2020 Markus Molitor Erdener Treppchen Riesling Auslese *** (white capsule)

The 2020 Markus Molitor Erdener Treppchen Riesling Auslese *** (white capsule) is a benchmark Mosel Riesling from one of Germany’s most acclaimed producers. Sourced from the steep, red-slate terraces of the famed Erdener Treppchen vineyard, this Auslese *** showcases a rare balance of intensity, precision, and finesse. The white capsule denotes a dry style, making this an unusually powerful yet crystalline interpretation of Auslese that appeals to serious Riesling lovers and collectors alike. Marked by its three-star rating, this bottling represents a strict selection of the very best berries from the harvest. Old vines, low yields, and painstaking handwork in the vineyard converge to create a wine of remarkable depth and complexity. Rooted in the Mosel’s centuries-old Riesling tradition, it reflects both the historical significance of Erdener Treppchen and Markus Molitor’s modern drive to restore the Mosel’s reputation for world-class, long-lived dry Riesling.

Tasting Notes
In the glass, the 2020 Erdener Treppchen Riesling Auslese *** presents a bright, pale to medium lemon hue with glints of green and a striking, youthful brilliance. The nose is immediately expressive and layered, offering aromas of ripe citrus—Meyer lemon and lime zest—alongside white peach, apricot, and green mango. With air, notes of crushed slate, flint, jasmine, white flowers, and a subtle herbal lift emerge, underpinned by hints of honeycomb and a delicate, smoky minerality that is very typical of the red-slate soils of Erdener Treppchen. On the palate, this wine is dry (white capsule), concentrated, and tightly structured, with an impressive interplay between ripe fruit and razor-sharp acidity. Flavors of stone fruit, citrus oil, and crunchy green apple are layered over a core of saline, stony minerality. The three-star selection shows in the density and length: the mid-palate is compact yet expansive, with a fine, almost crystalline texture and a very long, precise finish that carries citrus, slate, and a faint, savory spice. Despite its intensity, the wine remains remarkably elegant and poised. The 2020 vintage’s vibrant acidity gives this Auslese *** significant aging potential; it will evolve beautifully over 15–25 years or more, gaining complexity with notes of dried fruits, wax, and petrol while retaining its structural backbone.

Production
This Riesling hails from the Erdener Treppchen, one of the Mosel’s most revered steep-slope vineyards, characterized by red, iron-rich slate soils that impart both warmth and a distinctive spicy, smoky minerality to the wines. The vines cling to precipitous slopes above the Mosel River, benefiting from excellent sun exposure and reflected light and warmth from the river below, which promotes perfect ripening while retaining vibrant acidity. Harvest is carried out entirely by hand—essential on such extreme slopes—with multiple selective passes through the vineyard to pick only optimally ripe, perfectly healthy berries for this three-star cuvée. In the cellar, Markus Molitor favors a minimally interventionist approach: gentle pressing, slow, natural fermentation—often with ambient yeasts—in large traditional oak foudres or stainless steel, and extended lees contact to enhance texture and complexity. The white capsule indicates a dry style, so fermentation is taken further to minimize residual sugar while preserving balance and transparency of terroir.

Food & Serving
The 2020 Erdener Treppchen Riesling Auslese *** (white capsule) is a versatile choice for refined cuisine. Its power, structure, and minerality make it an excellent partner for high-quality seafood—think turbot, halibut, scallops, lobster, or langoustines—especially when prepared with citrus, fennel, or delicate cream sauces. It also pairs beautifully with sushi and sashimi, ceviche, or fine freshwater fish such as trout and char. White meats like veal or free-range chicken, particularly with morel mushrooms or light, aromatic sauces, work well, as do dishes featuring asparagus, spring vegetables, or subtly spiced Asian preparations (ginger, lemongrass, light chili). Serve chilled but not too cold, ideally around 9–11°C (48–52°F), to allow the aromatics to unfurl. Decanting for 30–60 minutes in its youth can help open up the wine’s nose and soften its tightly wound structure; alternatively, slow oxygenation in the glass over a meal will reveal its many layers.

Producer
Markus Molitor took over his family’s Mosel estate in 1984 at just 20 years old, with the ambition of returning the region’s Riesling to its historical status among the world’s great wines. Today, Weingut Markus Molitor is one of Germany’s most respected and awarded wineries, with holdings in many of the Mosel’s top sites, including Erdener Treppchen, Wehlener Sonnenuhr, Zeltinger Sonnenuhr, and Ürziger Würzgarten. The estate is renowned for its meticulous selection, steep-slope viticulture, and a philosophy that emphasizes minimal intervention to let each vineyard’s character shine. Molitor’s distinctive capsule color system—white for dry, green for off-dry/feinherb, and gold for sweeter styles—has become a hallmark of clarity and precision for consumers. Across the Mosel, Markus Molitor is recognized as a defining figure of the region’s modern renaissance, with numerous top scores from international critics and a global reputation for ageworthy, terroir-driven Rieslings of exceptional purity and depth.

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