2021 Brash Higgins CRGN Carignan

With a gorgeous mix of fruit and savoury characters, this McLaren Vale Carignan is Brad Hickey's first varietal offering of the grape – and it was worth the wait

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Description

The Carignan fruit going into this cuvee would normally be blended with other grapes, but winemaker Brad Hicke felt the quality was good enough to offer it as a single varietal – and we agree.

Carignan is a ubiquitous grape in France and Spain but we don't see much of it planted here. It shows its best when it's planted in warm environments and has a few years behind it. Brad felt the quality is now there for it to shine on its own.

With medium body and acid, there's wild berries and cherry, hibiscus savouriness, and some earthiness. It's bright and approachable, rather than dark and heavy, so it's drinking superbly right now.

93 Points - "Atypically Australian by virtue of a ferrous core and a waft of ironstone, juniper and camphor, dark, brooding and wilderness savoury. There are virtually no obvious fruit references aside from a pithy cherry amaro scent, faint at best. Yet there is ripeness and warmth with a persimmon sourness, earthy tannins and sprightly freshness. Euro of styling and so delicious for it." - Ned Goodwin MW (James Suckling)

Carignan is a hearty red wine grape that likes it warm and does its best work after a few years in the ground. This is our first straight variety Carignan. We normally use it in broader blends like the MCC and Nymph rose for its firm tannins and great natural acidity, but loved the wines’ medium bodied personality in ’21.

Transparent ruby red in appearance. The wine exudes wild berry, hibiscus-tea, maraschino cherry and turned earth on the nose. Fresh notes of dried cherries, sage and minerality akin to crushed slate flow onto the palate; bright acidity and a savoury, clean bright finish lingers as the wine comes together on the close.

Region: McLaren Vale, SA
Blend: Carignan (100%)
ABV: 12.80%
Closure: 750ml
Bottle Size:
Production:

Price Bracket $31 to $40
Type Red
Body Medium Bodied
Variety Carignan
Country Australia
Region McLaren Vale
Australian State SA
Reviewed By Halliday Wine Companion
The Wine Front
James Suckling
Critic Score 93
Alcohol 12%
Size 750ml
Vintage 2021
Closure Screw Cap

Brash Higgins

Brash Higgins is the label of winemaking American-turned-honorary-Aussie, Brad Hickey.

In his former life, Hickey was one of America's top sommeliers, working for many years crafting some of New York's finest wine lists. He came to Australia and fell in love with McLaren Vale and local vigneron Nicole Thorpe, with whom he now produces highly characterful, minimalist wines from their much loved Omensetter vineyard.

Hickey's wines are extremely expressive. They fall in two camps - the wines sourced from Omensetter vineyard and those sourced from friends around the Vale and the warm, dry Riverlands.

Brad Hickey AKA Brash Higgins - McLaren Vale, SA Brash Higgins

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