2022 Philip Shaw No 19 Sauvignon Blanc, Orange

Passionfruit blossom, golden kiwifruit, yellow guava and pineapple. A floral note on the 2022 vintage that is pretty and alluring. Celery heart and bronze fennel with racy acidity and moderate palate weight. Fine-boned and a dry, crisp finish.

92 points Special Value Shanteh Wale winecompanion.com.au

Philip Shaw No. 19 Sauvignon Blanc is a refined, cool climate take on the variety from Orange, a region whose altitude and volcanic soils give Sauvignon Blanc far more shape and composure than the usual tropical stereotype. Vineyards sit high on the slopes of Mount Canobolas, where elevation, cold nights and slow ripening lock in acidity while building flavour gradually. Basalt rich soils add a subtle mineral edge that keeps the wine tight, fresh and quietly complex.

Philip Shaw is one of Australia’s most experienced winemakers, with decades of international and domestic winemaking behind him before founding his Orange estate. His philosophy here is all about restraint and balance. No. 19 is made to show freshness and texture rather than overt aromatics, with careful picking decisions and gentle handling in the cellar. This is Sauvignon Blanc shaped by site and experience rather than recipe.

Aromatically, the wine is clean and lifted but never loud. Citrus zest, lime and green apple lead, followed by hints of white peach, fresh herbs and subtle gooseberry. There is a gentle grassy note, but it sits in the background, allowing mineral and citrus characters to take the lead.

On the palate, Philip Shaw No. 19 Sauvignon Blanc is crisp, focused and beautifully proportioned. Bright acidity drives the wine, carrying citrus and orchard fruit flavours through a clean, linear mid palate. The texture is fine and refreshing rather than sharp, with a dry, mineral finish that lingers and keeps the wine firmly in food friendly territory.

This is a Sauvignon Blanc that shines at the table. It pairs beautifully with seafood, oysters, goat’s cheese, fresh salads or Asian inspired dishes where acidity and freshness matter. Best enjoyed young for its vibrancy and precision, it also shows how well Orange can deliver Sauvignon Blanc with restraint and class.

Philip Shaw No. 19 Sauvignon Blanc is polished, regional and quietly confident. A cool climate Sauvignon that favours line, balance and drinkability over noise.