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.

A bit of struck match here, but also lots of nashi pear, fairly dripping with flavour, cinnamon laced pasty dough, grapefruit, nougat, a bit of a salty manzanilla tang too, mint and chamomile. It’s saline and savoury, a powdery grip to texture, aniseed perfume, and again that salty pistachio thing on a finish of excellent length. Sophisticated style  Saline. Very adult. And very very good. Yes. Tasted: Feb 2025; Alcohol: 13%; Price: $97; Closure: Screwcap; Drink: 2025-2033+; Rated: 96 Points; Gary Walsh; The Wine Front

Mineral-edged and steely, with aromas of grapefruit, phosphorous, preserved lemons, sea salt, lime leaves and lemon curd. The palate is highly strung, with precise acidity and an energetic palate that leads to a medium-bodied mouthfeel with brooding power that will resolve with time in the bottle. A cool-vintage chardonnay that is finely constructed. Drink or hold. Screw cap. Date: May 2025; Rating: 97 Points; James Suckling

From 500m above sea level. You can smell the flint and struck match from a foot away from the glass. It's of a distinct style, all minerally, chalky-puckering and racy, but there's enough depth of flavour to titillate and please all comers, while being distinctly savoury and complex. Fantastic. Almond friand amongst green apple, grapefruit, mineral water, lime with umami-like characters rolling through. Touches of parmesan and sea spray also here. You could keep the descriptors rolling. Utterly fantastic wine, where flavour is paramount, texture is stellar, length is outstanding; it's refreshing, and the wine is just straight-up delicious. Kudos. Date: May 2025; Rating: 97 Points; James Halliday Wine Companion