Best-of lists · Top 5

Top 5 Riesling Kabinetts

Kabinett is the lightest Prädikat level under German wine law: grapes with comparatively low must weights produce wines often of just 7.5 to 9.5% alcohol. In the cool side valleys of the Mosel, Saar and Ruwer, and in the Nahe, high, lively acidity meets a subtle residual sweetness – the interplay of sweetness, acidity and slate minerality is what makes the classic, fruity Kabinett unique. Good Kabinetts are delightfully drinkable when young, yet can age for decades.

Home of Riesling editorial team · researched on 24 September 2026 · prices as of 24 September 2026

Weinberge am Hang spiegeln sich in der Mosel bei Longuich
Photo: Fia by Marv / Pexels
1
Joh. Jos. Prüm · Mosel · 2023

Wehlener Sonnenuhr Riesling Kabinett

fruity-sweet8,5 %around €40

Why it's on the list: Prüm's Kabinett from the Sonnenuhr is regarded as the benchmark for classic, filigree Mosel Kabinett, and international critics have rated it accordingly for decades.

Summarised from the press reviews

Clear citrus fruit, peach and white blossom. The palate is creamy and delicate, with around 40 g/l of residual sugar balanced by cool, salty slate minerality and taut acidity. Needs time and gains depth over many years.

Value for money: At around €40 it is no bargain, but fairly priced for a wine of this reputation and ageing potential.

Pair with: On its own as an aperitif, or with trout au bleu, shrimps or mildly spicy Thai cooking.

Wine profile → · Joh. Jos. Prüm estate →
2
Karthäuserhof · Ruwer · 2023

Eitelsbacher Karthäuserhofberg Riesling Kabinett

fruity-sweetlimited9 %around €20

Why it's on the list: A Kabinett from one of the Ruwer's great monopole sites that combines lightness and spice in exemplary fashion – and is available direct from the estate at a very fair price.

Summarised from the press reviews

Elderflower, white blossom, citrus and a spicy, herbal note on the nose, at times with an initial yeasty tone. On the palate, mirabelle plum and honey blossom, carried by salty, slaty minerality and fresh acidity; the residual sweetness (32.6 g/l according to Falstaff) is well integrated, and the finish is smoky and cool.

Value for money: Around €20 from the estate for a Kabinett from a Große Lage with 92 Falstaff points: outstanding value for money – provided you can still find bottles.

Pair with: Scallops with jasmine rice, burrata with peach or a mirabelle plum tart (the estate's recommendations).

Wine profile → · Karthäuserhof estate →
3
Egon Müller · Saar · 2023

Scharzhofberger Riesling Kabinett

fruity-sweet8 %around €199.90

Why it's on the list: Egon Müller's Scharzhofberger Kabinett is the yardstick against which Saar Kabinetts must be measured – a cult wine from what is probably the most famous Riesling vineyard in the world.

Summarised from the press reviews

Dense and fine at the same time, with a slate-driven nose, citrus notes and a touch of pineapple. The palate is spicy and fresh, with the very racy acidity of the cool vintage; the sweetness is precisely integrated, the wine still seems closed in its youth and is built for decades of ageing.

Value for money: At around €200 in the shops, this is an enthusiast's and collector's price, far above the category – you are paying for mystique and scarcity.

Pair with: Light fish starters, sashimi or Asian cooking with gentle heat; really best on its own after long ageing.

Wine profile → · Egon Müller estate →
4
Dönnhoff · Nahe · 2023

Oberhäuser Leistenberg Riesling Kabinett

fruity-sweetlimited9 %around €18.50

Why it's on the list: The Nahe's voice in the line-up: Dönnhoff's Leistenberg shows that great Kabinetts do not only come from the Mosel – and at a remarkably moderate price.

Summarised from the press reviews

Reticent at first, then pale stone fruit, white blossom and a hint of slate. The palate is light, clear and juicy; the noticeable sweetness (48.4 g/l according to Falstaff) is carried by lively acidity, so the wine seems almost weightless and barely sweet.

Value for money: At around €18 to €19, one of Germany's best-value top Kabinetts – the price-to-quality ratio is exceptionally good here.

Pair with: Fried black pudding with apple, fresh goat's cheese, sushi or fruit cake.

Wine profile → · Dönnhoff estate →
5
Van Volxem · Saar · 2023

Geisberg Riesling Kabinett

fruity-sweet8 %around €21

Why it's on the list: Van Volxem is best known for dry Saar Rieslings but makes several Kabinetts; the Geisberg Kabinett, from the historic site recultivated since 2016, is the clearly fruity-sweet one among them and currently the most exciting.

Summarised from the press reviews

Cool and stony on the nose, with hints of flint, ripe citrus, apple and yellow peach. The palate is dense with good grip, the fine sweetness sits precisely on delicate acidity, and the finish is long and elegant.

Value for money: At around €21, a very fair price for a Kabinett from a recultivated, historic top site.

Pair with: Ceviche, pork belly with ginger or a piece of mature mountain cheese.

Wine profile → · Van Volxem estate →

Scores and quotes come from the critics and magazines named, each with a link to the source. Prices are approximate at the time of research.