Brash Higgins 2023 ‘FRNC’ Cabernet Franc-“Sands Vnyd”

100% Cab Franc grown along a high ridge of an ancient sand dune and made at Brash HQ. Vintage 2023 provided top growing conditions with an even season punctuated by small berry set. Yields were quite good for this vineyard and we made 380 cases. The idea for this FRNC was to focus on the aromatics and vibrancy of the fruit.

“A translucent violet in colour. The nose is lifted, aromatic, brooding with jalapeno and alpine herbs. There is roasted bell pepper, violets, ashes, rose petals, mulberry on the palate. Balanced and deep, the wine has a luscious, pure mouth feel and a long smooth finish with papery tannins.”-Brad Hickey, Vinitor, September 10, 2024.

Review:
“This nails the balance of herbal nuance and dark, yet bright fruit character. It’s a swishy, loose knit wine yet finds a slip of grippy tannin, cooling acidity, alpine lift and a large dose of stems and peppery piquancy. It’s thirst-quenching in its way, a little resinous in greenery…It feels good to drink and refreshing. I rarely eat lamb, but I always think that good cabernet franc like this is the final condiment.” 93 points, Mike Bennie, The Wine Front

Additional Information
Harvest date: March 6, 2023
Vineyard: Sands, McLaren Flat, Foggo Road
Grower: Martin Lightfoot
Planted: 1988
Soil: Cracking black clay
Viticulture: Sustainable
Fermenter type: open one ton, wild yeast
Maceration: five weeks
Cap Management: hand plunged twice daily
Time in oak: Fifteen months
Oak origin/age: 100% French, eight year old hogsheads
Bottled: November 19, 2024
Closure: Stelvin
pH 3.6, TA 6.4 g/l, alc 13.4%

190 cases