BackBack
2017 Brash Higgins ZBO Zibbibo
Watch Video

2017 Brash Higgins ZBO Zibbibo

McLaren Vale, SA

One of the few Zibibbos in Aus made with a clear vision and brilliant execution. It’s out there and enormous fun to drink.

$39.00

Out of Stock

SOLD OUT | CONTACT US FOR ALTERNATIVE SUGGESTIONS
About
Complex and compelling, something to talk about around the table.

Mike Bennie (The Wine Front)

About The Wine

Brad Hickey’s love for the weird and wonderful in the world of wine seems to know no bounds. And his ‘ZBO’ (Zibibbo Amphora) 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 7 months.

It's a cloudy, unique wine, but incredibly well executed. Mike Bennie gave the 2017 vintage a great write-up calling it, "Complex and compelling, something to talk about around the table." in his 93 point review. And he's dead right, Brad picked a little earlier this year so it's a little tighter than past releases but no less interesting. Interesting and delicious, that’s this ‘ZBO’.

About 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.

If you want 'classic' McLaren Vale, or if you want the true avant-garde, it's all available in the Brash Higgins range.

Brad Hickey AKA Brash Higgins
Brad Hickey AKA Brash Higgins
McLaren Vale, SA
Additional Info

From The Producer

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.

Blend : Zibbibo (100%)
ABV : 13.00%
Closure : Screw cap
Drink Until : 2021
Bottle Size : 750ml

ZBO fermenting wild in Brad
ZBO fermenting wild in Brad's clay amphora
Brash Higgins HQ, McLaren Vale, SA
Expert Reviews

Critic Reviews

93Points
The Wine Front

"From Ricca Terra Farms, this is one of Brash Higgins flagship wines, despite it being outside of the McLaren Vale roster. Spends around seven months on skins before being pressed. Despite it not being from the home turf of McLaren Vale, this is arguably Brad Hickey’s most famous wine. Comparisons are drawn with the famed Serragghia wines of Pantelleria Island, Sicily, perhaps, at times, maybe. Similar MO at least. Rich, silky wine of ginger tonic feel. Has incredible perfume set amongst ginger, lemon curd, fresh hops. So curious and lovely to sniff on. Feels low acid, soft in the palate, slick and supple, a little tang through the finish but ultra floral, mouth perfume, with good extension of flavour. Complex and compelling, something to talk about around the table. Quite incredible this thing." - Mike Bennie (The Wine Front)

Customer Reviews
Delivery

Delivery is Free for any order over $149 or more, or just $10 for any orders of $149 or less. There is no minimum order quantity and you can mix and match as much as you like. Make your perfect mix pack!

Estimated delivery time frames with Australia Post can be viewed here. Please include Authority to Leave instructions in the ‘SPECIAL REQUESTS’ box during checkout if you may not be available to sign for your delivery and would like it left at your front door. The 'SPECIAL REQUESTS' box can be found on the cart page before the final checkout page.

Warehouse Pickup Due to some restrictions on our warehouse lease agreement and COVID concerns we are no longer offering Warehouse Pickup as an option and will be delivering all orders moving forward. Delivery is free (for orders over $149) and fast so please select one of our great delivery options at checkout. Sorry for any inconvenience caused by this change! The Different Drop Team.

Express Same Day Delivery is available for Sydney postcodes within 10km of the CBD. There is a $10 delivery surcharge and the order is needs to be placed before 12pm midday weekdays for same day delivery. Express courier deliveries cannot be left unattended and require a receiver signature.

Our Heat Policy can be viewed here. If you would like us to hold dispatch of your order for milder weather please leave instructions to do so in the 'SPECIAL REQUESTS' box found on the cart page before the final checkout. We are happy to hold it for as long as you like. All orders are fully insured so you can buy with full confidence that these tasty beverages will get to you in tip-top shape.

Returns are free for 100 days after purchase. You can view the conditions of our return policy here

For any other shipping related inquiries, please see our helpful FAQ, email us at hello@differentdrop.com or call us on 1300 668 385..

FaQs
Do I have to order in dozens?

No, please mix it up! You can order wines in any quantity and variation you like. You can order 1 bottle or 50. We challenge you to make the ultimate mixed pack of wine!

Are there volume discounts?

No our pricing is aiming to the best in the market already. For very large orders (weddings etc) we are open to negotiating though. Just give us a call. How does the price match work?

Everyday Low & Consistent Pricing is something we strongly believe in. We want our customers to feel confident they are always getting the best price. If you see a price lower somewhere else let us know and we'll match it. We'll even retrospectively refund you if you have already purchased from us but you see a lower price somewhere later on. Our price match policy can be seen here.

I am trying to add more of a wine to my cart but it won’t let me?

This means we are running low on stock of that wine. So for example, if the website will only allow you to add 3 bottles and no more, then that is all we have of that particular wine. The good news is we may be able to order more for you. Just contact us on 1300 668 385 or hello@differentdrop.com and we'll organise the additional quantity for you.

Does Different Drop have a physical store?

No, not really. More of a warehouse/office. We do however offer a Click & Collect option from our warehouse in Ultimo, Sydney. Our warehouse address for Click & Collect is: F5A, 42 Wattle St, Ultimo, 2007

Can I special order a wine you do not sell?

If it’s doable, then we’ll make it happen. Just contact us directly via phone, chat or email and we’ll find out for you right away. Please note that in most cases special orders such as these will need to be in full case lots (6 or 12 bottles).

More FaQs: here