Shaw + Smith Sauvignon Blanc
Adelaide Hills
Price Range at Release: $30-$49
Vintage: 2023
$ Rel: 35
Punchy, ripe aromas of lychees, gooseberries and passionfruit backed by suggestions of cassis precede a juicy, penetrative palate whose mouthfilling core of flavour drives long and generous before being neatly wrapped in a taut, lemony acidity. A frisky, focused sauvignon blanc without a trace of the herbaceous aspects often associated with the variety.
Last Date Tasted: 02/11/2023
Vintage
Score/100
Score/20
Year To Drink
2023
9318.0

2024-2025+

Buy it
2021
9318.0

2022-2023

2020
9217.7

2021-2022+

2019
8615.9

2019-2020

2018
9318.1

2019-2020+

2016
9318.0

2017-2018+

2015
9418.5

2016-2017+

2014
8716.0

2014-2015+

2013
9418.5

2015-2018

2012
9017.0

2013-2014

2011
8816.6

2011-2012+

2010
9418.5

2011-2012+

2009
9318.0

2010-2011+

2008
9418.3

2009-2010+

2007
9318.2

2007-2008+

2006
9017.2

2006-2007+

2005
9318.0

2006-2007

2004
9117.4

2004-2005

2003
8816.5

2003-2004

2002
9518.6

2003-2004+

2001
9117.5

2002-2003+

2000
8716.0

2000-2001

1999
8816.6

2000-2001

1998
9117.5

1998-1999

1997
9017.2

1998-1999

1996
9318.1

1998-2001

1995
9318.2

1997-2000

1994
9418.5

1995-1996

1993
9318.2

1995-1998

1992
9318.0

1993-1994

Winery

Shaw and Smith focuses most of its attention on just a small stable of wines -  a Pinot Noir, Sauvignon Blanc, Shiraz and M3 Vineyard Chardonnay. The M3 is made with special effort to retain brightness of flavour and its fluffy, fine and vibrant texture -  qualities that certainly contribute to the longevity its makers regard as an essential component in chardonnay quality. The Shiraz is successfully evolving into a complex, firm and spicy wine in a Rhône-inspired style while the Sauvignon Blanc remains the company's signature wine, and one that has helped establish the Adelaide Hills as Australia's leading region for this variety. I'm regularly taken by the very serious nature of some of the Pinot Noirs, many of which are simply delicious drinking and exceptional value. Based on purity and focus of fruit, the Shaw and Smith style is to augment these qualities with carefully measured elements of winemaking-induced complexity. The results are never too wild or extreme, but thoughtful and complex. These qualities are taken to artful new heights with the company's individual vineyard wines, being the Balhannah Vineyard Shiraz plus the Lenswood Vineyard Chardonnay and Pinot Noir. These are top level wines of international quality. It's a joy to see what Adam Wadewitz -  one of this country's very finest winemakers -  is doing at the sharp, pointy end of wine quality.
Chief Executive(s):
David Le Mire
Winemaker:
Adam Wadewitz
Viticulturist:
Ray Guerin
Address:
136 Jones Road , Balhannah , South Australia 5242 Australia
Cellar Door Open Hours:
7 days, 11am - 5pm
Principal Wine Region:
Adelaide Hills
Telephone:
(08) 8398 0500
Facsimile:
(08) 8398 0600
Website:
Email:
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