2003 Shaw + Smith M3 Chardonnay Reviews

MARY EWING MULLIGAN "

"  I have often seriously considered joining the "Anything But...." club - but then I taste a Chardonnay of such refinement and pedigree that I recall why Chardonnay is considered a noble grape.  My most recent such epiphany was sparked by the fine Chardonnay that winemaker Martin Shaw fashions from the M3 vineyard in Australia's cool Adelaide Hills region."

"The 2003 M3 Chardonnay is dry and full-bodied, with soft, silky texture and yet great depth and excellent length across the palate.  Its aromas and flavours are restrained, expressing gentle, toasty oak, a vaguely peachy character and a hint of grapefruit.  Apart from its high quality, what makes this wine compelling is its combination of richness (in weight and texture) and yet restraint and elegance (in flavor, depth and length).  It is young now, and capable of developing over five or more years.

Wine Review Online, November 2010

PETER FORRESTAL

“Wines of the Future” 
“This Adelaide Hills producer is redefining Australian chardonnay… Superb: beautifully fragrant and delicate.”

The Bulletin, December 2005

HUON HOOKE AND RALPH KYTE-POWELL

“…it sums up the best qualities of the Australian chardonnay style. …The palate has pleasantly understated richness and slightly austere underlying structure, but there’s enough ‘give’ for it to be an appetizing drink glass after glass.”

The Penguin Good Australian Wine Guide 2005/2006

GREG DUNCAN POWELL

“Dollar for dollar, this is the best chardonnay in the country. It manages to be both lean and rich, austere yet generous. True, there are other chardonnays more famous, more legendary and more expensive but for quality, style and, since its debut vintage in 2000, consistency and cellarability, they don’t come close to the M3.”

The Sydney Morning Herald, April 23-24 2005

JAMES HALLIDAY TOP 100

95 points 
“…complex, intense, tight aromas and flavours of stone fruit, melon and fig are interlaced with cashew and spicy oak in the backgrounds. A fine example of winemaking.”

The Weekend Australian, November 2004

RALPH KYTE - POWELL

“The palate is appetizing and harmonious, with understated richness and slight austerity on the finish.”

The Age, March 2005

MATT WILKIN

“Attractive creamy oak. Soft peach aromas. Hint of anise. Soft and fleshy. Subtle easy-drinking style. Fresh balancing acid and length.”

Decanter Magazine, April 2005

MARY MULLIGAN

90 points 
“A pretty Chardonnay. It’s piquant and interesting, with a buttery foundation that’s buried deep beneath lemon-peel and dry mineral flavors, and a nose that shows floral and kiwi notes.”

The Wine Enthusiast, August 2005

DECANTER 

“Full on the palate, lots of creamy characters, very long finish.”

THE WINE ENTHUSIAST 
90 points

WINE SPECTATOR (USA)

March 2005 
92 points