Brash Higgins 2017 ‘BLOOM’

The 2017 BLOOM, our fourth incarnation since the original 2008 version, is a slowly aged Chardonnay made in a style inspired by the “sous voile”, or “under-the-veil”, oxidative methods found in France’s Jura and Burgundy region. Here, McLaren Vale Chardonnay from the sandy Blewitt Springs sub-region has been matured for seven years in selected white Burgundy barrels (7), periodically adding some fresh white wine to feed the ‘flor’ (flower) or (veil) growing as a natural, healthy protective barrier of yeast on the wine’s surface. The last five years the barrels were turned on their side to prevent any tampering (mainly to keep the winemaker from drinking it) and to completely seal the bung air tight. No topping was done during this final ageing period. We aged the wine in a steel tank for an additional 6 months in our cold cellar before bottling this winter.

Only a limited number of bottles of this dry, quixotic white wine were made.

2008, 2012 and 2015 were the previous vintages.

“Golden in hue, the wine’s nose is redolent of Calvados, toffee apples, vanilla bean, cooked honey, and even whiffs of Cragganmore 12 year whisky come to mind. Liquor glazed desserts like Bananas foster and rum baba and frangipane galette, yuzu, ripe citrus/pear and baked apple coupled with lively sea spray and nutty whiffs. Focused entry with moderate palate weight, parmesan crust, butterscotch and preserved lemon; the wine tightens as it flows across the tongue which dials up the wine’s salinity on the back end.”-Brad Hickey, Vinitor, 12 August 2024.

Additional information
Sub-region: McLaren Vale
Geology: North Maslin Sands over ironstone
Altitude: 250 metres above sea level
Time in oak: 7 years
Oak origin: French, 7 white Burgundy barrels
Oak age: Blend of different ages
Bottling date July 1, 2024
Closure: Amorin Organic cork
100% McLaren Vale Chardonnay
pH 3.39, TA 7.9 g/l, Alc 14%
750ml bottle

Price: $145 per bottle