Erin Larkin - Australia: Shiraz – Australia's Crimson Tide Remains King - August 2023
The 2021 Shiraz is ever the silky, svelte wine, never more than in this elegant, restrained vintage. It has cool, mineral detail overlaid by bright blue fruits and exotic spice. The tannins are very fine and serve to shape the fruit rather than intrude. It is perfumed, supple and seamless. It has by far the best concentration and complexity of all the vintages tasted here today (2015-2021). It has notes of raspberry, mulberry, licorice, beetroot, cranberry and redcurrant as well as white pepper, clove and star anise. Lovely wine here! It has sweet oak and is perfumed and shapely. Good! 93+ Points.
International Wine Challenge 2023 - May 2023
Gold Medal
Andrew Caillard MW - The Vintage Journal - March 2023
Deep ruby. Ripe red plum, licorice and mulberry with new leather, mocha, spicy/stalky vanillin oak complexity. Generously flavoured with chewy dark cherry, earthy, white pepper clove notes, supple textures accented by fresh acidity and al dente tannins. Well composed with an attractive savoury finish. 94 Points.
Ray Jordan - The Vintage Journal - November 2022
Shows why shiraz has been such a hit in the relatively cool climes of the Adelaide Hills. Has a seductive alluring aroma of dark cherry and rhubarb with a sprinkle of age. The palate is medium bodied but immensely flavoursome. The chalky tannin support is important while the oak has been expertly infused. Lovely the dry and balanced mouth feel. Love this. 95 Points.
Andrew Graham - Oz Wine Review - October 2022
No preamble needed – this Shaw + Smith Shiraz 2021 is excellent. It’s so drinkable. That’s the nub of it. Sure, we can swoon about the purple mulberry and beetroot Adelaide Hills fruit opulence or how the slick of vanilla oak lifts it nicely. Or how the tannins are fine and finessed and the moderate alcohol and just-right acidity makes this, well, just right. The ripeness really is perfect – this is so moderate and delightful despite the volume of polished fruit. But, ultimately, it’s just a really enjoyable, full flavoured, gently spicy, polished, generous, round yet not fat, technically perfect modern Australian Shiraz. Wow. 96 Points.
Campbell Mattinson - The Wine Front - October 2022
This is a beautiful release of Shaw + Smith Shiraz. It’s even-handed and well tempered but then it’s all joy from there. A forest of berries, a walk through flowers, peppers flung through and rubs of woodsy spice; the combination of fruitiness, savouriness, seriousness and fun is a highway to pleasure, built on wine. For all that the tannin is another dimension in itself; fine, lacy, assertive and savoury at once, complete with its own twiggy spice notes. It’s drinking beautifully and it will continue to do so. 96 Points.
Huon Hooke - The Real Review - October 2022
Very deep and bright red-purple with impressive saturation, while the bouquet is fresh and brightly youthful dark fruits and spices, black cherry through to dark plum, with a hint of earthy ironstone and graphite—almost a pepperiness. The tannins are ample and supple, adding texture and gravitas as well as a trace of agreeable bitterness which either food or bottle-age will mellow out. Splendid shiraz that will richly reward keeping. 95 Points.
Shanteh Wale - The Wine Pilot - October 2022
There are good reasons why this wine is found on most coveted wine lists, in great wine bars and located in collectors cellars. A wine that can be counted upon to provide the elegance of cool climate fruit with plenty of structure and drinking appeal. Sourced from Balhannah and the Central Adelaide Hills. It’s full of wild purple florals, fat juicy mulberries (the ones at the top of the tree, just out of reach), blueberries and dark chocolate shavings. Hints of vanilla pod and cardamom comes through and soft svelte tannins to finish. It’s indulgent and always a pleasure to drink. Pair with chipotle pulled pork tacos. 92 Points.
Erin Larkin - Australia: Shiraz – Australia's Crimson Tide Remains King - August 2023
The 2021 Shiraz is ever the silky, svelte wine, never more than in this elegant, restrained vintage. It has cool, mineral detail overlaid by bright blue fruits and exotic spice. The tannins are very fine and serve to shape the fruit rather than intrude. It is perfumed, supple and seamless. It has by far the best concentration and complexity of all the vintages tasted here today (2015-2021). It has notes of raspberry, mulberry, licorice, beetroot, cranberry and redcurrant as well as white pepper, clove and star anise. Lovely wine here! It has sweet oak and is perfumed and shapely. Good! 93+ Points.
International Wine Challenge 2023 - May 2023
Gold Medal
Andrew Caillard MW - The Vintage Journal - March 2023
Deep ruby. Ripe red plum, licorice and mulberry with new leather, mocha, spicy/stalky vanillin oak complexity. Generously flavoured with chewy dark cherry, earthy, white pepper clove notes, supple textures accented by fresh acidity and al dente tannins. Well composed with an attractive savoury finish. 94 Points.
Ray Jordan - The Vintage Journal - November 2022
Shows why shiraz has been such a hit in the relatively cool climes of the Adelaide Hills. Has a seductive alluring aroma of dark cherry and rhubarb with a sprinkle of age. The palate is medium bodied but immensely flavoursome. The chalky tannin support is important while the oak has been expertly infused. Lovely the dry and balanced mouth feel. Love this. 95 Points.
Andrew Graham - Oz Wine Review - October 2022
No preamble needed – this Shaw + Smith Shiraz 2021 is excellent. It’s so drinkable. That’s the nub of it. Sure, we can swoon about the purple mulberry and beetroot Adelaide Hills fruit opulence or how the slick of vanilla oak lifts it nicely. Or how the tannins are fine and finessed and the moderate alcohol and just-right acidity makes this, well, just right. The ripeness really is perfect – this is so moderate and delightful despite the volume of polished fruit. But, ultimately, it’s just a really enjoyable, full flavoured, gently spicy, polished, generous, round yet not fat, technically perfect modern Australian Shiraz. Wow. 96 Points.
Campbell Mattinson - The Wine Front - October 2022
This is a beautiful release of Shaw + Smith Shiraz. It’s even-handed and well tempered but then it’s all joy from there. A forest of berries, a walk through flowers, peppers flung through and rubs of woodsy spice; the combination of fruitiness, savouriness, seriousness and fun is a highway to pleasure, built on wine. For all that the tannin is another dimension in itself; fine, lacy, assertive and savoury at once, complete with its own twiggy spice notes. It’s drinking beautifully and it will continue to do so. 96 Points.
Huon Hooke - The Real Review - October 2022
Very deep and bright red-purple with impressive saturation, while the bouquet is fresh and brightly youthful dark fruits and spices, black cherry through to dark plum, with a hint of earthy ironstone and graphite—almost a pepperiness. The tannins are ample and supple, adding texture and gravitas as well as a trace of agreeable bitterness which either food or bottle-age will mellow out. Splendid shiraz that will richly reward keeping. 95 Points.
Shanteh Wale - The Wine Pilot - October 2022
There are good reasons why this wine is found on most coveted wine lists, in great wine bars and located in collectors cellars. A wine that can be counted upon to provide the elegance of cool climate fruit with plenty of structure and drinking appeal. Sourced from Balhannah and the Central Adelaide Hills. It’s full of wild purple florals, fat juicy mulberries (the ones at the top of the tree, just out of reach), blueberries and dark chocolate shavings. Hints of vanilla pod and cardamom comes through and soft svelte tannins to finish. It’s indulgent and always a pleasure to drink. Pair with chipotle pulled pork tacos. 92 Points.
