Molitor in Zeltingen
Your Three-Day Discount Starts Now
Your Three-Day Discount Starts Now
After 35 years at the helm of the family business, Markus Molitor remains one of the most respected winemakers in the world. With broad holdings, Molitor crafts dozens of wines each vintage. He believes that every single sub-parcel and selective pick should be vinified to its utmost potential. What results is a deeply rewarding if sprawling portfolio.
Whether white capsule (dry), green capsule (off-dry), or gold capsule (fruity to nobly sweet), Markus’ wines represent some of the Mosel’s best. And thanks to his extensive holdings, Molitor offers German Riesling lovers with a passport to explore many of the region’s most important vineyards. How to choose? Let us guide you through the wines in our village-by-village tour on our three-day sale!
Zeltingen-Rachtig:
In municipality of Zeltingen-Rachtig (we’ll mostly discuss in terms of its village of Zeltingen for simplicity’s sake) Markus Molitor works with three vineyard sites. It’s an area long loved by Mosel wine enthusiasts, including us, and not just because it’s home to Selbach-Oster’s winery.
Here we find the vineyard of Zeltinger Sonnenuhr, which shares the sundial and famous Devonian blue slate of Wehlener Sonnenuhr, which we discussed last week. The wines from this site offer a deep mineral core. This soil type offers excellent heat holding and poor water retention, which aids ripening and forces the vines to dig deep for water and nutrients.
Zeltinger Sonnenuhr is of particular interest to insiders because of the high number of ungrafted vines. After WWI, an efficiency scheme was rolled out to consolidate plots through exchanges between grape growers and to improve roadways and access. This program, named “Flurbereinigung,” occurred over many years and resulted in massive replanting of vines. There are scattered parcels that were spared from streamlining, and now represent some of the oldest, ungrafted vines in the region. According to Molitor, the vineyard results in wines of “incredibly elegant and delicate, with an abundant interplay of flavors and filigree acid structure.”
Zeltinger Himmelreich towers above Mosel at a somewhat higher elevation than its siblings. The bulk of it sits above the village of Zeltingen. With its deep eroded slate and gravel soils, Himmelreich offers juicy and elegant wines that tend to show notes of “yellow fruits, with subtly piquant aromas and fine, playful acidity,” per Molitor.
Zeltinger Schlossberg is a steep site. Its 52 acres have a dark slate soil over decomposed slate and loam. This is a cooler site being situated back from the Mosel River and closer to the forest. The wines show concentration with “animating acidity and mineral finishes,” per Molitor.
We’re offering all of our Molitor wines from the village of Zeltingen on our three-day sale. Stock up and explore the terroir-driven wines from one of German’s most famous winemakers!
Whether white capsule (dry), green capsule (off-dry), or gold capsule (fruity to nobly sweet), Markus’ wines represent some of the Mosel’s best. And thanks to his extensive holdings, Molitor offers German Riesling lovers with a passport to explore many of the region’s most important vineyards. How to choose? Let us guide you through the wines in our village-by-village tour on our three-day sale!
Zeltingen-Rachtig:
In municipality of Zeltingen-Rachtig (we’ll mostly discuss in terms of its village of Zeltingen for simplicity’s sake) Markus Molitor works with three vineyard sites. It’s an area long loved by Mosel wine enthusiasts, including us, and not just because it’s home to Selbach-Oster’s winery.
Here we find the vineyard of Zeltinger Sonnenuhr, which shares the sundial and famous Devonian blue slate of Wehlener Sonnenuhr, which we discussed last week. The wines from this site offer a deep mineral core. This soil type offers excellent heat holding and poor water retention, which aids ripening and forces the vines to dig deep for water and nutrients.
Zeltinger Sonnenuhr is of particular interest to insiders because of the high number of ungrafted vines. After WWI, an efficiency scheme was rolled out to consolidate plots through exchanges between grape growers and to improve roadways and access. This program, named “Flurbereinigung,” occurred over many years and resulted in massive replanting of vines. There are scattered parcels that were spared from streamlining, and now represent some of the oldest, ungrafted vines in the region. According to Molitor, the vineyard results in wines of “incredibly elegant and delicate, with an abundant interplay of flavors and filigree acid structure.”Zeltinger Himmelreich towers above Mosel at a somewhat higher elevation than its siblings. The bulk of it sits above the village of Zeltingen. With its deep eroded slate and gravel soils, Himmelreich offers juicy and elegant wines that tend to show notes of “yellow fruits, with subtly piquant aromas and fine, playful acidity,” per Molitor.
Zeltinger Schlossberg is a steep site. Its 52 acres have a dark slate soil over decomposed slate and loam. This is a cooler site being situated back from the Mosel River and closer to the forest. The wines show concentration with “animating acidity and mineral finishes,” per Molitor.
We’re offering all of our Molitor wines from the village of Zeltingen on our three-day sale. Stock up and explore the terroir-driven wines from one of German’s most famous winemakers!
5% off any 3-5 in-stock Molitor selections from Zeltingen
10% off any 6 or more in-stock Molitor selections from Zeltingen
Discount will not display online or in your cart,
We will adjust your invoice before processing your charge.
Sale ends Thursday, July 25th at 9 am Pacific.
10% off any 6 or more in-stock Molitor selections from Zeltingen
Discount will not display online or in your cart,
We will adjust your invoice before processing your charge.
Sale ends Thursday, July 25th at 9 am Pacific.
We offer nine Molitor wines from Zeltingen, including:
“2018 is another extraordinary vintage for Markus Molitor.” -Stephan Reinhardt, Wine Advocate
Markus Molitor Zeltinger Sonnenuhr Riesling Spatlese Trocken (White Capsule) 2018 750ml Displayed Price: $36, that’s $34.20 at 5% off and $32.40 at 10% off, 27 bottles in stock now
Stephan Reinhardt-Wine Advocate 93+ points “The 2018 Riesling Zeltinger Sonnenuhr Spätlese (White Capsule) offers a clear, fresh, bright and aromatic bouquet of white mandarins and mirabelles intertwined with the pure and refreshing tone of crushed stones and herbs. This bouquet gets you into the wine immediately. Round and intense on the succulent palate, this is a medium-bodied, elegant and very charming Sonnenuhr Spätlese with rather mild acidity but a serious terroir expression on the finish. Tasted at the domain in September 2020.”
This is the only listing in the USA today!
Markus Molitor Zeltinger Sonnenuhr Riesling Auslese ** Trocken (White Capsule) 2017 750ml Displayed Price: $66, that’s $62.70 at 5% off and $59.40 at 10% off, 36+ bottles in stock now
Stephan Reinhardt-Wine Advocate 97 points “From 80- to 120-year-old vines, the intensely citrus-yellow colored 2017 Riesling Zeltinger Sonnenuhr Auslese ** (White Capsule) offers an absurdly deep, highly intense, complex and concentrated bouquet with lime confit, perfectly ripe white stone fruits and flinty notes of crushed stones and lemon zest. On the palate, this is a dense, rich and powerful yet highly elegant and seamlessly textured Sonnenuhr with very fine tannins and a tightly woven structure that channels the immense power of this dry Riesling. “Physical drinking starts here,” Markus Molitor says with a smile, and indeed, this is a spectacularly strong and concentrated Riesling. Despite its power, density and tension, the 2017 is super elegant and silky and reveals perfectly ripe, interwoven acidity and spicy piquancy. This is a fascinating Riesling with outstanding finesse and a very long, promising finish. This is one of the finest two-starred Auslesen I have tasted from Markus Molitor, and it kisses the three-star level. I can only recommend buying some cases and enjoying this beauty over the next 20 to 30 years. Tasted in March and April 2019.”
This is the only listing in the USA today!
“After a stunning 2018 vintage, 2019 is another top vintage for Markus Molitor… Molitor’s 2019 Rieslings are bright, precise, laser-sharp and super clear. They exhibit ripe and aromatic fruit and precise terroir flavors that make all the wines incredibly distinctive… Only a few of the top three-starred 2019 Auslesen contain botrytized grapes, and even the Beerenauslesen are crystalline clear and piquant and by far not as rich and sweet as this category is often interpreted.” -Stephan Reinhardt, Wine Advocate
Markus Molitor Zeltinger Himmelreich Riesling Kabinett Feinherb (Green Capsule) 2019 750ml Displayed Price: $26.50, that’s $25.18 at 5% off and $23.85 at 10% off, 36+ bottles in stock nowStephan Reinhardt-Wine Advocate 94 points “The 2019 Zeltinger Himmelreich Kabinett (Green Capsule) is beautifully clear, fresh and flinty on the complex and crunchy, slate-driven bouquet of bright fruits and crushed stones. On the palate, this is a mouth-filling, juicy, vibrantly fresh and crisp, stimulating and piquant Kabinett with gorgeous slatey grip and a salivating finish. A fabulous Kabinett from 40+-year-old Riesling vines. Tasted in May 2021.”
This is the only listing in the USA today!
Markus Molitor Zeltinger Himmelreich Riesling Auslese ** Feinherb (Green Capsule) 2016 750ml Displayed Price: $59, that’s $56.05 at 5% off and $53.10 at 10% off, 28 bottles in stock now
Stephan Reinhardt-Wine Advocate 97 points “The 2016 Riesling Zeltinger Himmelreich Auslese ** (Green Capsule) is terribly fine, pure and fresh but also perfectly ripe and rich on the nose without losing precision. Round and highly elegant on the palate, with tropical fruit flavors and just the perfect amount of sweetness, this is a great, vital Himmelreich with superb finesse, purity, mineral tension and bright fruit notes in the long and beautifully slatey finish. This is a gorgeous, exciting Riesling—very stimulating.”
Markus Molitor Zeltinger Sonnenuhr Riesling Auslese *** Feinherb (Green Capsule) 2016 750ml Displayed Price: $99, that’s $94.05 at 5% off and $89.10 at 10% off, 23 bottles in stock now
Stephan Reinhardt-Wine Advocate 99 points “From over 100-year-old vines and fermented in an eight-year-old 2,000-liter Stockinger vat and 15% in small oak barrels, the 2016 Riesling Zeltinger Sonnenuhr Auslese *** (Green Capsule) offers a deep and concentrated, terribly fresh and oaky nose. Round and lush on the palate, this is a very elegant, intense and refined Sonnenuhr with super lush fruit, very fine tannins and ripe acidity. Molitor is extremely proud of all his Sonnenuhr bottlings, but they demand a much longer period of bottle aging. The richness (which is still elegant and fine) and the oak flavors (which are discreet but present) will surely integrate, so the wine has huge potential. Bottled in September 2017; tasted March 2018.”
This is the only listing in the USA today!
Markus Molitor Zeltinger Sonnenuhr Riesling Kabinett 2018 750ml Displayed Price: $28, that’s $26.60 at 5% off and $25.20 at 10% off, 24 bottles in stock now
Stephan Reinhardt-Wine Advocate 92+ points “The 2018 Riesling Zeltinger Sonnenuhr Kabinett (Golden Capsule) is intense and aromatic on the nose that displays a concentrated and ripe stone-fruit aroma with reductive, sulfuric notes. Round and silky on the palate, this is a crystalline, salty-piquant and structured Kabinett with intense and sweet yet elegant fruit and a promising long and grippy finish. Tasted at the domain in September 2020.”
This is the only listing in the USA today!
Markus Molitor Zeltinger Schlossberg Riesling Auslese ** (Gold Capsule) 2017 375ml Displayed Price: $29, that’s $27.55 at 5% off and $26.10 at 10% off, 36+ half-bottles in stock now
Stephan Reinhardt-Wine Advocate 97 points “Exclusively filled in 375-milliliter bottles (roughly 11,000 of them), the 2017 Riesling Zeltinger Schlossberg Auslese ** (Golden Capsule) is clear and bright in color and bouquet, intermingling citrus fruits with crushed slate aromas. Lush and highly delicate on the palate, this is a filigreed, very elegant, piquant and finessed Auslese with fine botrytis concentration and a long, salty finish. Great balance and finesse here. Tasted in April 2019.”
Markus Molitor Zeltinger Sonnenuhr Riesling Auslese ** (Gold Capsule) 2019 750ml Displayed Price: $69, that’s $65.55 at 5% off and $62.10 at 10% off, 22 bottles in stock now
Stephan Reinhardt-Wine Advocate 96 points “The 2019 Zeltinger Sonnenuhr Auslese ** (Golden Capsule) exhibits a white-golden color along with a clear, bright, flinty and lemon-scented bouquet of ripe and healthy citrus fruits intertwined with finely crushed slate aromas. Mouth-filling, fresh and highly delicate on the palate, this is a finessed and stimulating Auslese with hidden intensity and complexity and currently firm phenolic grip with crystalline acidity and lingering salinity. Tasted from AP 27 20 in May 2021.”
This is the only listing in the USA today!
Markus Molitor Zeltinger Himmelreich Riesling Auslese *** (Gold Capsule) 2017 750ml Displayed Price: $99, that’s $94.05 at 5% off and $89.10 at 10% off, 17 bottles in stock now
Stephan Reinhardt-Wine Advocate 98 points “The 2017 Riesling Zeltinger Himmelreich Auslese *** (Golden Capsule) offers a concentrated, super precise and refreshing bouquet of lemon chutney, candied grapefruit zests and spicy slate aromas. What piquancy and precision! It’s already sharp as a laser beam on the nose. The palate is concentrated, highly refined and elegant but nervy and salty in the vibrating underground. This Auslese has a seamless texture and reveals great finesse with stimulating salinity and crystal clear, even filigreed structure. This is an amazing, Eiswein-like Auslese that will last four or more decades. It is also a historical first for Markus Molitor, who hasn’t produced a three-starred Auslese in this cru before. Tasted at the domain in April 2019.”
This is the only listing in the USA today!
Markus Molitor Zeltinger Schlossberg Riesling Auslese *** (Gold Capsule) 2019 750ml Displayed Price: $119, that’s $113.05 at 5% off and $107.10 at 10% off, 24 bottles in stock now
Stephan Reinhardt-Wine Advocate 99 points “The lemon-yellow to golden 2019 Zeltinger Schlossberg Auslese *** (Golden Capsule) offers a fascinating fresh and concentrated nose with very fine berry and lemon aromas intertwined with crunchy blue-slate notes. Lush, refined and piquant on the palate, this is a highly elegant and stimulating Auslese with a dense yet tensioned texture and great terroir expression. A fabulous, highly stimulating Riesling whose sweetness is just ripe and concentrated Riesling fruit! Tasted in May 2021.”
This is the only listing in the USA today!
Markus Molitor Zeltinger Sonnenuhr Riesling Auslese *** (Gold Capsule) 2019 750ml Displayed Price: $128, that’s $121.60 at 5% off and $115.20 at 10% off, 9 bottles in stock now
Stephan Reinhardt-Wine Advocate 100 points “The golden-colored 2019 Zeltinger Sonnenuhr Auslese *** (Golden Capsule) opens with an intense yet highly finessed and elegant bouquet of perfectly ripe, tropical fruits intermixed with very fine weathered slate aromas. This fascinating combination of richness and finesse is also mirrored on the palate, which is immediately lush and round, then intense and concentrated but always lifted and refined by this beautifully crystalline and grippy slate structure. This Auslese is still a raw diamond but will surely develop to a spellbinding character over the years. Another fabulous 2019 Auslese from Markus Molitor’s most loved vineyard. Tasted in May 2021.”
“In 2017, Markus Molitor has handcrafted another amazing, breathtaking series of Rieslings…, whose peaks are no less than 19 very fine (or two-starred) and 21 choice (or three-starred) Auslesen plus six Beerenauslesen (including a one-starred Zeltinger Sonnenuhr), are crystal clear, precise, lean, fresh, elegant and light-footed yet intense and concentrated and provided with acidity that is sharp as a laser beam.” -Stephan Reinhardt, Wine Advocate
Markus Molitor Zeltinger Sonnenuhr Riesling Beerenauslese * (Gold Capsule) 2017 750ml Displayed Price: $399, that’s $379.05 at 5% off and $359.10 at 10% off, 12 bottles in stock now
Markus Molitor Zeltinger Sonnenuhr Riesling Beerenauslese * (Gold Capsule) 2017 375ml Displayed Price: $199, that’s $189.05 at 5% off and $179.10 at 10% off, 17 half-bottles in stock now
Stephan Reinhardt-Wine Advocate 100 points “The 2017 Riesling Zeltinger Sonnenuhr Beerenauslese * (Golden Capsule) is intense, fine and flinty on the highly precise nose with crunchy slate and grapefruit notes. Dense and concentrated on the palate, it has sweet but elegant and highly refined fruit intertwined with salty-finessed slate salinity and delicate acidity. This is a beautifully balanced BA from Molitor’s most important grand cru vineyard. Many readers might prefer its sweet and charming richness to the delicate finesse and crystallinity of the Würzgarten BA, which will be ready to drink sooner. But this Zeltinger Sonnenuhr in turn will gain even more finesse and drinkability over the years. Tasted at the domain in April 2019.”
These are the only listings in the USA today!
Markus Molitor Zeltinger Sonnenuhr Riesling Trockenbeerenauslese (Gold Capsule) 2019 750ml Displayed Price: $499, that’s $474.05 at 5% off and $449.10 at 10% off, 10 bottles in stock now
Markus Molitor Zeltinger Sonnenuhr Riesling Trockenbeerenauslese (Gold Capsule) 2019 375ml Displayed Price: $249, that’s $236.55 at 5% off and $224.10 at 10% off, 18 half-bottles in stock now
Stephan Reinhardt-Wine Advocate 97 points “The 2019 Zeltinger Sonnenuhr Trockenbeerenauslese is deep, intense and flinty on the nose that exhibits clear, ripe and concentrated fruit with very fine botrytis notes intertwined with aromas of crushed slate and candied lemon rind. Round and elegant on the seamless palate, this is a rich yet finessed and elegant, super tensioned and mineral TBA with electrifying acidity and a highly stimulating finish. There are not many TBAs around that are as digestible as this one, which is really extraordinary. 6.5% alcohol. Tasted in May 2021 (AP 29 20).”
Shop our thirty Molitor wines from Zeltingen on sale now on our webstore!
Don’t miss our additional sale going on now:
Envínate
5% off any 3-5 in-stock wines from Envínate
10% off any 6 or more in-stock wines from Envínate
Discount will not display online or in your cart,
We will adjust your invoice before processing your charge.
Envínate sale ends Tuesday, July 23rd at 9 am Pacific.