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 undoubtedly one of the best chardonnays in Australia. Serious and built to last, it’s refined and elegant and made with true craftsmanship, using wild ferments and allowing the fruit to shine. Stone fruit, lemon zest and grapefruit are at the heart of this white combined with subtle biscuity notes. It’s intense and weighty, balanced by fresh, crisp acid. Pair it with blackened flathead and tomato chilli chutney.

Superlative right now and, what’s more, promises so much over the coming years. You’ve gotta love a Chardonnay with those qualities already on board at just one year of age. The scent captivates in grapefruit and citrus, preserved lemon, saline notes, almond cream and spice. Vibrant, intense and layered in flavour, M3 moves fast, elevated by a crunchy acidity with an almost linear drive and a solid core of tantalising lemony citrus in the engine room. There is a lovely detail and poise here right now to explore with a warm almond mealiness, grapefruit pith, citrus, nectarine, woodsy spice and light savoury notes coming on stream on a developing creamy texture. Reveals a deeper side which can only build from here with more time in bottle. It’s built to last. M3 combines the best qualities of 21st Century Australian Chardonnay. Date: Apr 2026; Rating: 96 Points; Jeni Port; Wine Pilot