96pts Robert Parker's Wine Advocate

The 2012 Graacher Himmelreich Riesling Auslese Gold Capsule (AP #16 13) reveals a concentrated bouquet of highly delicate Riesling berry aromas along with grapefruit flavors. Rich and concentrated, but with a lots of finesse, transparency and elegance on the palate, this noble sweet Auslese is fresh, delicate and very stimulating. 

96pts Wine & Spirits

All of the 2012 Spätlesen and Auslesen we tasted from J.J. Prüm were spectacular, this one most of all. Made in the typical Prüm style—spontaneous ferment, long and slow, then held for late release—this is just as slow to emerge, the flavors building with a languor that’s teasingly attractive. It starts on earth, Graacher Himmelreich’s Devonian slate seeming to infuse it with a smooth wet-rock minerality; then it builds in layers of peach, pear and honey wrapped around a firm acid core. It’s too reserved to be called hedonistic, but it is certainly delicious, and should grow more complex over the next 20 years. 

95pts Wine Enthusiast

Saffron and exotic spice dust aromas of honey and apples on this deeply layered, complex wine. The palate is sweet with peach nectar and preserves, yet balanced with streaks of acidity and crushed minerals. Silken on the tongue, it lingers endlessly with a kiss of honeysuckle. Wonderful now, but sure to develop it's honeyed, mineral complexity from 2020 on.

94pts Wine Spectator

A rich, savory style, with well-defined celery salt accents to the crunchy apple, ripe citrus and smoked almond flavors. Elegant midpalate, with a saline snap and some smoky notes that fill the layered and creamy finish. Drink now through 2042.

Winemaker Notes

This dramatically beautiful region of western Germany produces exceptional white wines from the Riesling grape. Among the lightest in Germany, these wines usually contain less than 10% alcohol and they are generally delicate, fresh, and bursting with flavor.