Few other labels coming out of the Adelaide Hills have commanded as much adoration in recent years as the work coming out of Shaw + Smith! The culmination of the combined expertise between cousins Martin Shaw and Michael Hill-Smith MW, together with current head winemaker Adam Wadewitz, they have etched their name into Australian wine folklore with stylish approaches to favourites like their Sauvignon Blanc and M3 Chardonnay. Indeed, the winemaking prowess of this team means not only a strong core range, but two standout bottlings from their Balhannah and Lenswood vineyards - the Lenswood Chardonnay and Balhannah Shiraz! Rich in character and aromatic complexity, this single vineyard duo are the stars of the show at this Saturday's tasting (20th April) from 12 to 2pm, alongside new vintages of some of their classics.
Joining them will be the creations from The Other Wine Co, grown on the same fruitful Balhannah vineyards as Shaw + Smith, with plush expressions of Pinot Gris, Grenache, and one delicious little Barbera (a result no doubt of head winemaker Matt Large's previous training in, and close fondness to the red varietals of Piedmont).
We hope you can come join hosts Penny Grant from Shaw + Smith and Dean Burley from Red + White come Saturday, and jump on into this extensive lineup (all on special for the next week)!
Shaw + Smith & The Other Wine Co. Specials and Tasting Lineup
Saturday 20th April
Running 12 to 2pm
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featuring the single vineyard releases...
Lenswood Vineyard Chardonnay 2022 - $83 on special; $95 RRP
"An exceptional vintage for white wines. A lower pH, inherent freshness and phenolic bite, the artillery that delivers the impressive structural latticework necessary for further development. Really classy. Subdued aromas of cinnamon, sesame, quince, ginger and toasted hazelnut, with the barest hint of fruit. Better this way. The mid-weighted palate is pliant, nicely chewy and multilayered. The finish is exceptionally long, although I look forward to tasting again in another six or eight years after things unravel and meld. Stunning chardonnay, aligned with top-tier Chassagne and certainly among the finest tasted in recent memory." - 97 Points, Ned Goodwin MW, JamesSuckling.com
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Balhannah Vineyard Shiraz 2021 - $83 on special; $95 RRP
"A scintillating nose of mace, clove, blue-fruit persuasions, lilac, pepper-dried salumi, fennel seed and kelp, akin to nori of the sort found at Tokyo's arsenal of exceptional sushi counters. On the slightly richer side of mid-weighted. Yet, the slippery skein of tannin is so immaculately placed that there is neither heat nor an ounce of sloppy, sweet fruit. Everything is compressed into a polished bone of tension and savory refinement. The acidity is saline and lathered with tapenade. More of a syrah from an external perspective. An irrefutably brilliant one. I wish I had more to cellar, given the wine's noble stature. A ringer for refined Cornas, if not an oxymoron." - 97 Points, Ned Goodwin MW, JamesSuckling.com
alongside...
Sauvignon Blanc 2023 - $30 on special; $33 RRP
"Pale, water-white colour; pungent intensity of aromas, peppermint lollies, background lemon juice and herbs both fresh and dried. Lively, delicate yet intense palate flavour, great varietal character and finishes clean and dry and long, with balanced but refreshing acidity and an emphatic farewell. Very smart Aussie sauvignon blanc." - 94 Points, Huon Hooke, The Real Review
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Riesling 2023 - $33 on special; $37 RRP
"Pale colour with dissolved gas evident; the bouquet is very flowery, rose-petal/pot-pourri, red apple and passionfruit, the palate rich and broad, full and almost opulent, with a tickle of sweetness augmenting the generous fruit on palate which nevertheless finishes dry. This is different: there is richness aplenty, a rounded middle palate shape with plenty of fruit, if not yet complexity." - 95 Points, Huon Hooke, The Real Review
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M3 Chardonnay 2023 - $52 on special; $59 RRP
"Our third La Niña influenced season in a row, 2023 was a late, cool, and wet season. The result was the latest harvest that we’ve experienced, with excellent acidity and lovely cool season flavours. Energetic and intense with notes of lemon curd, grapefruit pith and ginger snap. The wine has beautiful natural acidity and a weight and complexity that is a triumph of the season." - Notes from Shaw + Smith
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Shiraz 2021 - $52 on special; $58 RRP
"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, Campbell Mattinson, The Wine Front
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Pinot Noir 2022 - $52 on special; $59 RRP
// Best Pinot Noir of Show – 2023 Adelaide Hills Wine Show
"Light medium crimson. Attractive pure red and black cherry aromas with strawberry, herb, hint savoury notes. Lovely buoyant red fruited wine with ample strawberry, red cherry fruits, some herb hint sappy notes, very good mid palate viscosity and underlying vanilla notes. This is a shockingly good Pinot Noir that really delivers a punch. Its fruit driven, varietally expressive and primary in nature but it has lovely richness of flavour, whole bunch complexity and vinosity. Drink now – or keep for a while." - 95 Points, Andrew Caillard MW
Plus...
The Other Wine Co. Pinot Gris 2023 - $24 on special; $27 RRP
"The ninth release of The Other Wine Co. Pinot Gris, from an exceptional, cold vintage. It tipifies the wines style evolution - textural ferments, maturation in old French oak, and a beautiful balance of texture and flavour. Super aromatic from a highly concentrated season, with white pear, jasmine and almond sorbet. It's unapologetically Gris and filled with spice and all things nice. A lovely wash of natural moderate acidity and slight oily palate." - Notes from Other Wine Co.
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The Other Wine Co. Grenache 2022 - $28 on special; $32 RRP
"Deep and bright red-purple with freshness in the aromas well as the colour. Dark cherry with sbtle soice nuances, a touch of dried herbs and a tracevof raspperry bonbon, the palate medium-full bodied and savoury with lots of nicely drying tannins, balanced and quite supple on the follow-through. A stylish grenache of charm and power. It promises to give more with a litte more time in bottle, too." - 93 Points, Huon Hooke, The Real Review
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The Other Wine Co. Barbera 2021 - $30 on special; $35 RRP
"Although a new variety for the label, it's a familar friend for our winemaker, Matt Large, who has spent many vintages in Piedmont learning the art of Italian grapes from the likes of Luigi Oddero. Since taking up the post at The Other Wine Co., he's been hunting for local opportunites, and was thrilled to get his hands on this parcel of Barbera. Not your average tutti frutti Barbera here, in saying that fruit is optimal. Black Bing cherries, Acai and dried blueberries. Red toffee apple wrapped in black licorice. Allspice, nigella seed and dried Ancho chillis. Sage leaf, nettle and dried fig. Laden with dark, deep earthy spice, it's an aromatic wonder. Puffs of lifted acidity and fine powdery tannins. This has the friendly Barbera style but with so much alluring perfume. A great addition and at such a great price tag." - Notes from Other Wine Co.
If you wish to buy any of these wines, please use the links above ? Alternatively, email us at sales@thewineemporium.com.au, or contact us on (07)32521117 if you have any questions // Prices for Warramate valid until Thursday the 25th of April