2020 Brash Higgins R/SM
WINEMAKER: Brad Hickey
VARIETAL: Riesling, Semillon
REGION: McLaren Vale, SA
VITICULTURE: Certified Organic
A ‘field blend’ is an ensemble of different grapes from one vineyard block that are picked on the same day and fermented together, making a unique wine of place or a ‘vin de terroir’. Our version is from a sandy, elevated site along the far eastern foothills of the Blewitt Springs sub-region in McLaren Vale. Here one acre of Riesling (70%) and Semillon (30%), planted in 1975 by a German farmer, grow cheek by jowl. Picked on the same day, these unusual bedmates spend a couple days on skins together before being basket pressed then co-fermented wild in trusty French barriques. This bright white wine has all the emerald exuberance of Riesling cut with the lemony flesh of Semillon. Great summer drinking, and a riot with oysters, we are proud that this wine tastes like a true coastal white; its origins a mere 20 km from the Gulf of St. Vincent.
“Star bright in the glass, with moss, lemon zest, peach kernel, toasted grain and hybrid tea rose on the nose. Mouthwatering ocean breeze and a sappy, juicy abundance of fresh lime and white peach juiciness on the silken palate. The finish is transparent to a veritable carpet of mineral matter – albeit a levitating, vibrantly undulating one! Crushed stone, alkali, mineral salts and iodine combine with herbal and protein-rich flavours for something approximating a blend of oyster liquor and clam stock that set the salivary glands to palpitating.”- Brad Hickey
Brad Hickey first came to Australia in 2007 to work vintage with renowned South Australian winemaker, Chris Ringland. It was here the Aussies bestowed the bright-eyed and brash New Yorker with the nickname Brash Higgins, and where he met his partner and fellow vigneron Nicole Thorpe. Their 17-acre vineyard in McLaren Vale has been certified organic since 2017. Inspired by the Italian amphora-fermented wines of Sicily and Friuli, BH ferment several of their wines in bespoke amphora by Adelaide potter John Bennett.