Description / Reviews
"Bright and aromatic with notes of red fruit, mandarin peel and violet. The palate shows depth and complexity, with layers of savoury spice, undergrowth and subtle amaro unfolding in the glass. Fine, integrated tannins give structure and length to remarkable depth and fruit intensity. After hand-picking, we sort the bunches, discarding anything that is below par, then destem about 80% of the grapes. Fermentation is done slowly and gently, keeping the delicacy and elegance of the fruit, but taking the time to extract all the flavour and tannin that we can. Then the wine is basket pressed into French oak puncheons where it rests for about 8 months." - Shaw + Smith, Winemaker
"The 2025 vintage was one of the earliest on record in the Adelaide Hills thanks to a warm, dry growing season. How that translates into the glass is interesting due to the fullness of Pinot Noir expression and the utterly delightful spiciness on display. Black cherries, plums and woody spices light up the aroma with wild herbs, fennel seeds and hints of sage. Has an almost Syrah-like quality, warm and textural with an intriguing celebration of cherry – red and black cherry fruit and cherry pip – surrounded by herbs, spices, whisper of Asian notes and lined in an edgy tannin grip. Long on the finish." - 95 Points, Jeni Port, Wine Pilot
"This is a spicy, floral, effusive Pinot Noir with fragrance aplenty and ample life, lift and fruit on the palate. It’s attractive up front but the longer I sat with it the more it opened up and the higher I rated it. It tastes and smells of red licorice, red cherry, cedar, purple flowers, sweet spice and smoked meat, and comes with a firm, grippy, spice-studded finish. It’s very Shaw + Smith in a good way. Clean, polished, fragrant, whispered with reduction, structured, modern." - 94 Points, Campbell Mattinson, The Wine Front
