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Few producers reward patience quite like Markus Molitor. His Mosel Rieslings are famously exacting in their youth—chiseled, electric, and unapologetically precise—but time is where they truly find their voice. The 2018 vintage, now seven years removed from harvest, sits at a fascinating crossroads: still vibrant and energetic, yet newly expressive, with layers that only emerge once the sharp edges of youth begin to soften.
At this stage, the wines move beyond primary fruit and into something more nuanced and complete. Citrus and orchard fruit deepen into preserved lemon, stone fruit skin, and subtle spice; slate and saline notes rise to the surface; textures grow more supple without ever losing tension. The acidity that once dominated now feels integrated, carrying the wine rather than leading it. This is the moment when Molitor’s meticulous vineyard work and strict selection become unmistakably clear in the glass.
We’re highlighting a special offering of 2018 Markus Molitor wines now on sale—an ideal window to experience these bottles as they begin to enter their mature phase. Seven years is often the turning point for top Mosel Riesling, when complexity starts to rival freshness and the wines finally reveal their full architecture. These are bottles that are drinking beautifully today, yet remain capable of continued evolution for years to come.
For collectors, this is a rare chance to buy with confidence; for drinkers, it’s an invitation to see why Molitor’s wines are among the most age-worthy whites in the world. The 2018s capture that sweet spot between energy and depth, offering immediate pleasure alongside intellectual intrigue. Quantities are limited, and opportunities like this—properly aged Mosel Riesling, offered at a discount—don’t come around often.
Capsule Color:
White capsule wines are made in a dry tasting style, with imperceptible residual sugar and lean mineral intensity. Green capsules reflect what Germans refer to as a ‘feinherb’ or just slightly off-dry style, usually with 15-20g or more of residual sugar per liter. This is probably the most classical of all Mosel wine styles, where the sugar and acid interplay is so delicate and balanced that the overall taste is dizzyingly complex. Lastly, gold capsules indicate a truly off-dry and fruity style of Riesling with lush concentration and a fruit spectrum that spans all the way from orchard to tropical. All three of these styles can age beautifully for many years.
5% off any 3-5 in-stock bottles of 2018 vintage Molitor wines
10% off any 6+ in-stock bottles of 2018 vintage Molitor wines
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Sale ends Wednesday, January 7th at 9 am Pacific.
We have a wide selection of 2018 vintage Molitor wines on sale now, including:
Markus Molitor Alte Reben Riesling Trocken (White Capsule) 2018 750ml Displayed Price: $29, that’s $27.55 at 5% off and $26.10 at 10% off, 15 bottles in stock now
Stephan Reinhardt-Wine Advocate 92 points “The 2018 Riesling Alte Reben is perfectly ripe and pure on the intense yet elegant and refined, crystalline nose. Round and juicy on the palate, this is a rich and creamy-textured, finely tannic and phenolic Riesling with grip, but this old-vines Riesling cannot disguise its 2018 origin. Tasted at the domain in September 2020.”
Markus Molitor Graacher Domprobst Riesling Kabinett Trocken (White Capsule) 2018 750ml Displayed Price: $21.90, that’s $20.81 at 5% off and $19.71 at 10% off, 7 bottles in stock now
Stephan Reinhardt-Wine Advocate 90 points “The 2018 Riesling Graacher Domprobst Kabinett (White Capsule) is deep and flinty on the terroir-driven, dark and smoky nose. Full, round and juicy on the palate, this is a rich yet pure and slatey Domprobst with crunchy grip and fruity intensity. Tasted at the domain in September 2020.”
Markus Molitor Graacher Himmelreich Riesling Auslese *** Feinherb (Green Capsule) 2018 750ml Displayed Price: $119, that’s $113.05 at 5% off, $107.10 at 10% off, 24 bottles in stock now
Wine Advocate 97 Points “Typically bright and open on the nose, with crunchy and flinty slate aromas, the coolish and precise 2018 Riesling Graacher Himmelreich Auslese *** (Green Capsule) is a very fine and elegant, crystalline, fresh and precise, very long and salty Riesling with sweet and concentrated fruit and a long, intense and tightly structured finish. This is a laser-sword Riesling that needs about a decade to refine, yet it will deliver for sure. Tasted at the domain in September 2020.”
Markus Molitor Ockfener Bockstein Riesling Spatlese Trocken (White Capsule) 2018 750ml Displayed Price: $31.90, that’s $30.30 at 5% off and $28.71 at 10% off, 15 bottles in stock now
Decanter 93 points “Here we jump to an iconic Saar site, defined by Devonian slate, greywacke, some quartzitic sandstone and steepness. Wet stone, white currant, yellow apple and some lemon combine in a lovely vision of freshness. This is bright but even in this iconic Saar vineyard the warmth of 2018 is apparent. Yet the stoniness cuts through and leaves us with that lovely, racy zestiness we all crave from Riesling. These citrus notions linger and will you to take another sip. Wonderful.”
Markus Molitor Ockfener Bockstein Riesling Auslese *** Trocken (White Capsule) 2018 750ml Displayed Price: $99, that’s $94.05 at 5% off and $89.10 at 10% off, 19 bottles in stock now
Wine Advocate 94+ points “”The 2018 Riesling Ockfener Bockstein Auslese *** (White Capsule) is pure yet intense and concentrated on the coolish, flinty/slatey nose that displays a super ripe and elegant bouquet with fine phenols, great precision and fine mirabelle and raisin aromas. Intense and juicy on the palate, with a stony-mineral grip, this is a concentrated, rich and powerful yet still reductive and yeasty Bockstein with a tight, still somewhat astringent phenol structure and not much length and finesse. Difficult at this stage. Tasted at the domain in September 2020.”
Markus Molitor Zeltinger Sonnenuhr Riesling Kabinett (Gold Capsule) 2018 750ml Displayed Price: $28, that’s $26.60 at 5% off and $25.20 at 10% off, 16 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.”
Markus Molitor Alte Reben Saar Riesling Trocken (White Capsule) 2018 750ml Displayed Price: $29, that’s $27.55 at 5% off and $26.10 at 10% off, 7 bottles in stock now
Stephan Reinhardt-Wine Advocate 92+ points “The 2018 Riesling Alte Reben Saar offers a clear, pure and spicy, quite deep and intense bouquet with slatey pastry notes. Round and juicy on the palate, this is a complex, elegant and long yet still slightly astringent Riesling with enormous power and richness. The wine has a positive astringency that is crystalline and phenolic and asks for patience. Tasted at the domain in September 2020.”
Markus Molitor Urziger Wurzgarten Riesling Kabinett Trocken (White Capsule) 2018 750ml Displayed Price: $28, that’s $26.60 at 5% off and $25.20 at 10% off, 36+ bottles in stock now
James Suckling 92 points “Very fresh lemon-balm and blossom nose with no hint of the opulence of the vintage. Excellent balance of bright lemon and white-peach fruit with silky acidity and a whisker of unfermented grape sweetness that smoothes the touch of tannin. Drink or hold.”
Markus Molitor Urziger Wurzgarten Riesling Auslese*** (Gold Capsule) 2018 750ml Displayed Price: $99, that’s $94.05 at 5% off and $89.10 at 10% off, 8 bottles in stock now
Wine Advocate 99 points “Molitor’s 2018 Riesling Ürziger Würzgarten Auslese *** (Golden Capsule) opens with a concentrated, deep, clear and complex bouquet with crunchy stone and very fine lemon chutney aromas. Crystalline and clear on the palate, this is a playful, frisky, finessed and finely juicy, highly delicate and stimulatingly piquant and filigreed Würzgarten Auslese that represents very fine botrytis flavors and a great terroir. This is a gorgeous, weightless and pristine, persistently salty Riesling that can be aged for decades. Tasted at the domain in September 2020.”
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, 17 bottles in stock now
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.”
Markus Molitor Zeltinger Sonnenuhr Riesling Beerenauslese * (Gold Capsule) 2018 375ml Displayed Price: $119, that’s $113.05 at 5% off and $107.10 at 10% off, 8 bottles in stock now
Wine Advocate 100 points “The 2018 Riesling Zeltinger Sonnenuhr Beerenauslese * is precise, clear and highly refined on the subtle, aromatic and flinty nose that represents perfect, early botrytis. Sweet and piquant on the crystalline and salty palate, this is a pristine, perfectly round and balanced BA with great finesse and elegance. Absolutely fabulous and complete. If you like it sweet, you can already enjoy this BA, due to its finesse and balance, but I’d cellar it for 15-20 years before I’d even think of drinking it. Sold in 375-milliliter bottles. Tasted at the domain in September 2020.”
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