2020 Shaw + Smith Balhannah Vineyard Shiraz

Highly Rated
Premium single-vineyard Shiraz from a cool site in the Adelaide Hills. An elegant, spicy expression of Shiraz.

Price:
Sale price$89.00
Stock:
In stock, ready to ship, only 1 unit left
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Description

Planted in 2005, the Shaw + Smith Balhannah Vineyard is their prized piece of Shiraz turf.

This low-yielding site delivers their most elegant cool-climate expression of Shiraz. Winemaker Adam Wadewitz uses whole bunches to excellent effect, cranking up the herbal aromatics to 11 and finding excellent balance between tannin structure and sumptuous fruit throughout the winemaking process.

This is a beautiful wine, reminiscent of something out of the northern Rhone Valley. It will continue to evolve in the cellar for the next decade or more.

A complex, finely-textured Shiraz expressing the conditions of
each vintage and the character of a unique vineyard site.
Aged for 14 months in 500 to 600 litre puncheon, 20% new, followed by a further 14 months in bottle.

Region: Adelaide Hills, SA
Blend: Shiraz (100%)
ABV: 14.00%
Closure: 750ml
Bottle Size:
Production:

96 Points - "Medium-deep colour with a tint of purple and a sousbois, forest-floor bouquet, possibly whole-bunch influenced, with assorted spices including black pepper, and the palate is full bodied and rich, generous, ample and ripe with generosity and texture that appeals. Long finish and a resonant, fleshy mouth-feel. A compelling mix of cool grown spices and superripe abundance of flavour and body." - Huon Hooke (The Real Review)

96 Points - "Stunning shiraz. Rich in fruit, texture and savoury detail. Dark chocolate and black cherry, plum and sweet spice, smoky oak and graphite. Twiggy spice and associated herb characters are here but they keep their head down for the most part. Is there some reduction here? Probably a little, thankfully. The length here is seriously good, as is the package as a whole." - Campbell Mattinson (The Wine Front)

95 Points - "From a close planted site within a stone’s throw from the winery. The Balhannah is always a distinctive wine. Old world in its bouquet garni of herbs and earthy tones but with lift and poise of fine modern Australian Shiraz. The 2020 is no different. Sicilian olives, blackcurrant, pomegranate molasses and fennel fronds. Sugar plum, stringybark, thyme and powdered cumin. It’s quite the journey to watch the wine unfurl its many layers. Those that adore Hermitage and its ability to transform over time, this is right up your alley. Tannins are densely packed like biting through a baklava’s filo pastry sheets and acidity really carries the flavours on and on this vintage. I’m truly impressed with the balance for a vintage that for watchful winemakers was anything but effortless. They make it look easy. Drink with a tomato based pasta loaded with anchovies, black olives and pancetta cubes." - Shanteh Wale (Wine Pilot)

Shaw + Smith

Shaw + Smith is one of the flagbearers of the Adelaide Hills wine region.

Founded by cousins Michael Hill Smith MW and Martin Shaw, together over 30+ years they have built a brilliant brand based around refined but energetic cool climate expressions of Shiraz, Sauvignon Blanc, Chardonnay and Pinot Noir.

The wines all now comfortably rank amongst the best examples of their respective varieties in the country. The constant pursuit of excellence has seen Shaw + Smith stand out from the pack.

With the formidable talents of winemaker Adam Wadewitz at the helm, this iconic producer has never been in better form.

Michael Hill Smith MW and Martin Shaw - Adelaide Hills, SA Shaw + Smith

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For orders under this amount, delivery is calculated at checkout based on your postcode. You can order in any quantity or combination of wines you like. Straight dozens are not required.

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Estimated delivery transit time varies depending on your location. Please review this page for specific estimates.

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