Markus Molitor : GOC Riesling Wehlener Sonnenuhr Auslese*** 2020

Characteristics and tasting tips for the Riesling Wehlener Sonnenuhr Auslese *** 2020 from Markus Molitor

Tasting

Appearance

The wine displays a brilliant golden hue.

Nose

The bouquet reveals remarkable aromatic complexity, unveiling notes of zesty lemon and fresh citrus. Concentrated yellow fruit aromas, notably yellow peach and pineapple, are accompanied by touches of tangerine. The whole is enhanced by nuances of clay slate characteristic of the terroir, along with delicate notes of whipped cream, fresh mint, and white flowers. This crystalline and precise olfactory expression reflects the purity of the fruit and the minerality of the vineyard.

Palate

On the palate, this Riesling offers a remarkably rich and concentrated structure while retaining surprising lightness and elegance. The aromas perceived on the nose unfold with breadth across the palate, carried by a constant lemony freshness. The slate minerality is particularly expressive on the mid-palate and finish, creating a vertical tension between the richness of the fruit and the underlying mineral austerity. The wine's saline and zesty character brings a savory dimension that stimulates the palate. Subtle notes of salted caramel and apricot jam enrich the aromatic palette. The finish lingers at great length, with mineral impressions persisting for several minutes.

Food and wine pairing

This Riesling Auslese *** pairs perfectly with soft cheeses and intense blue cheeses. It also harmonizes beautifully with Asian cuisine featuring sweet-and-savory balance, particularly moderately spiced Indian curries and Thai dishes. Fruit desserts, tarts, crèmes brûlées, and pan-fried fruit preparations also make excellent pairings. This wine can also be enjoyed on its own, as a meditation wine.

Serving and storage

The Riesling Wehlener Sonnenuhr Auslese *** 2020 will benefit from extended cellar maturation. This wine will require a minimum of eight to ten years of additional aging before reaching its peak. Its cellaring potential extends over three to four decades, during which it will develop noble oxidative notes characteristic of great aged Rieslings, while preserving its crystalline delicacy.

An exceptional Riesling from the Mosel with remarkable aging potential

The estate

Weingut Markus Molitor was founded in 1984 when Markus Molitor, then twenty years old, took over the family estate, which initially comprised only three hectares of vines in the Wehlener Klosterberg sector. Today, the property extends across approximately 120 hectares spread over the most prestigious vineyards of the Mosel-Saar-Ruwer, with 75% located in Grand Cru sites of the central Mosel and 25% in the Saar region. Markus Molitor still personally manages the estate, which has established itself as a world-class benchmark for Riesling excellence. The property holds the unique distinction of being the only German wine estate to have received the 100-point score from the Wine Advocate fifteen times. The estate applies organic and sustainable viticultural practices across all its vineyards, favoring an environmentally respectful approach and deliberately limited yields to guarantee exceptional quality.

The vineyard

The Wehlener Sonnenuhr, whose name means "sundial of Wehlen," is one of the most legendary terroirs of the Mosel. This vineyard benefits from an optimal south-southwest exposure that captures sunlight throughout the day, creating a natural sundial effect. The extremely steep slopes, reaching 65 to 70% gradient, require entirely manual labor. The soils consist of fragmented grey and blue Devonian slate, imparting a crystalline minerality and characteristic delicacy to the wines. This shallow rocky substratum, combined with the exceptional exposure, allows the grapes to ripen progressively while retaining remarkable freshness. The estate cultivates old vines, some ungrafted and over a hundred years old, naturally producing very low yields that guarantee extraordinary concentration.

The gold capsule (Goldkapsel) signals a distinctly sweet wine with a particularly high level of concentration and complexity. The three-star Auslese designation indicates that this wine achieves a very high must weight, approaching the regulatory levels of a Trockenbeerenauslese. This cuvée represents one of the most exceptional expressions from the estate for this vintage.

The vintage

The 2020 viticultural year in Germany was characterized by generally favorable growing conditions. The vintage benefited from a climate that allowed optimal grape ripening, producing high-quality wines with a remarkable balance between aromatic concentration and freshness. Weather conditions enabled the grapes to reach exceptional levels of maturity, promoting the development of aromatic complexity while preserving the natural acidity characteristic of great Mosel Rieslings.

Winemaking and aging

The harvest for the Riesling Wehlener Sonnenuhr Auslese *** 2020 is carried out exclusively by hand, in several successive passes over the same slopes to pick only the grapes that have reached the desired level of ripeness. An additional selection is performed at the winery, systematically discarding any insufficiently ripe or damaged berries. Fermentation is conducted exclusively with natural indigenous yeasts, without the addition of commercial cultures, allowing the wine to develop a unique microbial complexity. This spontaneous fermentation can last several months. Aging takes place in large traditional wooden casks called Fuders, with a capacity of between 1,000 and 3,000 liters, allowing the wine to mature slowly on its lees. No stabilizing intervention, no artificial fining agents, and no corrective additives are used—the wine is released in its most natural state possible.

Grape variety

100% Riesling