Axe In Skull 2024 Brash Higgins x Poppelvej Collab
Release June 12, 830AM ACST Available exclusively from Brash Higgins, Poppelvej and select restaurants. _______
GRENACHE SOURCED FROM LOT 13 VINEYARD, SELLICKS HILL
SYRAH SOURCED FROM OMENSETTER VINEYARD, TATACHILLA
“AXE IN SKULL” was the logical name for a wine collaboration between Poppelvej and Brash Higgins. A debut offering of a Syrah/Grenache blend. Both winemakers, Uffe Deichmann of Poppelvej and Brad Hickey of Brash Higgins, have become known for their reverence of Grenache and Syrah, respectively, with each presenting their distinct styles.
The name is from an inside joke between friends Uffe and Brash. Uffe, being from Denmark, is big on all things Danish and there’s a fair few Vikings kicking around in that arena, and plenty of good names. When news of his second son was announced, the boys thought that the name “Axe in Skull” would be a bad-ass choice. How could anyone challenge a powerful lad with a name like Axe in Skull?
However, this namesake was quickly shot down by Nicole, the mother of the son and Uffe’s wife. The name “Beau” was the eventual winner. Which is fine.
Highlighting the complementary Mulberry, pepper, blood orange perfume of Syrah from coastal clay soils with the dried roses, chalky tannins, and cool acidity of Grenache from nearby along the Willunga escarpment is a treat to behold.
On a separate note, we were also thinking the “Axe” is the acid of the Grenache slicing open the fragile, whole cluster “Skull” of the Syrah. You be the judge.
The winemaking process reflects their shared vision: a 50/50 blend of hand picked organic Grenache and organic Syrah. One ton of gorgeous Syrah fruit was picked whole cluster off Brash’s Omensetter estate and foot stomped. The other half, one ton of Grenache, was hand-destemmed then direct pressed over the Syrah where a unifying co-ferment went down. The wine was pressed to 500L neutral French oak where it was racked, hand bottled and labelled 15 months later at Poppelvej winery without fining or filtration.
“Axe In Skull” epitomises more than just a blend of two grape varieties and winemaking techniques; it embodies the collaborative spirit and good friendship between two winemakers who share a deep passion for their craft.
125 doz produced
Label Art: Nadia Dubrovic
Closure: AMORIM XPUR 49x24mm
FSO2 at bottling: 20ppm
pH: 3.55, TA: 6.7g/L
Alcohol: 13.8%
