Brash Higgins 2022 ‘R/SM’ Riesling/Semillon

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 sea spray on the nose. Mouthwatering ocean breeze and a sappy, juicy abundance of fresh lime and white peach juiciness on the textural palate. The finish is transparent to a veritable carpet of mineral matter – 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, Vinitor, September 19, 2023

 

Additional Information:

Harvest date: March 7, 2022

Hand picked

Vineyard: Saddlebags Hill, Blewitt Springs

Grower: Adrian Scott

Viticulture: Sustainable

Geology: North Maslin Sands over ironstone

Irrigation: Dry Grown

Altitude: 250 metres above sea level

Planted: 1975 on RWT Trellising

Fermenter type: white Burgundy barriques, one steeel barrel.

Time in oak/steel: 12 months

Oak origin: French

Oak age: 100% 8-12 year

Bottling date: January 8, 2023

Filtration: Coarse Regimesh

Closure: Stelvin +

pH 3.4, TA 5.9 g/l, alc 13.9%

90 Dozen

Price: $42 per bottle