Markus Molitor : GOC Riesling Wehlener Sonnenuhr Auslese*** 2022

Characteristics and tasting notes of the GOC Riesling Wehlener Sonnenuhr Auslese*** 2022 Markus Molitor

Tasting notes

Colour
The colour reveals a golden hue, ranging from pale to medium, reflecting the beautiful ripeness of the berries and the influence of noble rot.

Nose
The aromatic bouquet expresses a pronounced minerality marked by saline notes and flint. It then opens onto aromas of ripe stone fruits such as yellow peach and apricot, complemented by exotic touches of mango and passion fruit. Subtle smoky and honeyed nuances round out the whole.

Palate
Despite its advanced ripeness, this wine stands out for its remarkably precise balance. The palate offers beautiful concentration combined with refreshing acidity that provides structure and tension, avoiding any heaviness in this wine, which is vinified completely dry.

Food and wine pairing

This white wine pairs wonderfully with delicate white fish preparations or subtly spiced Asian cuisine. It also pairs elegantly with dishes made with light cream, as well as aged hard cheeses such as Comté or Gruyère. It also proves just as fitting when served as an aperitif.

Service and storage

With remarkable aging potential, the GOC Riesling Wehlener Sonnenuhr Auslese*** 2022 deserves to rest for five to ten years in the cellar to reveal its full complexity. It can then be enjoyed until around 2052.

Other characteristics

This wine is vinified in a perfectly dry style, with a residual sugar level below 9 g/l. Its alcohol content is around 13 to 13.5%.

The pure and mineral expression of a white wine from Germany by Markus Molitor

The estate

Although the family's winemaking roots date back to the 17th century, it was in 1984 that the estate embarked on its modern development, when Markus Molitor, its current owner, took over management at just twenty years old. Located in the Moselle-Sarre-Ruwer region, the estate has grown from 1.5 to approximately 120 hectares of vineyards. A fervent advocate of natural viticulture and absolute precision, Markus Molitor crafts authentic terroir-driven wines that have played a major role in restoring the region's international prestige.

The vineyard

This wine comes from the legendary Wehlener Sonnenuhr terroir. This vineyard is characterized by its dramatically steep, south-facing slopes, located on the right bank of the Moselle. Its highly rocky soils are made up of ancient blue Devonian slate, offering optimal drainage and an excellent ability to store daytime heat and release it at night.

The vintage

The year 2022 was marked by extreme weather conditions, with record summer heat and prolonged drought raising fears of a very early harvest. Fortunately, saving rains and a drop in nighttime temperatures in September allowed the vines to regain an ideal balance, yielding berries that were both concentrated and beautifully fresh.

Winemaking and aging

The grapes, harvested by hand in several passes, undergo spontaneous fermentation with indigenous yeasts, carried out in large wooden barrels within the estate's cool cellars. The GOC Riesling Wehlener Sonnenuhr Auslese*** 2022 then benefits from extended aging on fine lees, without any fining or the addition of enzymes, in order to preserve its full authenticity.

Grape variety

100% Riesling.