, grape tomatos and red onion. I was told the bottle had been open for 24 hours. Absolutely beautiful, rich and balanced spatlese, a perfect “lunch wine”. Enough acidity to stand up to the sweet fruit, but surprisingly subdued for an 08; also, surprisingly little in the way of sulfur notes to deal with (24 hours no doubt helped on that count). Went out and bought some more for the cellar the next day.
Whispering Vine in Reno, (775) 787-9463, has various bottles from 2003, 2004, 2007 and I think 2008. Kabinett, Spatlese and Auslese. They do ship. Ask for Brian.
