Shaw + Smith is an alliance between cousins Martin Shaw and Michael Hill-Smith. Their aim is to make contemporary, high quality wines that are outstanding examples of their type made from grapes grown in the Adelaide Hills. Shaw + Smith specialise in grape varieties suited to the cooler climate of the Adelaide Hills, Sauvignon Blanc, Chardonnay & Shiraz.

This is a beautiful release of Shaw + Smith Shiraz. It’s even-handed and well tempered but then it’s all joy from there. A forest of berries, a walk through flowers, peppers flung through and rubs of woodsy spice; the combination of fruitiness, savouriness, seriousness and fun is a highway to pleasure, built on wine. For all that the tannin is another dimension in itself; fine, lacy, assertive and savoury at once, complete with its own twiggy spice notes. It’s drinking beautifully and it will continue to do so. Date: Oct 2022; Alcohol: 13.5%; Price: $55.00; Closure: Screwcap; Drink: 2024-2036+; Rated: 96 Points; Campbell Mattinson; The Wine Front

Very deep and bright red-purple with impressive saturation, while the bouquet is fresh and brightly youthful dark fruits and spices, black cherry through to dark plum, with a hint of earthy ironstone and graphite—almost a pepperiness. The tannins are ample and supple, adding texture and gravitas as well as a trace of agreeable bitterness which either food or bottle-age will mellow out. Splendid shiraz that will richly reward keeping. Date: Oct 2022; Alcohol: 13.5%; Price: $55.00; Drink: 2022-2041; Rating: 95 Points; Huon Hooke; The Real Review