Markus Molitor Pinot Noir Brauneberger Mandelgraben*

Markus Molitor is one of Germany's greatest wine producers. Markus Molitor took over the winery in 1984, at only 20 years of age. He represents the eighth generation of his centuries-old Mosel winemaking family. The estate is centered in the historic town of Bernkastel, with 37 hectares of spectacular vineyards spread across 15 classic sites from Bernkastel and Graach to Wehlen and Zeltingen. This is viticulture at its most extreme, with very old ungrafted vines (many 100 years old or more) planted on slopes as steep as 80% inclination. Needless to say all farming is by hand - it could not possibly be any other way. Interestingly, although the vast majority of vines are Riesling, there are also a small plantings (about 4 hectares) of Pinot Noir and Pinot Blanc - actually an ancient tradition in the Mosel, banned in 1930 but recently revived. The precious slate soil of the astonishingly steep West facing vineyards produces wines of great structure and depth, full of minerality, aromatic complexity, and fruity acidity.

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• Vintage:	2014
  Format:	6 x 750ml
  Availability:	Now
  Country:	Germany
  Region:	Mosel
  Varietal(s):	Pinot Noir

• 91+ points, Wine Advocate: The 2014 Pinot Noir Brauneberger Mandelgraben * is very fresh and pure on the still-reductive but excitingly precise nose that also reveals lovely cherry and berry aromas along with toasty mocha notes. Intense and charmingly lush on the delicate and silky textured palate, this is a full-bodied, fresh and fleshy Pinot Noir with a lovely intensely aromatic and powerful finish and some untamed leather flavors in the aftertaste. The Mandelgraben reveals remarkable finesse and elegance but also a tight, refreshing mineral structure in the tensioned and promising finish. Bottled in August 2017, the 2014 Mandelgraben has a long life ahead. Tasted March 2018.