Weingut Markus Molitor

Pinot Noir Brauneberger Mandelgraben* - 2017 - Markus Molitor

Germany

MOLITOR Markus

100% Pinot Noir, from vines cultivated with sustainable methods and planted at the Brauneberger Mandelgraben vineyard site, on deep soils with a high proportion of finely decomposed slate. The vineyard is worked meticulously, with harvesting done by hand and rigorous sorting, to select only perfectly healthy, extremely ripe grapes. Vinification: the grapes are almost entirely de-stemmed, followed by four weeks of maceration in wooden vats with indigenous yeasts, gentle pressing in a vertical press, and 24 months of maturation in French oak barrels.

Markus Molitor is undoubtedly the most emblematic figure of Germany’s Mosel wine region. He embodies the continuation of a winegrowing tradition spanning eight generations – centuries of men and women, nurturing the same family vineyards now under his care. Today, as the head of Weingut Markus Molitor, Markus oversees some 38 ha of vines. How far we have come since his first vintage in 1984, when a 20-year-old Markus took over just 7 ha of Riesling. But his precise, meticulous work, in the vineyard and winery alike, soon earned him accolades from the world’s leading wine guides. Today, German Mosel owes its prestige around the globe largely to this man. His achievement is all the more remarkable considering that his plots are worked entirely by hand, on vertiginously steep slopes (up to 80%). To classify his exceptional crus he uses a 3-star system, noting the number of stars on each wine. The estate produces some insanely complex Pinot Noir, which represent only 3% of the vineyard. What’s it like in the glass? A revelation.