Molitor, Markus Erdener Pralat Riesling Auslese 2018

Markus Molitor Erdener Prälat Riesling Auslese *** White Capsule 2018 is a breathtaking expression of one of the Mosel’s most coveted grand cru sites. Crafted from old vines rooted in steep, red slate terraces above the village of Erden, this is a Riesling of staggering depth, clarity and precision. The rare three-star Auslese designation and white capsule signal an exceptionally concentrated yet finely structured wine, made only in outstanding vintages and from meticulously selected grapes.

Tasting Notes
In the glass, the 2018 Erdener Prälat Auslese *** shows a shimmering golden hue that hints at both richness and concentration. The nose is intensely complex and endlessly nuanced: layers of tropical fruit, ripe stone fruits and citrus are interwoven with notes of fine tobacco leaf, warm slate, and a subtle hint of rum and exotic spice. Despite its opulence, the aromatic profile remains crystalline and precise, with a strong sense of the red slate terroir running through it. On the palate, this Riesling is silk-textured, full-bodied and remarkably powerful, yet retains a striking elegance. Ripe fruit intensity—think mango, pineapple, peach and candied citrus—is perfectly balanced by a piercing, slate-driven minerality and vibrant acidity. The wine is warm and rich, but never heavy, finishing with extraordinary length, complexity and finesse. The structure and concentration suggest exceptional aging potential: properly cellared, this 2018 will evolve beautifully over 20–30 years or more, developing additional layers of honey, dried fruit and smoky mineral nuances while maintaining its underlying purity.

Production
The Erdener Prälat vineyard is one of the Mosel’s true grand crus: a tiny, steep, south-to-southwest facing amphitheater of red Devonian slate that captures maximum sunshine and reflects heat back onto the vines, allowing Riesling to achieve perfect ripeness while retaining vivid acidity. The vines cling to these dramatic slopes, and harvesting is done entirely by hand, often in multiple passes (selections) to pick only the most pristine, perfectly ripe and partially botrytised berries for the rare Auslese *** bottlings. In the cellar, Markus Molitor follows a low-intervention philosophy: gentle pressing, slow and cool fermentation—often with natural yeasts—plus long lees contact help preserve the wine’s clarity, structure and depth. The white capsule denotes a style that, while rich and concentrated, is vinified with a focus on precision, balance and mineral transparency rather than overt sweetness.

Food & Serving
This is a contemplative wine that shines with refined dishes. Pair it with foie gras, roasted lobster, scallops in a rich beurre blanc, or delicately spiced Asian cuisine (such as Thai or Vietnamese dishes with ginger and lemongrass). It also works beautifully with mature soft cheeses, blue cheeses, and complex poultry dishes like roast duck with citrus glaze. Serve slightly chilled, around 9–11°C (48–52°F), to allow the aromatics to fully express themselves. A gentle decant of 30–60 minutes can help the wine open up in its youth, but it will also unfold gradually in the glass over the course of a long meal.

Producer
Markus Molitor took over his family estate in the Mosel at the age of 20, driven by a clear vision: to revive the traditional, terroir-expressive style of Mosel Riesling at the very highest level. Today, Weingut Markus Molitor is one of the region’s most acclaimed producers, farming steep slate vineyards along the Mosel, Saar and Ruwer with painstaking attention to detail. The estate is known for its rigorous parcel selection, late harvesting and precise vinification, which together yield an impressive range of Rieslings from bone-dry to nobly sweet. Molitor’s color-coded capsule system (white for dry, green for off-dry, and gold for sweeter styles) has become a hallmark of the estate, and his wines—especially from top sites like Erdener Prälat—regularly receive some of the highest critical accolades in Germany, reinforcing his status as a benchmark producer in the Mosel and beyond.

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