2025 Shaw + Smith Pinot Noir, Adelaide Hills

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. Drink to 2035.

95 points Jeni Port for Wine Pilot, July 2026

A pleasing, well-balanced pinot noir offering up plush texture, evocative perfume, rich flavours and a cool finish. Scents show off stewed plum, cocoa powder, clove and cinnamon, with some faint charry wood notes and lifted herbal nuance. The palate is opulent in a sense, but fresh-feeling likewise – stewed cherry here, a touch of marzipan, some grippy, smoky tannin chew and a dry-ish, firm finish with twiggy herbs in tow. In good form. Drink to 2031.

93 points Mike Bennie for Halliday Wine Companion, September 2026

An enticing wine invoking a bramble of cherry, pomegranate and boysenberries. Almost cordial like in its fruit weight and slinky texture, this is concentrated but propped up with sandy tannins. Some woody herbs, bayleaf and rosemary twig, a touch of raw cocoa and Angostura bitters to the finish.  There is fungi too, a savoury organic earthen note that draws me in. You will find this a wine with layered detail and enough power to support richer meats like ox tail and cross cut veal shanks. A Milanese osso busso is waving  for attention. Drink now or cellar for 2-3 years further. Drink to 2029.

93 points Shanteh Wale for Wine Pilot, July 2026

Shaw + Smith was founded in 1989 by cousins Martin Shaw and Michael Hill-Smith, the latter Australia's first Master of Wine. Over three and a half decades they have built one of the Adelaide Hills' most trusted and consistent labels, with the Pinot Noir among their most reliable wines across vintages.

Fruit comes predominantly from the Lenswood vineyard in the cooler upper Hills, with additional parcels from Balhannah and other selected Adelaide Hills sites. Hand-picked and sorted before open fermentation — around 30% whole bunches alongside destemmed fruit — then 10 months in French oak puncheons with modest new oak. Unfined and unfiltered before bottling.

The 2025 growing season was warm and dry, resulting in more generous fruit weight and immediate appeal. Red cherry, raspberry and white pepper on the nose with a floral lift. The palate is medium-bodied with fine tannins, good texture and a clean, well-balanced finish.

Delicate, fragrant and precise, enjoy this wine on its own or with a grilled duck breast, seared salmon or a lighter mushroom pasta.

Drink now through 2030.