La Petite Mort The Mad Deer 500ml

La Petite Mort is all about experimental wine, and this fascinating fortified wine might be the apex of that aspiration.

Fortified Verdelho is left in barrel outside the winery sheds exposed to the elements, echoing the evolution of its namesake wine, Madeira. The heating and oxidation of the wine in its outdoor setting, the 'madeirisation', adds a rich mahogany nuttiness and spice to the sweet citrus and floral primary fruit flavours hiding underneath.

It sits at only 18.2% alc, so it's not a heady, supersweet wine, but it finishes with lovely concentration and lusciousness.

An open bottle will last an age...