Markus Molitor : WC Riesling Wehlener Klosterberg Kabinett Sec 2023

Tasting characteristics and tips for the WC Riesling Wehlener Klosterberg Kabinett Sec 2023 by Markus Molitor

Tasting

Nose
Marked by a reduction on opening typical of its winemaking style, the nose requires a little aeration to reveal itself. It then expresses a fresh bouquet with notes of aromatic herbs, mint and greengage, subtly underlined by smoky nuances and a deep minerality linked to its slate terroir.

Palate
Refreshing and dynamic, the palate stands out for its beautiful tension and lively acidity, characteristic of cool climates. The mineral expression takes precedence over roundness, offering an elegant and precise structure that stretches towards a light and airy finish.

Food and wine pairings

This dry white wine pairs wonderfully with poached or steamed fish, as well as with light white meats such as roast chicken. It also goes very well with mild vegetables like asparagus or fennel, Asian dishes flavoured with fresh herbs, or desserts based on stone fruits.

Serving and cellaring

It is strongly advised to aerate the WC Riesling Wehlener Klosterberg Kabinett Sec 2023 before tasting in order to dissipate its youthful reductive notes. Endowed with great ageing potential, this wine will be able to evolve and gain in complexity in the cellar over several decades.

The mineral elegance of a dry Riesling from the Mosel by Markus Molitor

The estate

Representing the eighth generation of a line of winegrowers, Markus Molitor took over the family estate in 1984, at the age of twenty. At that time, the property covered only 1.5 hectares. Thanks to a vision focused on the authentic expression of terroir and tireless manual work, he has raised the estate to the rank of the largest private property in the Mosel-Saar-Ruwer region, with around 120 hectares today. The estate stands out for its sustainable viticulture and minimally interventionist winemaking, aiming to restore the historic prestige of the wines of this German region.

The vineyard

This German white wine comes from the historic terroir of Wehlener Klosterberg, located at the heart of the estate's holdings. This vineyard surrounds the main cellar and stretches over particularly steep slopes in a side valley facing Zeltingen. Benefiting from an ideal full southern exposure to capture sunlight throughout the day, the vines flourish on light to medium-heavy soils. These are composed of decomposed slate and prove particularly rich in unweathered iron. The extreme topography of these plots requires that vineyard work be carried out exclusively by hand.

The wine

The white capsule (WC) on the bottle indicates that this is a dry-style wine, with an imperceptible residual sugar level. In addition, its "Kabinett" ripeness level translates into a moderate alcohol content, generally between 10 and 10.5%.

The vintage

In contrast to the previous year, marked by extreme heat and drought, the 2023 growing cycle benefited from very different climatic conditions. The arrival of generous rainfall from late July onwards helped modify water availability and ease hydric stress on the vines, thus providing optimal ripening and lovely energy in the grapes.

Winemaking and ageing

For the WC Riesling Wehlener Klosterberg Kabinett Sec 2023 cuvée, the berries undergo gentle crushing followed by several hours of skin maceration in order to extract the aromatic precursors. Fermentation then begins spontaneously thanks solely to indigenous yeasts. This slow process takes place in stainless steel tanks as well as in large traditional wooden casks with a capacity of 1,000 to 3,000 litres. Finally, the wine benefits from extended ageing on lees, fostering the development of its complexity and texture.

Grape variety

100% Riesling.