Winemaker Notes
The 2017 Brash Higgins Nero d'Avola is a translucent ruby in color, with hints of lavender, nori, vermouth and stem ginger. Orange peel also present, reminiscent of an Old Fashioned cocktail, angostura bitters and all. A pomegranate, bright cherry mid-palate balanced by a refreshing sweet and sour red cherry acidity. This is a softer style, with loads of complexity, and almost hits the palate like a Red Burgundy. The wine finishes with fine grained, chain link tannins as well as some savoriness. Very pretty.
Boldly opulent and robust, Nero d’Avola is Sicily’s most widely planted red grape. Nero d’Avola performs well both as a single varietal bottling and in blends. It loves hot, arid climates and Sicily's old vines are aptly head-trained close to the ground, making them resistant to strong winds. A few pioneering producers in California as well as Australia farm Nero d’Avola in the same way. Somm Secret—Nero d’Avola's other name, Calabrese, suggests origins from the mainland region of Calabria.
Known for opulent red wines with intense power and concentration, McLaren Vale is home to perhaps the most “classic” style of Australian Shiraz. Vinified on its own or in Rhône Blends, these hot-climate wines are deeply colored and high in extract with signature hints of dark chocolate and licorice. Cabernet Sauvignon is also produced in a similar style.
Whites, often made from Chardonnay or Sauvignon Blanc tend to be opulent and full of tropical, stone and citrus fruit.