2022 Brash Higgins ZBO Zibbibo

One of the few Zibibbos in Australia made with a clear vision and brilliant execution. It’s out there and enormous fun to drink.
4.0
Rated 4.0 out of 5 stars
3 Reviews

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Sale price$45.00
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Description

Brad Hickey's love for the weird and wonderful in the world of wine seems to know no bounds. And his ZBO (short for Zibibbo) is as weird and wonderful as they come.

For those unfamiliar with Zibibbo, it is an ancient member of the muscat family, originating in the Mediterranean which has found a new home in South Australia. The fruit for this is sourced from Ricca Terra Farms in the warm and sunny Riverland.

 But what really distinguishes this wine is the winemaking behind it: the giant golf ball sized berries are hand-picked and destemmed into 200L clay amphorae eggs where the wine sits on skins for 150 days.

It's a cloudy, unique wine, but incredibly well executed.

Zibibbo is an ancient, aromatic white grape from the Muscat family grown in the warmth of the Mediterranean and South Australia. From fruit grown at Ricca Terra Farms in the sunny Riverland, the varietal was chosen for its potential to develop length and complexity from longer skin contact, the wine is fruity yet bone dry; reminiscent of something from Alice in Wonderland, where things aren’t always as they seem.

Hand picked, the golf ball sized, bronze fruit was destemmed into waiting terracotta amphorae. A wild ferment ensued with the caps hand plunged twice daily until the ferment finished and the skins sank into the wine. The skins, seeds and juice remained covered in situ for six months. A natural FLOR layer of yeast volunteers itself and covers and helps protect the wine. The ‘free run’ was siphoned off in spring and combined with the pressings. The wine settles before being racked and sent to bottle unfiltered and unfined.

Cloudy and a diaphanous, pale copper in appearance. The wine is dry yet exudes tantalising herbal, spice and stone fruit aromas. Complex nose of apricot, graphite/pencil shavings, cut ginger, cloves, elderflower, white pepper, Belgian white ale, and wild honey leaps from the glass. On the palate, the wine has a soft entry but with good grip, an earthy sweet chalk/clay element with notes of lemon oil, tangerines, tea and cinnamon apples..

Region: McLaren Vale, SA
Blend: Zibbibo (100%)
ABV: 13.00%
Closure: 750ml
Bottle Size:
Production:

90 Points - "It’s not sickly sweet and overly perfumed as far as Zibibbo that spent 150 days on skins goes. This is a good thing. There are, however, sweet elements in the bouquet of lemon candy and fairy floss, but overall, it comes across as a more savoury style. Lemon myrtle, lime leaf, candied citrus peel and dried herbs, especially a lovely note of spearmint. Chalky, grapefruity texture with a gentle acidic lift and white pepper crunch. A bit of a watercolour finish, nevertheless tasty and refreshing." - Kasia Sobiesiak (The Wine Front)

Customer Reviews

4.0
Rated 4.0 out of 5 stars
Based on 3 reviews
Total 5 star reviews: 2 Total 4 star reviews: 0 Total 3 star reviews: 0 Total 2 star reviews: 1 Total 1 star reviews: 0
3 reviews
  • D
    dcnicholls
    Verified Buyer
    Wine Knowledge Level Enthusiast
    2 years ago
    Wine Knowledge Level Enthusiast
    Rated 2 out of 5 stars
    A strange wine

    Amazing intense pineapple and passionfruit bouquet, but on the tongue very astringent, even sour. Disappointing after the amazing nose.

  • BT Profile picture for Bryn T.google logo
    Bryn T.
    Verified Reviewer
    Wine Knowledge Level Cork Dork
    4 years ago
    Wine Knowledge Level Cork Dork
    Rated 5 out of 5 stars
    Sunshine in a glass

    Cloudy, unique but oh so delicious. Lots of lovely savoury grip but with great lemon, apricot, ginger and elderflower notes. An interesting and very drinkable wine.

  • TD Profile picture for Tegan D.facebook logo
    Tegan D.
    Verified Buyer
    Wine Knowledge Level Beginner
    4 years ago
    Wine Knowledge Level Beginner
    Rated 5 out of 5 stars
    A Wonderfully Quirky Drop

    Delicious and punchy with smooth floral finishing notes. Very unique. A favourite!

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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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