Brash Higgins

'SHZ' Shiraz 2023

Overlooking the Willunga Escarpment in McLaren Vale, the certified-organic Omensetter Vineyard was planted to Shiraz in 1997 by vigneron Nicole Thorpe. A decade later, Chicago-born sommelier Brad Hickey arrived for a vintage, met Nicole and never left. Together they founded Brash Higgins, now known for characterful, minimal-intervention wines that blend old-school craft with new ideas. SHZ is their estate Shiraz, from vines growing in heavy red clay over limestone. In the cool 2023 season, Brad picked selectively, then wild-fermented in open fermenters with about 20% whole bunches, basket-pressed, and aged the wine for 20 months in mostly seasoned French hogsheads. Expect black plum and blackberry with rosemary, lavender, orange peel and five spice, wrapped in plush, integrated tannins and lifted by fresh acidity. Pour it with lamb or anything off the barbecue.