2015 Markus Molitor Bernkasteler Badstube Riesling Spätlese Green Capsule
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Tasting notes
Penetratingly high-toned peppermint allies on the nose with intimations of ripe honeydew, apple and cherry. Polished in feel, soothingly herbal and seamlessly ripe, this Kabinett’s fruit-forwardness is accentuated by efficacious yet very discreet sweetness. We’re at 11 percent alcohol here, but there is still a lovely sense of lift. The wet stone undertone found in the corresponding Kabinett is joined on the impressively persistent finish by hints of salinity and smokiness reminiscent of this collection’s amazing pair of white-capsule Bernkasteler Lay Auslesen.
Critic scores
Average Score
Stephan Reinhardt, Wine Advocate
David Schildknecht, Vinous
More reviews and scores
The 2015 Riesling Bernkasteler Badstube Spätlese (Green Capsule) is one of the most reductive wines that I tasted at Weingut MM in February 2017. The wine opens pure, flinty and with yeasty aromas whereas any fruit flavors were still closed and rather vegetal (without being green or unripe of course). On the palate, this is a full-bodied, very intense and aromatic Badstube with remarkable complexity and great elegance. The finish is tight and salty but still shows remarkable finesse and purity. Readers should cellar this wine for several years (5 to 10, even 20) to appreciate all its talents. This is a great Mosel Spätlese that tastes dry rather than really sweet. Bottled with 11% alcohol.
About the producer
Markus Molitor is now among the largest privately owned wine estates in the Mosel and also one of the best. With a focus on single-vineyard expressions, the estate produces between 80 and 90 different wines each vintage.