On Sunday, April 28, Lynn and I hosted a tasting of German Riesling. The wines in the line up ranged from dry (trocken) to medium dry/slightly sweet (Cabinet) to sweet (Spätlese). The major wine producing regions were also represented: the Mosel, Ruwer, Nahe, Rheingau and Pfalz. Here are my notes in the order of tasting and approximate degree of sweetness.

2016 Karthäuserfof Riesling trocken, Ruwer ($31.99) - Trocken means dry in German. This version from the Ruwer, a tributary of the Mosel, showed a greenish gold color and ripe aromas of pear, peach, apricot, with lively juicy minerally flavors. The finish was dry, but not at all austere. 18.5/20 points.

2017 Dönhoff Riesling trocken, Nahe ($28 - The Thief, Walla Walla) - Brilliant gold colored, this wine possessed a floral nose of pear, peach, pear tree blossoms, clover and wet stone. The finish was dry and finely fruited, imbued with persistent minerality. 18.5/20 points.

2016 Fritz Haag Brauneberger Riesling Kabinett, Mosel ($27.99) - This was a fine rendition of Mittel Mosel Riesling. It showed a brilliant lemon-gold color and a floral nose of pear, peach, citrus, apple blossoms, wildflowers. The flavors were ripe and minerally, with notes of pear and peach liqueurs and a pleasing off-dry finish. 18.5/20 points.

2016 Maximin Grunhaus Herrenberg Riesling Kabinett, Ruwer ($32.99) - This was made in a somewhat lighter, elegant style. It showed a gold color and lovely aromas of apple, white peach, citrus, apple blossoms and white flowers. The flavors were vivid, almost laser-like, with distinct riverside minerals. The back picked up touches of spritz and almond on the slightly sweet finish. 18.5+/20 points.

2016 Joh. Jos. Christoffel Ürziger Würzgartern Riesling Kabinett, Mosel ($32.99) - This was a fine example of medium dry (slightly sweet) Mosel Riesling. Light gold colored, it possessed delicate aromas of wild fruits, pear blossoms and white incense. The slate stone imbued flavors were charming and the finish finely fruited and resonant. 18.5/20 points.

2009 Joh. Jos. Prüm Wehlener Sonneuhr Riesling Kabinett, Mosel (donated by Smith & Bernards) - This was a fine example of maturing Mosel Riesling. Light gold colored, it showed lovely exotic perfumes along with peach and straw notes. The flavors were starting to turn dryish, yet still finely fruited, with a long, complex finish. 19/20 points.

2017 Darting Dürkheimer Hochbenn Riesling Kabinett, Pfalz ($17.99) - This showed a medium gold color and fresh, young aromas of white fruits, citrus and white incense. The flavors were in a nicely fruited style with a bit of earth ("bodensmack") and a pleasing off-dry finish. Fine value. 18/20 points.

2016 Eugen Müller Forster Mariengarten Riesling Kabinett, Pfalz ($17.99) - This was another fine value from the Pfalz. It offered a light gold color and intriguing aromas of white fruits, citrus and touches of anise and white incense. The flavors were crisp and citrusy. finishing off-dry. 18/20 points.

2017 Schlossgut Diel Riesling Kabinett, Nahe ($25.99) - This showed a light gold color and intriguing aromas of pear, white peach, grapefruit and wet stone. The flavors were direct and laser-like with touches of peach stone and spritz, followed by an off-dry finish. 18.5/20 points.

2009 Müller Catoir Müssbach Riesling Kabinett, Pfalz (donated by Sabrina Lueck) - This showed intriguing aromas of peaches, nuts, banana and a bit of bodensmack. The flavors are generous and round, smoothed by some age, followed by a spicy medium dry finish. 18.5/20 points.

2016 Joh. Jos. Christoffel Ürziger Würzgarten Riesling Spätlese, Mosel ($36.99) - This was a fine example of Spätlese (late harvest). It showed a light gold color and a floral nose of pear, peach, apricot, citrus, clover and spiced incense. The flavors were medium bodied and elegant, with a long, spritz, slightly sweet finish, balanced by fine acidity. 19/20 points.

2016 Joh. Jos. Prüm Graacher Himmelreich Riesling Spätlese, Mosel ($43.99) - This displayed a light gold color and ripe aromas pf pear, peach star fruit, pear tree blossoms and white incense. The flavors were delicate yet well delineated, with notes of slate and sun baked earth. On the back, the wine turned sweet and racy, with a long finely fruited finish. 19/20 points.

2015 Robert Weil Riesling Spätlese, Rheingau ($35.99) - From the hills high above the Rhine, this showed a deep gold color and rich ripe aromas of peach, apricot, sweet flowers and spiced white incense. The flavors were rich and unctuous, with the sweetness counterpointed by crisp acidity and a long spicy finish. 19/20 points.

All wines from wine.com unless otherwise noted.