The Shaw + Smith winery is owned and managed by cousins Michael Hill Smith, MW and Martin Shaw who founded the winery in 1989. It is in the Adelaide Hills wine region in the Mount Lofty Ranges near the city of Adelaide in South Australia. It is a registered, defined area called a Geographic Indication, similar to an appellation d’origine contrôlée of France or American Viticultural Area of the US. Adelaide Hills is a beautiful, lush green area with elevations from 1150 to 2329 feet. It is one of the coolest and wettest wine regions of Australia, and a suitable location for Pinot Noir. Smith and Shaw have two vineyards totaling 55 hectares (135.9 acres) planted with Pinot Noir, Chardonnay, Sauvignon Blanc and Shiraz. They are in the process of organic certification for the vineyards. This 2017 is an ethereal and elegant rendering of Pinot Noir with light ruby red color and delicate red cherry, raspberry, vanilla aromas with a light herbal note. It is quite sleek in the mouth with cherry, raspberry, pomegranate fruit laced with fresh herbs animated with zesty acidity, gliding over polished tannins. It will be an excellent table companion for a pan-seared halibut or an herb-crusted pork tenderloin.
Shaw + Smith, Adelaide Hills (South Australia) Pinot Noir 2017
By Rebecca Murphy