‘Any visit to Markus Molitor’s Klosterberg is a tour de force. The man himself is a force of nature,’ says Vinous of this magician from the Mosel. We’re delighted to introduce you to the newest producer in our portfolio: Weingut Markus Molitor.
What can you expect from his wines? Massive ageability – the wines are slate-y, precise, intense and exuberant, with crystalline palates and long finishes. Riesling is the star, with Pinot Noir (known as Spätburgunder in Germany) a close second. The Molitor Haus Klosterberg Pinot Noir 2019 is sensational for only R385. Delicate and elegant with notes of red cherries and stony slate, it shows why German Pinot is becoming so sought-after.
Molitor’s Haus Klosterberg Riesling 2022 is the perfect introduction to the range. Pure, precise and fresh, it’s a ‘good value picture-book Mosel Riesling’, writes the Wine Advocate. For a step-up, try the aristocratic and amazing Zeltinger Sonnenuhr Kabinett 2020 – a wine with intensity, tension and impressive length.
Much of the Mosel’s international success is attributed to Molitor. With a wine-growing tradition spanning eight generations, Markus has been managing the family domaine since the ‘80s. Hand-picking and multiple passes, under his watchful eye, are the order of the day here at the weingut. As it has been for centuries, the wines are spontaneously fermented and matured in large oak casks, with no fining, enzymes, cultured yeast or any other additions.
Our first shipment is a selection of wines that introduce their property and philosophy very well. (If you were to taste all his wines from one specific vintage, be ready for about 70 wines from 17 different vineyards!) View our entire offering here.
Wine styles at Molitor are colour-coded: (W) white capsules denote dry, (GR) green is off-dry (feinherb), and (G) gold is sweet.
Tasting Notes:
Markus Molitor Haus Klosterberg Pinot Noir 2019
‘Molitor’s 2019 Pinot Noir Haus Klosterberg offers a beautifully clear, fresh and pure but fragrant Pinot bouquet with delicate cherry and red berry aromas intertwined with slate finesse and hints of toast. Round and juicy on the palate, this is a fine yet intense and balanced Pinot with a long and juicy, cherry-flavored finish that is carried by finessed tannins and slate salinity. This is a filigreed, highly delicate and elegant Pinot with a typical Mosel terroir expression. The wine was aged in used barrels for 15-16 months and bottled without filtration in late April last year. 13% stated alcohol. Natural cork. To be released at the end of this year or early 2023. Tasted at the domaine in July 2022. 2023-2034’ – Stephan Reinhardt, Wine Advocate, 91/100
Markus Molitor Haus Klosterberg Riesling 2022
‘The 2022 Riesling Haus Klosterberg (White Capsule) is very clear, precise and fresh as well as intense on the straightforward nose that intermingles ripe and floral Riesling aromas with crunchy slate notes. On the palate, this is a dense, tight and grippy dry Riesling with very attractive fruit and juiciness. This is a good value picture-book Mosel Riesling. 11.5% stated alcohol. Screw-cap closure. Tasted at the domaine in August 2024 from AP 35 23. 2024-2037’ – Stephan Reinhardt, Wine Advocate
Markus Molitor Zeltinger Sonnenuhr Kabinett 2020
‘The 2020 Riesling Zeltinger Sonnenuhr Kabinett (Golden Capsule) opens with a deep, pure and complex bouquet with concentrated fruit and lemon aromas intermingled with delicate and coolish slate aromas. Full-bodied, crystalline and fresh on the palate, this is a pure, saline and terribly fresh but mouth-watering ZSU Kabinett with fine and precise acidity and a tight and tensioned finish that needs some years to refine. 7.5% stated alcohol. Natural cork. Tasted at the domaine from AP 33 21 in July 2022. 2027-2070’ – Stephan Reinhardt, Wine Advocate, 95/100
