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.

Typically it shows a pink grapefruit character, concentration and mid-palate texture, which reflect the carefully selected sites and hand harvesting during the small window of perfect ripeness. The 2025 has lemon, lime and pink grapefruit aromas and real persistence of flavour. Great balance with bright acidity.

A tightly coiled wine that leans on the Lemon Aspen, nashi pear and grapefruit side. A hint of Lilikoi but very subtle, with some silver needle and paperbark. This kindles its citrus fruit with an elegant natural line of acidity, paired back and complimented by some lemon pith and white melon. In a dry and warm year, the S + S team have captured the vitality of their golden child but showcasing the fresh grace that sunshine and hang time can bring. Perhaps a less device style of Sauvignon Blanc for a crowd, I’m thinking wedding vibes. A nice partnership might be Meredith goats cheese arancini, on a lawn under the sunshine. Drink now or forever hold your peace. Date: Aug 2025; Rating: 92 Points; Shanteh Wale