Shaw & Smith Reviews by Halliday
James Halliday has just published his Top 100 for 2009. Shaw & Smith has featured with two 96 point ratings. The Chardonnay made the cut into the Top 100 with the Shiraz making the 'over $20 reds near misses' albeit with a terrific 96 point rating. Over 500 5-Star reds were tasted in this category, so any wine making this list is receiving a high accolade. Click on the wine name to order through the website or contact me by return email.
Shaw & Smith M3 Chardonnay 2008 - $36.50 - "The estate-grown grapes are whole-bunch pressed, the wine wild fermented. Shaw & Smith have worked tirelessly to hone the style to perfection, its path through the mouth laser-guided in its precision, unbundling all the components of fruit and oak pointless except to say the finish is breathtakingly long and clear. 96 points. Drink to 2018" - James Halliday
Shaw & Smith Adelaide Hills Shiraz 2007 - $37.50 - "Deep crimson-purple; a classy bouquet promises spicy black fruits and quality oak which the medium- to full-bodied palate delivers in spades, with layers of flavour and perfect balance; right up there with the great '06. Rating 96 Drink 2027"
And while the Shaw & Smith Sauv Blanc wasn't mentioned in the Top 100, Halliday did review it earlier in the year with another hefty 96 point rating.
Shaw & Smith Adelaide Hills Sauvignon Blanc 2009 - $23.50 - "The grapes are hand-picked (leaving sunburnt or otherwise defective bunches unpicked), crushed, must-chilled and cold-fermented with various yeasts, with one month lees contact. Simple. It has a highly aromatic and scented bouquet of nettle, citrus and herb, the vibrant palate with great thrust and persistence. A distinguished vintage of a distinguished line. Drink to 2011" - James Halliday, The Weekend Australian, July 18-19 July 2009.
Obviously cellaring of these 3 wines varies greatly. The Sauv Blanc is for drinking in the next 12 months or so, the Chard will continue to improve over the next 5 to 8 years and the Shiraz is one for the long haul. It could be at its best in 15-20 years! | 