2022 Shaw + Smith Shiraz Magnum 1.5L, Adelaide Hills

This is delightful. It opens with an expectation: game meat, white pepper, raspberry, tart cherry, some dried herbs and a whiff of truffle. Savouriness and pretty fruit hand in hand. It delivers on the palate, satiny tannins wrap up more of those fruit and savoury elements, game meat and pepper a strong card but beautifully woven through red fruits and sweeter spices. Ribbons of those tannins trail long through the palate; a light dusting of spice lingers. It's spot-on medium weight, too. So much charm.

94 points Mike Bennie winecompanion.com.au

Deep, dark red-purple with black tints, the bouquet quite whole-bunchy with humus, spice and root vegetable aromas, the palate intense and concentrated with sustained flavour and finely balanced powdery tannins that run long to an extended finish. A powerful yet elegant shiraz drinking well now but with a long life in front of it. 28 Sep 2024 Drink 2024–2039

95 points Huon Hooke therealreview.com

Shaw + Smith Shiraz is a benchmark example of cool-climate Australian Shiraz, renowned for its elegance, perfume, and fine structure. Shaw + Smith was founded in 1989 by cousins Martin Shaw and Michael Hill Smith MW, two pioneers of modern Australian winemaking who set out to highlight the distinctive character of the Adelaide Hills. Their Shiraz has become one of the region’s most celebrated wines, offering a vibrant, savoury expression that contrasts beautifully with the richer styles of warmer regions.

The fruit comes from two key estate vineyards: Balhannah, near the winery, and the higher-altitude Lenswood site. These vineyards sit on ancient sandy loam and clay soils over shale and ironstone, providing excellent drainage and subtle mineral character. The cool climate and long ripening period of the Adelaide Hills allow Shiraz to develop bright aromatics, fine tannins, and balanced acidity while retaining freshness. Grapes are hand harvested and sorted, with a proportion of whole bunches included during fermentation to enhance fragrance and structure. The wine is then matured for around 14 months in French oak barrels, a mix of new and seasoned, which adds complexity and spice without overpowering the fruit.

In the glass, Shaw + Smith Shiraz is a deep, luminous ruby. Aromas of blackberries, mulberries, violets, cracked pepper, and subtle smoked meats lift elegantly from the glass. The palate is medium bodied and silky, with layers of dark fruit, savoury spice, and fine, powdery tannins carried by a cool, mineral-driven backbone. The finish is long and precise, showing both restraint and depth.

This Shiraz is a superb match for roast lamb, braised beef cheeks, venison with juniper, or chargrilled vegetables. It also pairs beautifully with aged cheddar and charcuterie. While beautifully drinkable in its youth, it will cellar gracefully for 10 to 15 years, gaining savoury complexity and softening in texture over time.