Brash Higgins - GRM Grenache Mataro 2021

A delicious McLaren Vale red, striking the balance between everyday drinking and something serious.

Pretty on the aroma, with red florals, sweet red cherries and berries, orange peel, and spice. Medium bodied and balanced on the palate, with soft, silky tannins, and full of bright red fruits - think red cherries, raspberries, and strawberries - notes of anise, cinnamon, chocolate, coffee, hints of pepper, dried thyme, subtle mint, and a delicious touch of dustiness.

NERD NOTES

Two parcels of Grenache and Mataro from a Biodynamically farmed site at Yangarra Estate in the distinctive sandy soils of Blewitt Springs along the upper ridges of the eastern flank of McLaren Vale nearing the Adelaide Hills. The fruit was hand-picked on the same day, destemmed at the winery and co-fermented using wild yeast in an open fermenter for 2 weeks. The 2020 vintage was a warm one, but low yielding, and overall excellent quality. Yangarra’s vineyard sits in the cooler Upper Sands part of Blewitt Springs. 15 months in trusty French puncheons further forged the fine red berry tones of Grenache (70%) with the savoury spice of Mataro (30%). 

Harvest date: March 1, 2021
Handpicked
Vineyards: Upper Blewitt Springs Sand
1.5 tons Grenache
0.5 tons Mataro
Grower: Yangarra Estate, Blewitt Springs
Viticulture: Biodynamic Certified
Fermenter type: Open, wild yeast, co-ferment
Cap management: Hand plunged once to twice daily
Days on skins: 17
Time in oak: 15 months
Oak origin: French
Oak age: 100% 6 year 500L Puncheons
Bottling date: August 2, 2023
Closure: Stelvin +
pH 3.62, TA 6.5 g/L, alc 13.9%