Brash Higgins 2020 ‘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 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 (aka clay pots).

“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.

Additional Information
Harvest date: March 5, 2020 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: December 11, 2020
Filtration: clay membrane
Closure: Stelvin +
100% Nero d’Avola from Omensetter Vineyard
pH 3.39, TA 6.6 g/l, Alc 14.5%

130 Dozen

Price: $45 per bottle