Markus Molitor : GRC Riesling Zeltinger Sonnenuhr Auslese*** Demi-Sec 2018

Characteristics and tasting tips for the GRC Riesling Zeltinger Sonnenuhr Auslese*** Off-Dry 2018 by Markus Molitor

Tasting

Appearance

This wine is characterized by a golden yellow hue with luminous highlights.

Nose

The nose reveals a beautiful aromatic complexity with notes of ripe exotic fruits, apricot, and white peach. Delicate floral nuances accompany these fruity aromas, while a characteristic minerality evoking slate adds depth and elegance to the bouquet.

Palate

On the palate, this wine captivates with its remarkable balance between sweetness and freshness. The texture is both rich and airy, carried by a crystalline acidity that brings vivacity and tension. Ripe fruit flavors blend with a distinctive saline minerality, the hallmark of the blue Devonian slate terroir. The finish, long and lingering, leaves an impression of purity and elegance.

Food and wine pairing

This off-dry Riesling pairs perfectly with lightly spiced Asian cuisine, poultry dishes in creamy sauce, or pan-seared foie gras. It also goes beautifully with blue cheeses or lightly sweetened fruit desserts.

Serving and storage

The Riesling "Zeltinger Sonnenuhr" Auslese*** Off-Dry (Green Capsule) 2018 is best enjoyed at a temperature between 8 and 10°C. A brief aeration in a decanter for about fifteen minutes allows its aromatic complexity to fully unfold.

An exceptional Riesling from the Mosel by Markus Molitor

The estate

Markus Molitor today heads the largest private family-owned wine estate in the Mosel region. Founded in 1984 when Markus took over the family operation at just twenty years old, the estate now spans approximately 120 hectares across some twenty Grand Cru sites among the most prestigious in the Mosel. An eighth-generation winemaker, Markus Molitor has made it his mission to restore the historic reputation of Mosel Rieslings. His approach is rooted in organic and sustainable viticulture, manual harvesting berry by berry, and single-plot vinification that produces nearly 80 to 90 different wines per vintage. The estate is the only German producer to have received 21 perfect scores of 100 points from Robert Parker's Wine Advocate, cementing the excellence of its Rieslings across all winemaking styles.

The vineyard

The "Zeltinger Sonnenuhr," whose name literally means "sundial," ranks among the most celebrated sites in the Mosel. This vineyard covers less than 20 hectares on extremely steep slopes planted with very old ungrafted vines, some of which are over 80 to 100 years old. The terroir is defined by soils composed of light blue Devonian slate, particularly stony and shallow. These demanding conditions naturally limit yields to just 10 to 20 hectoliters per hectare, thereby fostering exceptional concentration in the grapes. The optimal southwest exposure and the slate's ability to absorb and radiate heat allow ideal ripening of Riesling in the Mosel's cool climate.

This off-dry wine presents a balanced profile. The Auslese*** (three-star) designation indicates a very high-quality selection from grapes harvested at optimal ripeness.

The vintage

The 2018 vintage in the Mosel region benefited from particularly favorable climatic conditions. An early spring allowed a harmonious start to the growing season, followed by a hot and sunny summer that promoted optimal grape ripening. The dry and stable autumn conditions enabled harvesting under ideal circumstances, with grapes reaching perfect physiological maturity while retaining beautiful aromatic freshness.

Winemaking and aging

The GRC Riesling Zeltinger Sonnenuhr Auslese*** Off-Dry 2018 is crafted according to the traditional methods of this German estate. The grapes are hand-harvested through successive selections, berry by berry, to retain only those at optimal ripeness. Fermentation occurs spontaneously using indigenous yeasts naturally present on the grapes, without any addition of sugar or acidity correction. The wine is then aged at length in traditional large wooden casks of 1,000 to 3,000 liters, in cellars carved directly into the slate of the Wehlener Klosterberg. This extended aging on fine lees allows the wine to develop its aromatic complexity and silky texture while preserving its purity and freshness.

Grape variety

100% Riesling.