Markus Molitor : GOC Riesling Zeltinger Sonnenuhr Auslese*** 2018

Characteristics and tasting tips for the GOC Riesling Zeltinger Sonnenuhr Auslese*** 2018 by Markus Molitor

Tasting

Appearance

The wine displays a brilliant golden-yellow hue.

Nose

The bouquet reveals a fascinating aromatic complexity, blending notes of candied citrus, vine peach and apricot with hints of honey and sweet spices. The mineral dimension, evoking flint, precisely reflects the blue slate terroir of the vineyard.

Palate

On the palate, this luscious Riesling unfolds an unctuous and dense structure, carried by a saline minerality and a crystalline acidity that perfectly balances the sweetness. The remarkable concentration of ripe fruit and botrytis is married with a vibrant freshness. The long, lingering finish stands out for its mineral character and great elegance.

Food and wine pairings

This Riesling is an ideal companion for fruit desserts, apricot or mirabelle tarts. It also pairs beautifully with blue-veined cheeses such as Roquefort or Stilton, as well as with spicy Asian cuisine or pan-seared foie gras.

Serving and storage

The Riesling Zeltinger Sonnenuhr Auslese*** (Gold Capsule) 2018 is best enjoyed at a temperature between 50 and 54°F. Aeration allows the wine to fully reveal its aromatic complexity. This wine has immense aging potential and can evolve favorably over several decades.

An exceptional Riesling from the German Mosel

The estate

Founded in 1984 when Markus Molitor took over the family estate at the age of twenty, Weingut Markus Molitor has established itself as the largest private, family-owned estate in the Mosel. Starting from a modest 1.5-hectare vineyard, the estate now spans approximately 120 hectares, 75% of which are located on Grand Cru sites along the Middle Mosel. Markus Molitor carries on a family winemaking tradition dating back to the 17th century. Internationally acclaimed for its exceptional Rieslings, the estate practices meticulous viticulture and is distinguished by its single-plot winemaking philosophy. Markus Molitor currently runs the property with the progressive involvement of his daughter Helena, representing the ninth generation.

The vineyard

The Zeltinger Sonnenuhr, whose name means "sundial," is one of the most prestigious terroirs in the Mosel. This vineyard of approximately twenty-five hectares is characterized by extremely steep south-southwest-facing slopes, composed of very stony and densely compacted blue Devonian slate. This distinctive geological nature gives the wines a crystalline minerality and a remarkably juicy acidity. The estate's old vines, some of which are ungrafted and very old, demonstrated exceptional resilience during the hot and dry 2018 vintage.

The gold capsule (Gold Capsule) indicates a sweet Prädikat wine, made from grapes at high maturity or affected by botrytis. The three stars (***) represent the highest level of selection and quality in the estate's classification for this type of wine.

The vintage

The 2018 vintage proved to be the hottest and driest ever recorded in the region. After a cold and wet winter, summer-like temperatures arrived as early as late March, triggering an early budburst. The exceptionally hot and dry summer extended into October, advancing the growing cycle by approximately one month compared to the usual averages. Harvest began in mid-September. These conditions yielded perfectly ripe, healthy and concentrated grapes, ideal for producing great sweet wines.

Winemaking and aging

The Riesling Zeltinger Sonnenuhr Auslese*** (Gold Capsule) 2018 is the result of rigorous single-plot winemaking. The grapes, hand-harvested at an advanced stage of ripeness (Auslese) with a selection of noble rot berries, fermented spontaneously using indigenous yeasts in large oak casks. Fermentation stops naturally or through cold stabilization to preserve residual sugars, thus creating a luscious wine of great purity. Aging on fine lees in neutral wood barrels refines the structure and the expression of the terroir.

Grape variety

100% Riesling.