Brash Higgins 2019 ‘NDV’ Nero d’Avola-Amphora-Organic
The first to graft Nero d’Avola in McLaren Vale to our organic estate Omensetter Vineyard in 2009, this ninth vintage of the drought tolerant Sicilian varietal was picked a little earlier than normal to get ahead of a heat wave. The transparency of the Nero d’Avola grape was preserved 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, Nov 1, 2020.
Additional Information
Harvest date: Feb 28, 2019 Hand picked
Vineyard: Omensetter Vnyd
Grower: Brash Higgins
Viticulture: Organic Certified
Soil: Red clay over limestone (Ngaltinga Formation)
Fermenter type: open 200L amphora, wild yeast
Cap management: hand plunged two times daily
Days on skins: six months
Time in amphora: Six months
Amphora origin: Adelaide, Bennett’s Magill Pottery
Lining: McLaren Vale bees-wax
Bottling date: November 11, 2019
Filtration: clay membrane
Closure: Stelvin +
100% Nero d’Avola from Omensetter Vineyard
pH 3.49, TA 5.89 g/l, Alc 15.6%
200 cases
Price: $45 per bottle, $270 per 6 bottle case
MAGNUMS available on request