Winemaker Markus Molitor
100% Riesling
This is a very approachable yet elegant German wine, lots of fruit - especially hints of apricot. This has just a hint of sweetness (Fineherb is another German term for Half Dry). There is a touch of spice and fatness to the wine which means that does not suffer from austerity. Fine for most tastes.
Markus Molitor is only 40, but he has been running his family estate for 20 years now. During this period he’s increased the vineyard area to 40 ha, with holdings in some of the best vineyards in the middle Mosel, and one in the Saar. His approach is terroir focused, and he only uses natural yeasts. Wines are matured in a mix of stainless steel and large (neutral) oak barrels – Molitor is convinced that all wines should spend some time in oak and is expanding his cellars so he can have more barrels.
In 1984, at the age of just 20, Markus Molitor assumed responsibility for the parental wine estate, then just 7 ½ acres. Despite his youth, his vision was very clearly defined and ambitious: to help restore the wines of the Moselle valley to their former glory, with unmistakeable Riesling wines true to their individual vineyard identity (terroir) and of extreme longevity. Precise quality of work both in vineyard and cellar - without any compromises - together with absolute respect for the natural products grape and wine are his guidelines. Each vineyard, each vintage should express itself in taste. He wants his wines to have structure and depth of taste as well as to inspire with the freshness and brilliance typical of the Moselle.
Depending on the vintage conditions, annual production varies between 200.000 and 300.000 bottles, of which over 90% are of the 0,75 litre size. In addition, around 20.000 bottles of sparkling wine (Sekt) are produced at the estate. To say the Middle Mosel vineyards are on steep slopes would be akin to saying Chateau Petrus is a wee bit pricy. The steepest slopes are at an 80%gradient, or 4 in 5 and therefore can not be worked by any machines. Only organic material is used to fertilize and enrich the soil. The ground is worked sparingly. Very important is the proportion of leaves to grapes - these high canopies enable the optimum nourishment for the few bunches per vine. The yeilds are often tiny: 10-55 hl/ha according to the vineyard, the individual parcel, the density of plantation and the specific vintage.
Of course Markus benefits from the unique slate soils of the Mosel. Slate (schiste) is not only an excellent conserver of heat, but is distinguished by very specific local mineral compositions. Blue slate, grey slate and red slate are the most well known forms, but there are many in between and the subsoil can vary hugely. The slate influences the minerality, the aromatics and the sweetness-acidity structure of the harvest and so of the wine.