2023 Brash Higgins R/SM Riesling Semillon

Blistering release of this unique McLaren Vale white blend, made from Riesling (R) and Semillon (SM).

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Sale price$42.00
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In stock, ready to ship
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Description

Brash Higgins’ R/SM is an ode to McLaren Vale’s coastal whites, blending Riesling (70%) and Semillon (30%) in a dry-grown, single-vineyard field blend from a tiny half-acre block in Blewitt Springs. Planted in 1975 by a German farmer, these two varieties ripen side by side, are picked together, spend a couple of days on skins, and co-ferment wild in old French barriques - resulting in a wine of true place and character.

The 2023 vintage shows all the crystalline citrus energy of Riesling, cut through with the lemony flesh and savoury depth of Semillon. There’s an almost saline, margarita-like freshness, making it a natural fit for seafood - oysters, salt and pepper squid, King George whiting. The texture, shaped by 12 months in seasoned oak and a single steel barrel, adds depth and complexity without weighing it down.

Bright, zippy, and packed with coastal charm, this is effortless summer drinking with serious pedigree. Only 70 dozen made - don’t miss it.

95 points
"Intensely savoury, full of flavour and textural plump, trimmed in with a feathery phenolic grip and fine line of acidity. Candied lime pith, green apple tarte Tatin, stone fruit kernel, fennel frond, pine needle, fresh mint and an iodine-tinged oyster-like ferrous-ity. It’s a tussle – energetic, viscous and flavourful – all tumbling out in an oceanic dump of salinity with a positive citrus-pith bitterness. Needs a little time, but it’s compelling stuff."
- Marcus Ellis (Halliday Wine Companion)

95 points - "Intensely savoury, full of flavour and textural plump, trimmed in with a feathery phenolic grip and fine line of acidity. Candied lime pith, green apple tarte Tatin, stone fruit kernel, fennel frond, pine needle, fresh mint and an iodine-tinged oyster-like ferrous-ity. It’s a tussle – energetic, viscous and flavourful – all tumbling out in an oceanic dump of salinity with a positive citrus-pith bitterness. Needs a little time, but it’s compelling stuff." - Marcus Ellis (Halliday Wine Companion)

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 13.3%

Price Bracket $41 to $50
Type White
Body Medium Bodied
Variety Riesling
Country Australia
Region McLaren Vale
Australian State SA
Feature Natural/Lo-Fi
High Score
Reviewed By Halliday Wine Companion
Critic Score 95
Alcohol 13%
Size 750ml
Vintage 2023
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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