2019 Weingut Markus Molitor Zeltinger Sonnenuhr Auslese *** (Golden Capsule)
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| Type of Wine | White |
|---|---|
| Country | Germany |
| Region | |
| Winery | |
| Vintage | 2019 |
| Grape | |
| Content (Alc) | 0.75 ltr (8%) |
| Drink window | 2026 - 2075 |
| Available as of | Jul 11, 2025 |
Low Stock
Only 1 left
Description
background from Weingut Markus Molitor and Zeltinger Sonnenuhr
Markus Molitor heads one of the leading estates in the Mosel region. Since taking over in the 1980s, he has worked uncompromisingly to express terroir and purity in Riesling. The Zeltinger Sonnenuhr is one of his flagship vineyards: a steep, southwest-facing vineyard with old vines on weathered slate, ideal for intense yet refined fruit.
location and soil of this top vineyard
The Zeltinger Sonnenuhr is renowned for its mineral character, originating from the poor, stony soils of gray and blue slate. Thanks to the high altitude and perfect sun exposure, the grapes ripen slowly, resulting in complexity, fine acidity, and aromatic precision. These conditions make the plot particularly suitable for Auslese-level wines with an energetic style.
vinification and style of the Auslese*** Golden Capsule
The Auslese*** is the result of an extremely strict selection of fully ripe, partially noble rot-affected grapes. Hand harvesting, gentle pressing, and slow spontaneous fermentation form the foundation. Maturation takes place in large wooden vats and stainless steel, without the addition of sweeteners or other additives. The "Golden Capsule" designation denotes the highest quality within the Auslese category, emphasizing concentration and finesse.
2019 vintage in the Mosel
The 2019 vintage is considered one of the most successful recent Riesling harvests. Cool nights, a long growing season, and perfect late summer conditions produced healthy, perfectly ripe grapes with a pronounced aromatic profile and remarkably fresh acidity. The balance between ripeness and vibrancy is exceptionally good this year.
odor, color and flavor profile
The wine displays a brilliant golden yellow color. The nose reveals ripe tropical fruits like mango, pineapple, and apricot, floral notes of acacia blossom, orange peel, and a subtle mineral note of wet slate. On the palate, it is simultaneously rich and refined, with layered sweetness, vibrant acidity, and a long, lingering finish. The concentration is impressive, yet never heavy—elegance is paramount.
reviews by international wine journalists
This Auslese*** has received exceptional acclaim worldwide. One of the leading wine critics awarded it the maximum score of 100 points and described it as:
"Crystal clear, extremely precise and almost architecturally structured – a wine with the potential for decades of aging and evolution."
Another renowned taster called it "a monumental Auslese with vibrant acidity, ripe stone fruit, and a rare combination of power and finesse." The wine is praised for its balance, purity, and ability to maintain tension despite its rich style.
storage potential and serving tips
This wine is excellent to enjoy young for its fruity expression, but it also deserves to age. Ageing potential: 30 to 40 years . Serve at 7–9°C in a large glass to fully express its complex aromas and structure.
Would you like to order Markus Molitor wines online?
The wine is stored in our climate-controlled Wine Warehouse, and if you pick it up, you'll often receive a nice discount. You'll see your discount immediately when you select "Pick up" at checkout. We're located in Dordrecht, just off the A16 motorway, with ample parking. Click here for our address.
Any fact sheets or other information and/or photos can be found in the tab: Attachment.
The reviews from international wine journalists such as Parker, Suckling and Vinous can be read in full on the website via the links next to the image
Need advice on finding the perfect wine to pair with your dish? Click here for our exclusive Sommelier. Free for Grand Cru customers.
wine and food pairings with 2019 Zeltinger Sonnenuhr Auslese***
1. Foie gras with brioche and quince jelly
The rich structure of the wine goes perfectly with the creamy liver and the sweet-fruity contrast of the jelly.
2. Thai green curry with coconut and shrimp
The aromatic intensity and tropical fruit notes complement the spicy and creamy character of the dish beautifully.
3. Blue cheese with roasted walnuts and figs
The cheese's power is tamed by the wine's sweetness and acidity, while the nutty notes reinforce each other.
4. Poached pear with saffron cream and caramelized orange
The elegant fruitiness of the dessert reflects the layers of flavor in the wine without being overpowering.
5. Pineapple and lime cream tarte tatin
The wine's fresh acidity balances the caramelized fruit, making it light and refreshing.
6. Oriental duck breast with hoisin sauce and five spices
The wine provides a lively counterbalance to the spicy, savoury and sweet components of this powerful dish.
Specifications
| Available as of | Jul 11, 2025 |
|---|---|
| Type of Wine | White |
| Country | Germany |
| Region | Moezel |
| Winery | Markus Molitor |
| Grape | Riesling |
| Biological certified | No |
| Natural wine | No |
| Vegan | No |
| Vintage | 2019 |
| Drinking as of | 2026 |
| Drinking till | 2075 |
| Alcohol % | 8 |
| Alcohol free/low | No |
| Content | 0.75 ltr |
| Oak aging | Yes |
| Sparkling | No |
| Dessert wine | No |
| Closure | Cork |
| Parker rating | 100 |
| Tasting Profiles | Aromatisch, Bloemig, Complex, Droog, Fris, Fruitig, Mineraal, Strak, Wit fruit |
| Drink moments | Indruk maken, Lekker luxe |
Professional Reviews
Parker
The Wine Advocate
RP 100
Reviewed by:
Stephan Reinhardt
Release Price:
NA
Drink Date:
2026 - 2080
The golden-colored 2019 Zeltinger Sonnenuhr Auslese *** (Golden Capsule) opens with an intense yet highly finessed and elegant bouquet of perfectly ripe, tropical fruits intermixed with very fine weathered slate aromas. This fascinating combination of richness and finesse is also mirrored on the palate, which is immediately lush and round, then intense and concentrated but always lifted and refined by this beautifully crystalline and grippy slate structure. This Auslese is still a raw diamond but will surely develop to a spellbinding character over the years. Another fabulous 2019 Auslese from Markus Molitor’s most loved vineyard. Tasted in May 2021.
After a stunning 2018 vintage, 2019 is another top vintage for Markus Molitor, who holds numerous grand cru sites in the Middle Mosel between Traben-Trarbach and Bernkastel plus, just recently, the Thörnicher Ritsch as well as in the Saar Valley. Molitor's 2019 Rieslings are bright, precise, laser-sharp and super clear. They exhibit ripe and aromatic fruit and precise terroir flavors that make all the wines incredibly distinctive. You can't mix up the sites, if you are trained enough, and certainly you also can't mix up the predicates, which are clearly defined, even though a classic Kabinett in modern times is always a downgraded Spätlese or even Auslese, if the category is related to must weight and not to style alone. Only a few of the top three-starred 2019 Auslesen contain botrytized grapes, and even the Beerenauslesen are crystalline clear and piquant and by far not as rich and sweet as this category is often interpreted.
After a mild and wet winter, warm, dry and sunny weather in April ensured rapid budding of the vines. And excellent conditions for flowering in early to mid-June were in place, setting the stage for a good vintage.
The friendly spring weather was followed by one of the warmest summers on record, with abundant sunshine hours and extremely low rainfall. Due to the low level of pruning (low yields) as well as the dense planting of the plots (deep rooting), Molitor reports that "the long drought during the summer could not harm the ripening process of the grapes. Various vineyards in our extensive portfolio of sites were also favored by rains and were thus able to show an excellent water balance in the soil for this year of low rainfall."
Occasional sunburn on the berries had to be accepted as a natural yield reduction, and ample rainfall at the end of July and beginning of August came at just the right time to support and advance the ripening phase of the grapes.
"The development of the acid structure and must weights raised hopes for a classic Mosel Riesling vintage," Molitor reports. "The combination of warm, sunny days and cool nights at the beginning of fall in mid-September provided ideal harvest conditions and resulted in excellent aroma development in the berries. At this point, we were able to harvest physiologically ripe, healthy grapes with high extract levels and immense concentration for our dry and off-dry wines."
This was followed at the beginning of October by a "warm, humid weather period," which resulted in "highly ripe grape material being attacked by botrytis," which was "ideal for our noble sweet specialties."
Due to highly selective hand-picking by a huge and experienced vineyard team, all quality levels could be harvested between September 20 and October 28. The gentle processing of the grapes and musts, the slow spontaneous fermentation and long lees aging in large oak foudres until September of the following year resulted in substantial, very concentrated, stimulatingly mineral as well as finessed wines with ripe, yet fine yellow fruit aromas. The aging capacity of the Rieslings as well as the Pinot Blancs and Chardonnay is again tremendous.
The 2017 Pinot Noirs are all full-bodied, deep and concentrated yet sometimes seem to be a little bit too extracted for my personal taste. Some of the wines are pretty oak-dominated in the first hours, even days, so the right handing is crucial for appreciating the wines that start a bit hard but will smooth out after years in the bottle. For now, I prefer the 2016s to the 2017s and can't wait for the 2018s, which will be released later this year or, even more probably, in spring next year.
Published: Jun 10, 2021
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Wijnhuis
Markus Molitor is a German winemaker based in the Mosel, Germany. The winery is known for producing high-quality Rieslings, and Markus Molitor is considered one of the most innovative winemakers in the region.
History by Markus Molitor
The Molitor family has a deep-rooted history in winemaking that spans many generations. Markus Molitor represents the eighth generation of the Molitor legacy. The family's involvement in wine growing in the Moselle goes back to the 18th century. Markus Molitor officially took over the family estate in 1984 at the age of 20. Located in the Mosel wine region, the estate features steep vineyards along the Mosel River, a characteristic feature of the region. The Mosel is known for its steep, terraced vineyards. The slopes ensure optimal sunlight exposure and are an integral part of the unique terroir of the wines produced in this region.
Production by Markus Molitor
Markus Molitor has consciously chosen to focus on the Riesling grape variety, which is particularly well suited to the cool climate and slate soils of the Mosel. Riesling is known for its expressive aromatics, acidity and ability to reflect the terroir. Under the leadership of Markus Molitor, the estate underwent significant expansion and modernization. New vineyards were acquired and existing ones were carefully managed to ensure the highest quality fruit. Markus Molitor produces a wide range of Rieslings covering the Prädikat levels, which indicates the ripeness of the grapes at harvest. The portfolio includes dry styles (Trocken), semi-dry and sweet wines, which emphasize the versatility of Riesling. The estate is known for its emphasis on wines from one specific vineyard. These wines highlight the distinctive characteristics of specific vineyards, known as "Grosses Gewächs" or "Erste Lage." Markus Molitor's dedication to quality and the unique expression of the terroir has earned the estate international fame. The wines are sought after by collectors and enthusiasts for their authenticity and age-worthy characteristics. Markus Molitor respects traditional winemaking methods, including careful manual harvesting and gentle processing of the grapes. At the same time, he applies modern techniques to further improve the quality of the wines.
background from Weingut Markus Molitor and Zeltinger Sonnenuhr
Markus Molitor heads one of the leading estates in the Mosel region. Since taking over in the 1980s, he has worked uncompromisingly to express terroir and purity in Riesling. The Zeltinger Sonnenuhr is one of his flagship vineyards: a steep, southwest-facing vineyard with old vines on weathered slate, ideal for intense yet refined fruit.
location and soil of this top vineyard
The Zeltinger Sonnenuhr is renowned for its mineral character, originating from the poor, stony soils of gray and blue slate. Thanks to the high altitude and perfect sun exposure, the grapes ripen slowly, resulting in complexity, fine acidity, and aromatic precision. These conditions make the plot particularly suitable for Auslese-level wines with an energetic style.
vinification and style of the Auslese*** Golden Capsule
The Auslese*** is the result of an extremely strict selection of fully ripe, partially noble rot-affected grapes. Hand harvesting, gentle pressing, and slow spontaneous fermentation form the foundation. Maturation takes place in large wooden vats and stainless steel, without the addition of sweeteners or other additives. The "Golden Capsule" designation denotes the highest quality within the Auslese category, emphasizing concentration and finesse.
2019 vintage in the Mosel
The 2019 vintage is considered one of the most successful recent Riesling harvests. Cool nights, a long growing season, and perfect late summer conditions produced healthy, perfectly ripe grapes with a pronounced aromatic profile and remarkably fresh acidity. The balance between ripeness and vibrancy is exceptionally good this year.
odor, color and flavor profile
The wine displays a brilliant golden yellow color. The nose reveals ripe tropical fruits like mango, pineapple, and apricot, floral notes of acacia blossom, orange peel, and a subtle mineral note of wet slate. On the palate, it is simultaneously rich and refined, with layered sweetness, vibrant acidity, and a long, lingering finish. The concentration is impressive, yet never heavy—elegance is paramount.
reviews by international wine journalists
This Auslese*** has received exceptional acclaim worldwide. One of the leading wine critics awarded it the maximum score of 100 points and described it as:
"Crystal clear, extremely precise and almost architecturally structured – a wine with the potential for decades of aging and evolution."
Another renowned taster called it "a monumental Auslese with vibrant acidity, ripe stone fruit, and a rare combination of power and finesse." The wine is praised for its balance, purity, and ability to maintain tension despite its rich style.
storage potential and serving tips
This wine is excellent to enjoy young for its fruity expression, but it also deserves to age. Ageing potential: 30 to 40 years . Serve at 7–9°C in a large glass to fully express its complex aromas and structure.
Would you like to order Markus Molitor wines online?
The wine is stored in our climate-controlled Wine Warehouse, and if you pick it up, you'll often receive a nice discount. You'll see your discount immediately when you select "Pick up" at checkout. We're located in Dordrecht, just off the A16 motorway, with ample parking. Click here for our address.
Any fact sheets or other information and/or photos can be found in the tab: Attachment.
The reviews from international wine journalists such as Parker, Suckling and Vinous can be read in full on the website via the links next to the image
Need advice on finding the perfect wine to pair with your dish? Click here for our exclusive Sommelier. Free for Grand Cru customers.
wine and food pairings with 2019 Zeltinger Sonnenuhr Auslese***
1. Foie gras with brioche and quince jelly
The rich structure of the wine goes perfectly with the creamy liver and the sweet-fruity contrast of the jelly.
2. Thai green curry with coconut and shrimp
The aromatic intensity and tropical fruit notes complement the spicy and creamy character of the dish beautifully.
3. Blue cheese with roasted walnuts and figs
The cheese's power is tamed by the wine's sweetness and acidity, while the nutty notes reinforce each other.
4. Poached pear with saffron cream and caramelized orange
The elegant fruitiness of the dessert reflects the layers of flavor in the wine without being overpowering.
5. Pineapple and lime cream tarte tatin
The wine's fresh acidity balances the caramelized fruit, making it light and refreshing.
6. Oriental duck breast with hoisin sauce and five spices
The wine provides a lively counterbalance to the spicy, savoury and sweet components of this powerful dish.
| Available as of | Jul 11, 2025 |
|---|---|
| Type of Wine | White |
| Country | Germany |
| Region | Moezel |
| Winery | Markus Molitor |
| Grape | Riesling |
| Biological certified | No |
| Natural wine | No |
| Vegan | No |
| Vintage | 2019 |
| Drinking as of | 2026 |
| Drinking till | 2075 |
| Alcohol % | 8 |
| Alcohol free/low | No |
| Content | 0.75 ltr |
| Oak aging | Yes |
| Sparkling | No |
| Dessert wine | No |
| Closure | Cork |
| Parker rating | 100 |
| Tasting Profiles | Aromatisch, Bloemig, Complex, Droog, Fris, Fruitig, Mineraal, Strak, Wit fruit |
| Drink moments | Indruk maken, Lekker luxe |
Parker
The Wine Advocate
RP 100
Reviewed by:
Stephan Reinhardt
Release Price:
NA
Drink Date:
2026 - 2080
The golden-colored 2019 Zeltinger Sonnenuhr Auslese *** (Golden Capsule) opens with an intense yet highly finessed and elegant bouquet of perfectly ripe, tropical fruits intermixed with very fine weathered slate aromas. This fascinating combination of richness and finesse is also mirrored on the palate, which is immediately lush and round, then intense and concentrated but always lifted and refined by this beautifully crystalline and grippy slate structure. This Auslese is still a raw diamond but will surely develop to a spellbinding character over the years. Another fabulous 2019 Auslese from Markus Molitor’s most loved vineyard. Tasted in May 2021.
After a stunning 2018 vintage, 2019 is another top vintage for Markus Molitor, who holds numerous grand cru sites in the Middle Mosel between Traben-Trarbach and Bernkastel plus, just recently, the Thörnicher Ritsch as well as in the Saar Valley. Molitor's 2019 Rieslings are bright, precise, laser-sharp and super clear. They exhibit ripe and aromatic fruit and precise terroir flavors that make all the wines incredibly distinctive. You can't mix up the sites, if you are trained enough, and certainly you also can't mix up the predicates, which are clearly defined, even though a classic Kabinett in modern times is always a downgraded Spätlese or even Auslese, if the category is related to must weight and not to style alone. Only a few of the top three-starred 2019 Auslesen contain botrytized grapes, and even the Beerenauslesen are crystalline clear and piquant and by far not as rich and sweet as this category is often interpreted.
After a mild and wet winter, warm, dry and sunny weather in April ensured rapid budding of the vines. And excellent conditions for flowering in early to mid-June were in place, setting the stage for a good vintage.
The friendly spring weather was followed by one of the warmest summers on record, with abundant sunshine hours and extremely low rainfall. Due to the low level of pruning (low yields) as well as the dense planting of the plots (deep rooting), Molitor reports that "the long drought during the summer could not harm the ripening process of the grapes. Various vineyards in our extensive portfolio of sites were also favored by rains and were thus able to show an excellent water balance in the soil for this year of low rainfall."
Occasional sunburn on the berries had to be accepted as a natural yield reduction, and ample rainfall at the end of July and beginning of August came at just the right time to support and advance the ripening phase of the grapes.
"The development of the acid structure and must weights raised hopes for a classic Mosel Riesling vintage," Molitor reports. "The combination of warm, sunny days and cool nights at the beginning of fall in mid-September provided ideal harvest conditions and resulted in excellent aroma development in the berries. At this point, we were able to harvest physiologically ripe, healthy grapes with high extract levels and immense concentration for our dry and off-dry wines."
This was followed at the beginning of October by a "warm, humid weather period," which resulted in "highly ripe grape material being attacked by botrytis," which was "ideal for our noble sweet specialties."
Due to highly selective hand-picking by a huge and experienced vineyard team, all quality levels could be harvested between September 20 and October 28. The gentle processing of the grapes and musts, the slow spontaneous fermentation and long lees aging in large oak foudres until September of the following year resulted in substantial, very concentrated, stimulatingly mineral as well as finessed wines with ripe, yet fine yellow fruit aromas. The aging capacity of the Rieslings as well as the Pinot Blancs and Chardonnay is again tremendous.
The 2017 Pinot Noirs are all full-bodied, deep and concentrated yet sometimes seem to be a little bit too extracted for my personal taste. Some of the wines are pretty oak-dominated in the first hours, even days, so the right handing is crucial for appreciating the wines that start a bit hard but will smooth out after years in the bottle. For now, I prefer the 2016s to the 2017s and can't wait for the 2018s, which will be released later this year or, even more probably, in spring next year.
Published: Jun 10, 2021
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua...
Exclusive Content
Sign in to unlock professional wine reviews from world-renowned critics
Markus Molitor is a German winemaker based in the Mosel, Germany. The winery is known for producing high-quality Rieslings, and Markus Molitor is considered one of the most innovative winemakers in the region.
History by Markus Molitor
The Molitor family has a deep-rooted history in winemaking that spans many generations. Markus Molitor represents the eighth generation of the Molitor legacy. The family's involvement in wine growing in the Moselle goes back to the 18th century. Markus Molitor officially took over the family estate in 1984 at the age of 20. Located in the Mosel wine region, the estate features steep vineyards along the Mosel River, a characteristic feature of the region. The Mosel is known for its steep, terraced vineyards. The slopes ensure optimal sunlight exposure and are an integral part of the unique terroir of the wines produced in this region.
Production by Markus Molitor
Markus Molitor has consciously chosen to focus on the Riesling grape variety, which is particularly well suited to the cool climate and slate soils of the Mosel. Riesling is known for its expressive aromatics, acidity and ability to reflect the terroir. Under the leadership of Markus Molitor, the estate underwent significant expansion and modernization. New vineyards were acquired and existing ones were carefully managed to ensure the highest quality fruit. Markus Molitor produces a wide range of Rieslings covering the Prädikat levels, which indicates the ripeness of the grapes at harvest. The portfolio includes dry styles (Trocken), semi-dry and sweet wines, which emphasize the versatility of Riesling. The estate is known for its emphasis on wines from one specific vineyard. These wines highlight the distinctive characteristics of specific vineyards, known as "Grosses Gewächs" or "Erste Lage." Markus Molitor's dedication to quality and the unique expression of the terroir has earned the estate international fame. The wines are sought after by collectors and enthusiasts for their authenticity and age-worthy characteristics. Markus Molitor respects traditional winemaking methods, including careful manual harvesting and gentle processing of the grapes. At the same time, he applies modern techniques to further improve the quality of the wines.