Brash Higgins NDV 2020

Having cut his teeth as a Sommelier in New York’s finest restaurants, Brash Higgins winemaker Brad Hickey fell in love with McLaren Vale in 2007 and has been making some of the region’s most exciting, expressive wines ever since.

The first to graft Nero d’Avola in McLaren Vale to the organic estate Omensetter Vineyard in 2009, this tenth vintage of the drought tolerant Sicilian varietal was picked in early March after a deliciously cool February eased the pace of the ripening Nero grapes. 2020 to the point was dry with low yields and devastating bushfires in the Adelaide Hills and on Kangaroo Island, which fortunately skirted the Vale. The transparency of the Nero d’Avola grape was preserved in our NDV by using gentle, ancient techniques and naturally occurring wild yeasts. The grapes were destemmed then fermented wild and aged on skins and seeds for six months in locally made 200L bees-wax lined clay amphoras.

Dark ruby in colour, with hints of black cherry, Indian spices and stem ginger. Orange peel also present which is usual in this wine. Reminiscent of a Negroni cocktail, angostura bitters and all. A pomegranate, bright dark raspberry and morello cherry mid-palate balanced by a refreshing sweet and sour red cherry acidity. The wine finishes with fine grained, chain link tannins as well as some savouriness. Decanting is always recommended for amphora wines – Brad Hickey, Vinitor, September 1, 2021

The Finer Details
Style - Red Wine
Varietal - Nero d'Avola
Country - Australia
Region - McLaren Vale, South Australia
Vintage - 2020
Bottle Size - 750ml
ABV - 14.5%