2021 Scorpo Bestia Pinot Grigio, Mornington Peninsula

Ripe grapes are harvested. 30% whole bunches with 70% destemmed fruit go into an open-top fermenter. It's given a five-day cold soak before indigenous-yeast fermentation. It was pressed after 11 days and aged for 12 months in neutral French oak barriques.

The hue is somewhere between burnt orange and a Mutabilis rose. Rich aromatics, spicy, refined and heady nose. Red ‘Sensation’ pear, oranges, Morello cherry. The palate is grippy with wonderful texture. Briny, spicy, intense and exotic. Savoury phenolics. Flavours of mandarin and orange jube, mixed with pears. Citrus pith and exotic spices accompany the long finish. And it's suitable for vegans.

Paul Scorpo