Markus Molitor Riesling Wehlener Klosterberg Auslese*** Green Capsule 2018

“I don't think that any other producer is cultivating so many grand crus in so many diverse styles—from Kabinett to Auslese or even Trockenbeerenauslese and from dry to noble sweet—at least not on this mind-blowing level.” - Robert Parker’s Wine Advocate

Eight generations. 37 hectares of spectacular vineyards spread across 15 classic sites from Bernkastel and Graach to Wehlen and Zeltingen. Extreme dedication. Highly ageable. Heaps of critical acclaim. These are all part of the Molitor legacy. We could post dozens of other quotes and raves about Molitor’s greatness in the world of riesling, but if you opened this email you likely already know.

Of the 110 different wines that Markus Molitor makes each harvest, this was one of our cherry-picked favorites of the 2018 season. 99 POINT Auslese from Wehlener Klosterberg...it's a good one! Tremendous to drink now, but with a hidden power and intensity that will gracefully unfold over the decades. We’re on board with Wine Advocate’s assessment: “This could end up as a giant one day.”

This site serves as Markus Molitor’s “home vineyard” as it lies immediately adjacent to their winery. The vineyard extends over a twenty-four hectare slope composed of weathered Devonian slate speckled with considerable concentrations of iron. The forest above the slope provides ample water supply for the vines below – allowing the grapes to ripen easily and maintain a racy and zesty profile while nevertheless maintaining an elegance underpinned by intense minerality. Auslese is considered to be Markus’ “bread and butter” sweetness level – the wines that earned him the nickname “Herr 300 Punkte” (“Mr. 300 Points”) when he received three perfect scores on his Auslese rieslings in Robert Parker’s Wine Advocate review of his 2015 wines. That was the stroke that turned this German wunderkind into a living legend and, if anything, his wines have only gotten more refined and his practices more focused over time.

This wine soars with aromas of lychee, rambutan, papaya, and sweet Korean pears, with accompanying accents of wet stone, and white flowers of honeysuckle and jasmine. There is a crystalline depth and viscosity here – both complementing the existing flavors and whispering that the best is yet to come. A closely-knit structure, a piercing acidity, and a rich, honeyed finish – this is nothing short of a riesling Masterclass – and one of the finest examples of age-worthy riesling to be found anywhere in the world!

PAIRING IDEAS: Got to go Thai with this wonderfully sweet riesling - the spicier the better. Try some Kaeng Som, a spicy and sour yellow curry with fish. You’ll need the riesling to temper the heat, but it is a match made in heaven.