Shaw + Smith Shiraz 2018

- VINOUS, Josh Raynolds: „Deep, shimmering ruby. Expressive aromas of fresh red and dark berries, pungent flowers and smoky minerals, along with a spicy nuance that builds with aeration. Silky and expansive on the palate, offering spice-laced black raspberry and bitter cherry flavors that turn sweeter through the back half. Closes on a gently sweet note, showing strong persistence, supple tannins and repeating spiciness.“

- 94 Punkte DECANTER, David Sly: „Elegant Shiraz is often code for a modest, subdued wine, but in this instance it’s about capturing harmony and balance. Bright flavour is smartly contained within a seamless body, carefully made to measure. A clean acid line down the spine ensures that no jagged edges poke out. Dark plum and cherry notes flit amongst the blackberry and rhubarb. It’s a smooth, confident customer. Released at AU$49. Drinking Window 2020 – 2030“

- JANCIS ROBINSON: „Sandalwood and ashy note on the nose. Firm tannins that need to integrate but add structure – savoury notes alongside dark fruits and a touch of white pepper. Youthful.“

- 95 Punkte JAMES SUCKLING: „Very attractive blueberries and dark plums here with earthy and spicy aromas, as well as black pepper. The palate is filled with fleshy fruit and has dark-cherry, cherry-liqueur and dark-chocolate flavors in abundance. Long flavors, plush smooth tannins and certainly a richer iteration of this wine. Drink or hold. Screw cap.“

- 95 Punkte BOB CAMPELL: „Deep red colour with a purple tint, excellent colour. The bouquet is spicy, gently vegetal - probably from whole-bunch fermentation - and touches of licorice and dark berry. It's full-bodied and the tannins are ample with a nicely-judged touch of firmness. Peppery throughout. Good length. The texture not as refined as the best of this region perhaps, but very good. Graphite to finish. Excellent shiraz. (7/2020)“

DELICIOUS.COM.AU - The best shiraz wines for a cosy night on the couch: “While the Barossa Valley and McLaren Vale are regularly considered the points of reference when it comes to quality South Australian shiraz, Shaw + Smith makes a strong case for the Adelaide Hills with a wines that are frequently cited as the some of the best in the country. On the fuller side of medium in body, its shiraz is concentrated and structured, framed by a spice-driven profile and firm tannins. Dark cherries, boysenberries and black plums collide with dried violets, liquorice, graphite and a touch of oak, resulting in powerful and memorable length.“

- 94 Punkte OzWine Review - Top 20 best Shiraz of November 2020: “This new Shaw & Smith Shiraz 2018 is spice-driven, and firmly Hills-ian highlight too. Has understated purple fruit, sage and then a quietly bitter and substantial palate. There’s a fight here between the riper boysenberry, cranberry and fig fruit and the brooding whole bunch spicier dark and bitterness, but it makes for such an interesting package. Very good drinking. Best drinking: now to fifteen years.“

- 95 Punkte HUON HOOKE - Gourmet Traveller Wine - Top New Release Australian Reds - October 2020: “Delicious. A full-bodied, powerful wine loaded with pepper and spice notes, and some gentle vegetal overtones, possibly from whole-bunch inclusion. Dark berries, licorice and graphite galore. There are liberal tannins that impart the right touch of firmness.“

- WINEWISE, Lester Jesberg: “The dark cherry, plum and spice aromas are attentiongrabbers. There’s enough flavour intensity, backed by savoury tannins.“

- THE REAL REVIEW - September 2020: “Bright, high-energy shiraz with violet, Black Doris plum, violet, floral and spicy oak flavours. An appealing wine that's made with a light touch. Impressive length. A good food wine. (9/2020)“

- 95 Punkte THE WINEFRONT, Campbell Mattinson, August 2020: „Fantastic release. Stunning length, a wide array of flavours, top tier tannin and the (velvety) texture to match. Cloves, nuts, cherry-plum, graphite, woodsmoke. Cool climate profile with a warmth in its heart. I drank a couple of glasses but I was convinced from the first sip. My only real question was whether it was 95 or 96.“

- 95 Punkte HUON HOOKE - The Real Review (August 2020): „Deep red colour with a purple tint, excellent colour. The bouquet is spicy, gently vegetal - probably from whole-bunch fermentation - and touches of licorice and dark berry. It's full-bodied and the tannins are ample with a nicely-judged touch of firmness. Peppery throughout. Good length. The texture not as refined as the best of this region perhaps, but very good. Graphite to finish. Excellent shiraz.“

- WINEPILOT, Angus Hughson (August 2020): „If one company has really put Adelaide Hills Shiraz on the fine wine horizon – it would have to be Shaw and Smith. They have understood the potential of the Adelaide Hills to make cooler climate Shiraz and run with it to create increasingly spicy and nuanced wines. They are always elegant but also well-structured wines that can stand the test of time. The warm 2018 vintage has created a more generous Adelaide Hills expression but with plenty of depth that takes a little time to emerge in the glass. There is the classic blackberry and blueberry shiraz fruit lifted by spice, olive tapenade and even tarry complexity. It is dry, mid-weight and quite tannic in a muscular style but has plenty of fleshy fruit to back it up. The wine is delicious now but could do with a couple of years to show its best.“