Shaw + Smith in James Suckling's Top 100 Australian Wines of 2018
JamesSuckling.com is the wine media platform of the eponymous former Wine Spectator Senior Editor and European Bureau Chief. Suckling has engaged Melbourne-based Nick Stock as Senior Editor, giving JamesSuckling.com insight, experience, and expertise in Australian wine that is very rare in global wine publications. That’s good for them, and good for Australian wine.
Given their deep knowledge of Australia, we were thrilled to see four wines from Shaw + Smith feature in their TOP 100 AUSTRALIAN WINES OF 2018. Read on to see what made the cut! Please note that these wines are very limited and subject to allocations.
For the full list, click here.
2015 Shaw + Smith Balhannah Vineyard Shiraz, 98 points
Ranked 8th. A decadent yet persistently fresh shiraz, showing notes of blackberry tart, hot stones, dried herbs, blueberry cake, quartz, resin and baking spices. The palate is very sophisticated in its delivery of chewy, enveloping tannins, which coat the mouth and remain lithe and velvety at the same time. A driven line of acidity runs throughout plums and cassis, and this finishes long and intense. Minerally and tight, too.
2016 Shaw + Smith Lenswood Vineyard Chardonnay, 96 Points
Ranked 40th. This offers impressive complexity and depth. Really tight-wound and reductive with citrus and peaches abound. The palate has a sleek, composed and linear style and really impressively judged ripeness. There’s a zesty edge to the fruit. Elegant and long.
2016 Shaw + Smith Lenswood Vineyard Pinot Noir, 96 points
Ranked 47th. A lush nose of strawberries, dried red cherries, brambleberries, dried roses, hibiscus and raspberry tea and nuances of earth, citrus, Indian spices and dried herbs. Medium to full body, layers upon layers of spicy red fruit and firm yet velvety tannins. A long, plush finish that remains vibrant and dialed-in. Drink in 2022.
2015 Shaw + Smith Shiraz, 96 points
Ranked 56th. A fresh and deliciously spicy nose showing brambleberries, blackcurrants, dark cherries and dark plums, as well as hints of black peppers, slate, iodine and citrus. Full-bodied with wonderfully structured tannins, seemingly unstoppable acidity and a long, chewy finish, which remains taut and mineral.
Christmas UK Shipping
For those wanting to send gifts to friends and family in the UK, we have Christmas offers available this year through our partner, OzWines. There is a selection of mixed dozen wines on their website, or you can choose your own Shaw + Smith wines to send. Order online, and enter code LENSWOOD to receive a further 10% off any Shaw + Smith dozen wines.
SHAW + SMITH CLASSIC CHRISTMAS GIFT PACK (£251)
6x Sauvignon Blanc
2x M3 Chardonnay, Pinot Noir and Shiraz
SHAW + SMITH CHRISTMAS GIFT CASE (£268)
4x Sauvignon Blanc, M3 Chardonnay and Shiraz
SHAW + SMITH CELEBRATION CASE (£277)
3x Sauvignon Blanc, m3 Chardonnay, Pinot Noir and Shiraz
SHAW + SMITH EXTRAVAGANZA CASE (£302.99)
4x M3 Chardonnay, Pinot Noir and Shiraz
SHAW + SMITH SINGLE VINEYARD COLLECTION (£659)
4x Lenswood Vineyard Chardonnay, Lenswood Vineyard Pinot Noir and Balhannah Vineyard Shiraz
2018 Adelaide Hills Wine Show
The Shaw + Smith team have had a great result at the Adelaide Hills Wine Show.
- 2017 Shaw + Smith M3 Chardonnay Best Chardonnay of Show
- Murray Leake, Group Viticulturist, Wine Show Committee's Award of Recognition
We are thrilled to win this trophy and to see Murray recognised for his dedication. The team in the vineyard and the winery have worked incredibly hard over the last year and it’s great to see the results in the bottle being acknowledged.
Michael Hill Smith at Wine Decanted in Lake Tahoe
Michael Hill Smith represented us earlier this month at Wine Decanted in Lake Tahoe: a full immersion in Australian wine for 100 important wine trade from around the US.
Wine Australia have said that Decanted is the most important event they have put on in America, providing a better and deeper understanding of the diversity and the complexity and uniqueness of Australian Wine. Michael was one of 13 winemakers plus some other special guests and media from Australia, showing wines from both Shaw + Smith and Tolpuddle Vineyard that were very well received. He had a terrific time.
Please watch the video featuring Michael, here.
2018 Competiton Winners
Congratulations to Renee Ferguson, the winner of our Shaw + Smith Luxury Escape Competition 2018 and Vanessa Joubert, the winner of the Shaw + Smith Instant Cellar.
Thanks to everyone who entered, and thanks also to Saffire Freycinet for their participation in this sensational prize.
Three new Single Vineyard releases.
Australia has seen a move toward more single site wines. For this to be plausible there must be a tangible difference in the glass and we believe these three individual vineyard wines do indeed have a real point of difference.
2016 Shaw + Smith Lenswood Vineyard Chardonnay
2016 Shaw + Smith Lenswood Vineyard Pinot Noir
2015 Shaw + Smith Balhannah Vineyard Shiraz
These releases are the third vintage made of the Lenswood Vineyard Chardonnay and the Balhannah Vineyard Shiraz, and the first of the Lenswood Vineyard Pinot Noir.
Available online now and in our Tasting Room.
Shaw + Smith winemakers unbottle a treat with Friday Table
What a special write up we have received from Escape Travel writer Carolyne Jasinski, about our Friday Table.
"The views will always be stunning, the company eclectic, the wine and food ever evolving. What a lovely way to finish the week and start the weekend"
Click here to read the full article.
WIN a Shaw + Smith cellar or Luxury Escape for two at Saffire Freycinet, Tasmania
Please click here for more and to enter.
Winner of the Tasting Room Competition, May 2018
Congratulations to Julie Lonsdale, the winner of the Shaw + Smith Tasting Room competition who has won $300 worth of wine!
Thanks to everyone who entered.
Best Large Cellar Door 2018 - Gourmet Traveller Wine
Best Large Cellar Door - Shaw + Smith
"With its sleek, modern lines and even sleeker range of wines, the Shaw + Smith cellar door is a must for anyone visiting the Adelaide Hills. At their guided tastings visitors take a seat and try five Shaw + Smith wines and three cheeses while staring out over the vineyards and rolling hills beyond. Life is good."
David Brookes
Thank you Gourmet Traveller Wine for this award.