2017 Zeltinger Sonnenuhr Riesling Auslese** weisse Kapsel Markus Molitor, Mosel-Saar-Ruwer (0,75l)

Robert Parker's Wine Advocate - 2017 Zeltinger Sonnenuhr Riesling Auslese** weisse Kapsel, Markus Molitor

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. - Stephan Reinhardt, Jun. 2019

Mosel Fine Wines - 2017 Zeltinger Sonnenuhr Riesling Auslese** weisse Kapsel, Markus Molitor

The 2017er Zeltinger Sonnenuhr Auslese ** (White Capsule) offers a gorgeous nose of pear, caraway and gingery elements. The wine is delicately smooth yet multi-layered on the slightly powerful palate and leaves an intense yet refined feel in the long and lingering finish. The after-taste underlines the bolder side of this dry-tasting Riesling. 2027-2037. - Okt. 2018

Vinous - 2017 Zeltinger Sonnenuhr Riesling Auslese** weisse Kapsel, Markus Molitor

A headily high-toned nose offers citrus zests, apple distillate, honeysuckle and heliotrope. The palate really shows off vintage-typical acids, with grapefruit, lime and apple offering snap, tang and animation. Yet there is underlying gloss that complements the wine’s inner-mouth florality. The slate-lined finish is invigorating and impressively persistent, if for now lacking the mineral dimension so strikingly displayed by a majority of Molitor’s white capsule 2017s, and of which this site is memorably capable. I tasted this twice in late 2018, but it would be especially worth revisiting, since both experience with the site and the performances of other Molitor 2017s grown there suggest that there should be more to this “two-star” Auslese than currently meets the nose and palate. (So take my projection of age-worthiness, too, as provisional.) - David Schildknecht, Jan. 2020