Brash Higgins 2023 ‘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 a half 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.

“Lovely deeper yellow in hue. All the emerald exuberance of Riesling cut by the lemony flesh of Semillon. A maragrita in the glass, a true ocean wine, as well. Bring on the oysters, salt and pepper squid and King George whiting.” Brad Hickey, Vinitor, September 19, 2024

 

Additional Information:

Harvest date: March 15, 2023

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 30, 2024

Filtration: Coarse Regimesh

Closure: Stelvin +

pH 3.34, TA 5.8 g/l, alc 133%

70 Dozen

Price: $42 per bottle