2026 Shaw + Smith Sauvignon Blanc, Adelaide Hills

If the 2025 vintage was one of the earliest recorded in the Adelaide Hills, then 2026 was one of the longest. What a contrast. For Sauvignon Blanc, the vintage helps deliver a lovely textural quality and a quiet depth of fruit intensity and concentration. In other words, this is one serious Sauvignon. Lively passionfruit pulp aromas, citrus, green apple, lemongrass and herbals of pea shoot, dill, fennel with grassy elements. A saline crunch and citrus rind zestiness liven up the fruit and background earthy herbals, passionfruit pulp. Closes smooth and dry with a core of bright acidity persisting long. Seriously good. Drink to 2031.

95 points Jeni Port for Wine Pilot, July 2026

Pomelo and pineapple jelly crystals. This is a reflection of the known and loved Shaw + Smith style, with restraint, elegance and lifted white floral perfume. Frangipani flowers falling from the tree, lemon cream and self raising flour plumes. Acidity is measured, driving fruit forward in gentle urges and nudges, bringing apple and melon along for the ride. There is some subtle tropical fruit pleasure but mostly it is the purity of lemon citrus that speaks more assuredly. Serve with hot chips and garlic aioli with plenty of friendly banter. Drink now.

94 points Shanteh Wale for Wine Pilot, July 2026

There's no quibble that it's a ripper drink here. Fresh, vibrant, crisp, delicately adorned with 'classic' sauvignon blanc scents and flavours. A little juiciness and a tug of fine grip in texture. Dashes of green herb, just-ripe pineapple, a lick of jalapeño and aloe, a squeeze of lime in mineral water all going on here. A little diffuse in weight and flavour, one could say, but it offers up great pleasure, purity and high refreshment factor in spades. Drink to 2028.

93 points & Special Value Mike Bennie for Halliday Wine Companion, September 2026 

Concentrated flavours of pink grapefruit, citrus zest and orchard fruits. The harmonious palate is full-flavoured and balanced by refreshing acidity and a crunchy texture.

This is an easy, versatile Sauvignon Blanc that is happy to poured on its own as an aperitif. Simple ricotta and lemon zest crostini or a prawn and herb salad would both let its citrus character shine without competing.

This style of Sauvignon Blanc is best served well-chilled and enjoyed within the first year or two from vintage.

More about this wine

An Adelaide Hills benchmark for nearly forty years, the latest Shaw + Smith Sauvignon Blanc comes from the cool 2026 season that allowed grapes to ripen slowly in almost ideal conditions.

The fruit was sourced from certified organic estate vineyards at Balhannah and Lenswood, grown on loams over clay with ironstone and quartzite. The must was fermented at cool temperatures and protected from oxygen throughout. Extended time on lees was used to build palate texture and complexity.

About Shaw + Smith

Shaw + Smith was founded in 1989 by cousins Martin Shaw and Michael Hill-Smith MW, 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.