2021 Brash Higgins MCC Mataro Cinsault Carignan

93 pts
Brash Higgins |McLaren Vale |Mataro/Mourvedre
A deliciously approachable red blend from McLaren Vale mastermind, Mr. Hickey, with Mataro to the fore.

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Description

Brad and Nicole from Brash Higgins have crafted something bright and dangerously drinkable with their 2021 MCC blend—a mix of Mataro, Cinsault, and Carignan that captures the sunny essence of McLaren Vale. This trio of Rhône varieties is here to show that the region is about more than just Grenache and Shiraz.

It all began in 2013 when Brash was asked what should be planted at a new vineyard. Their answer? Mataro, Cinsault, and Carignan—perfect for a climate reminiscent of Southern France. Grown in Michael Lennon’s sustainably farmed vineyard with cracking clay over limestone, this wine captures the earthiness and sun of McLaren Vale.

The 2021 MCC focuses on freshness and balance. The blend is dominated by whole-bunch Mataro, co-fermented with Cinsault and Carignan to achieve bright, peppery, and floral flavours. It’s supple, juicy, and easy-drinking, with cherry fruit from the Cinsault and a wild rose touch from the Carignan.

Mike Bennie called it a "super-slurper"—enough spice to keep you interested, but soft and supple enough for effortless drinking. Chill it down, share it with mates, and enjoy with something fun like yum cha. It’s Brash Higgins at its best—laid-back yet memorable, with just 13% alcohol and a lot of good times.

"I reckon you could say this is confidently styled as a just-shy of medium weight super-slurper, soft and sweet fruited, chillable (perhaps) red of easy drinking style. It doesn’t get out of second gear (enough complexity per se) or shape itself with an ideal of fancy tannin, but what’s hear is fragrant, gulpable, ribald red-blue-black fruited, spicy enough gear to please all comers and deliver an easy drinking experience. I’d love this with yum cha, was the word association that came to mind."
- Mike Bennie (The Wine Front)

93 points - "A blend of 40/30/30% mataro/cinsault/carignan. From the neighbouring Lennon Vineyard, it’s a fine release of this cuvée, the cool year yielding a wine of intense perfume and real poise. Pulpy red cherries, crushed rose petals, cracked pepper and clove, this is mid-weight of feel and lithe and fresh in delivery. Lovely." - Marcus Ellis (Halliday Wine Companion)

90 points - "I reckon you could say this is confidently styled as a just-shy of medium weight super-slurper, soft and sweet fruited, chillable (perhaps) red of easy drinking style. It doesn’t get out of second gear (enough complexity per se) or shape itself with an ideal of fancy tannin, but what’s hear is fragrant, gulpable, ribald red-blue-black fruited, spicy enough gear to please all comers and deliver an easy drinking experience. I’d love this with yum cha, was the word association that came to mind." - Mike Bennie (The Wine Front)

In 2013 we were asked by a new grower what grapes we’d be keen to see planted on his vineyard. Immediately we suggested Mataro, Cinsault and Carignan, three stalwart red grapes of sunny Southern France, a region that McLaren Vale bares a strong climatic resemblance to. It took a few years to get a crop from the new plantings, but in 2017 our first field blend from Lennon Vineyard came to fruition. All the fruit was hand picked on the same day and co-fermented wild with heaps of whole bunch Mataro to develop the peppery notes we wanted. Sweet cherry fruit flavours from the Cinsault and notes of wild roses from the Carignan complete the deal and provide the desired balance.

Harvest date: All fruit handpicked March 19, 2021
Grower: Michael Lennon
Vineyard: Lennon Vineyard
Geology: Cracking clay over limestone
Viticulture: Sustainable
Fermenter type: open two ton, co-ferment
Blend: 40% Mataro (all whole bunch), 30% Cinsault, 30% Carignan
Days on skins: 18 days
Oak type: 100% French hogsheads, 4-10 year old
Bottling date: Nov 8, 2022
Closure: Stelvin +
pH 3.49, TA 6.6 g/l, alc 13%

325 cases

Price Bracket $31 to $40
Type Red
Body Full Bodied
Variety Mataro/Mourvedre
Country Australia
Region McLaren Vale
Australian State SA
Reviewed By The Wine Front
Halliday Wine Companion
Critic Score 90
93
Size 750ml
Vintage 2021
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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