Brash Higgins 2024 ‘FRNC’ Cabernet Franc-“Sands Vnyd”

100% Cab Franc grown along a high ridge of an ancient sand dune and made at Brash HQ. Vintage 2024 provided top growing conditions with an even season punctuated by small berry set. Yields were healthy for this vineyard. The idea for this FRNC is to focus on the aromatics and vibrancy of the fruit. The sand seems to really lift both of these attributes.

“A translucent violet in colour. The nose is lifted, aromatic, brooding with mint chocolate and alpine herbs. There is licorice, violets, ashes, rose petals, mulberry on the palate. Balanced and silky, the wine feels pure with a long smooth finish.”-Brad Hickey, Vinitor, September 10, 2026.

Review of the 2023:
“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…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: Feb 26, 2024
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, 2025
Closure: Stelvin
pH 3.6, TA 6.4 g/l, alc 13.8%

195 cases