Markus Molitor : WC Riesling Haus Klosterberg 2023

Characteristics and tasting notes for the WC Riesling "Haus Klosterberg" 2023 Markus Molitor

Tasting notes

Color
The glass reveals a clear, luminous hue.

Nose
The aromatic bouquet opens with notes of pome and stone fruit, reminiscent of pear and peach, underscored by subtle mineral and smoky touches.

Palate
Wonderfully light, the palate offers a silky texture and a fine phenolic structure. The acidity, at once delicate and elegant, carries fruity aromas through to a beautifully refined finish. The wine evolves and gains complexity with aeration.

Food and wine pairing

This white wine pairs beautifully with raw, smoked, or marinated fish such as salmon and trout, as well as with sushi or oysters. It also pairs very well with white meats, grilled fish with Mediterranean herbs, or charcuterie and pork-based dishes.

Service and storage

The WC Riesling "Haus Klosterberg" 2023 shows fine aging potential for its category and can be expected to evolve favorably over several years.

Other characteristics

This cuvée stands out for its dry profile, with imperceptible residual sugar. Its alcohol content is moderate, at 11.5%.

The mineral purity of a white wine from Markus Molitor

The estate

The estate's modern history began in 1984 when Markus Molitor, the current owner, took over the family business. At just twenty years old, he inherited a hectare and a half of vines with a clear vision: to restore the terroirs of the Mosel-Saar-Ruwer region to their former glory. Today, the estate spans more than one hundred and twenty hectares, making it the largest independent family-owned estate in the region. Supported by his daughter Helena, Markus Molitor continues to uphold an uncompromising philosophy centered on low yields and an authentic expression of each individual plot.

The vineyard

The grapes come from several plots located along the river, offering a fine representation of this German wine region's terroir. The vines are planted on dramatically steep slopes, with inclines reaching up to eighty degrees, making mechanization impossible. The soil, composed mainly of blue, grey, and red slate, stores daytime heat and releases it at night. The vineyard is cultivated using sustainable methods, without chemical fertilizers or pesticides, with entirely hand-harvested grapes and extremely rigorous sorting.

The vintage

2023 began with a cold winter that lasted until the end of February, followed by a typical bud break in late March. Spring, initially dry, was later marked by regular rainfall and cool temperatures in May and June. By midsummer, the climate turned warmer and more stable, sparing the vines any water stress. Véraison took place in early August under excellent sanitary conditions, allowing for slow, optimal ripening through to the harvest in early September.

Winemaking and aging

Following a meticulous hand harvest, the grapes destined for the WC Riesling "Haus Klosterberg" 2023 are gently crushed and left to macerate on their skins for a few hours. Pressing is followed by spontaneous fermentation, triggered solely by indigenous yeasts, in stainless steel tanks and large wooden foudres. The wine then undergoes extended aging on fine lees. No enzymatic clarification or fining is carried out, as the wine clarifies naturally by gravity.

Grape variety

100% Riesling