Donnhoff, Norheimer Kirschheck Riesling Spatlese, Nahe

A great aperitif with only 9% alcohol. Lovely whiff of fruit and a classic Riesling “something else” as it turns towards the petrol aromas…Loads of fruit and good balancing acidity made it a wonderful palate sharpener….

German Rieslings in Hyde Park (Chicago) : Deep gold color. Great aromas of yellow fruits, but not very much secondary complexity. The palate is serene: very light without much sweetness and the flavors seems to float across the tongue more than touch it. Some firm acidity shows up on the finish. This was a very pleasurable bottle to drink now, but in the end lacked the interest and complexity of the Hermannshöhle.

Chicago Wine Geeks do German Rieslings (Hyde Park, IL) : Dark straw to gold in color with a fragrant nose of petrol, cocunut, minerals and white fruit. A gorgeous palate offers apples, pears, spice and viscous minerals. Still-high acidity is compressing the palate's length, but the wine is hinting at how classy and complete it will become.

Petrol coming through, limey fruit, rich, not very sweet, but nicely rich, very satisfying

Birthday wines (Tendido Cero, London) : A very smooth, pleasing wine with medium lemony acidity, nice fruit (not very sweet for a Spatelese) and a lingering finish. Not much secondary character nor complexity, but a bottle that's guaranteed to be finished (and it was).

Bright, quite pale, slight spritz. Vegetal nose, pears and peaches, fragrant and complex, diesel. Medium dry, adequate acidity, grilled grapefruit with brown sugar, intense, complex and good length.