La Petite Mort 2019 VMR Qvevri White (South Eastern Australia)

This Rhône-style white blend sees a whopping 161 days on skins. The color of a flaming orange sunset, the aromas are wild and rich, evoking rice, oat, mint, aniseed and tarragon, overlaid by honeycomb, preserved lemons and dehydrated peaches and pineapples. The palate is fresher than anticipated, although acidity creeps in amidst the skins-y tannins and intense minerality. More sum-of-its-parts than easily dissected, this is a treasure for those adventurous drinkers looking for something far outside the typical Aussie wine canon. Christina Pickard