96pts Australian Wine Companion
Hand-picked fruit, cool fermentation in stainless steel, maturation on lees and early bottling. A model of consistency over 32 vintages, Shaw + Smith Sauvignon Blanc continues to lead the way in 2021 with a combination of fruit intensity and a seeming lightness of being. It's told in 2 parts; the 1st is exuberant tropicals, citrus and herbal interplay, but it quickly moves into a state of serious intensity, filigree acidity and mealy texture. That lasting impression saturates the tastebuds and stays with you.
94pts James Suckling
A very strong vintage for this popular Adelaide Hills sauvignon, it sits in a deliciously ripe yet fresh zone and is bathed in peach, nectarine, green-mango and passion-fruit aromas and flavors. Delivered in straight-up, drinkable mode on release. Screw cap.
93pts Wine Enthusiast
This is a particularly delicious bottling from one of the Adelaide Hills region’s most well-known names. Bright peach and citrus fruit bounce from the glass, with more delicate floral notes just behind. There’s almost none of the green veg pungency found in many New World Sauvignons. The palate offers equally vibrant fruit flavors. It glides along a creamy texture, finishing long and refreshing.
Editors' Choice
91pts Vinous
Pale silver-straw. Bright and sharply focused on the nose, displaying intense citrus zest, green apple and succulent herb qualities and a hint of green tea. Taut and sharply focused on the palate, offering lime pith, pear skin and fennel flavors and an exotic touch of lemongrass. Closes long and nervy, with repeating citrus fruit character and a touch of bitter quince.
90pts Wine Spectator
Pear drop, peach and pineapple flavors are mouthwatering, intense and vividly in focus in this white, with lemongrass accents lining the finish.
Winemaker Notes
Sauvignon Blanc is a regional specialty in the cool climate wine region of Adelaide Hills, and The Wine Advocate calls Shaw & Smith the benchmark producer for Australian Sauvignon. The winery has huge pedigree, as owner Michael Smith was the first Australian to pass the rigorous Master of Wine examination and cousin Martin Shaw was the creator of the Flying Winemaker project. The Shaw & Smith Sauvignon Blanc is estate grown from their Balhannah and Lenswood vineyards, located just east of Adelaide. Medium-bodied with unusual richness, there are strong notes of fresh cut grapefruit, citrus and tropical fruit flavors.
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