2014 Ockfener Bockstein Zickelgarten Spatlese

A bit of fruit from the Zickelgarten found its way into this year's "regular" Bockstein Spätlese, but here we have a bottling – destined for auction – dedicated to and labeled for that monopole. Most of the fruit for this was botrytis-free, the ennobled grapes having informed an Auslese. Vinification and maturation were split between tank and cask. An unusual nose mingles celery and green pepper with apple and honeydew. The subtly creamy and expansive palate delivers apple jelly and banana for an odd and exotic contrast to the aromas. The finish is dominated by its sweetness and lacks any mineral dimension (other than a bit of celery-stalk salinity) or much juiciness. I'm not sure what to make of this but will try to re-taste it soon in hope that it had simply not yet gotten its act together on my first encounter.