2024 Shaw + Smith Riesling

Highly Rated
Cool, classic, dry Adelaide Hills Riesling. Casual drinking 101 from Shaw + Smith.

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Sale price$35.00
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Description

Shaw + Smith’s 2024 Riesling might fly under the radar, but for those in the know, this one’s an absolute gem.

Sourced from the cool, elevated sites of Lenswood and Mt Torrens in the Adelaide Hills, this vintage is a stellar expression of what high-altitude Aussie Riesling can achieve - crisp, bright, and beautifully balanced.

In the glass, it’s as pure as they come, with crystalline notes of lime cordial, orange blossom, and a touch of juicy pear. The season threw in some challenges, but they worked out in our favour - those small, concentrated bunches delivered Riesling with high acidity and layered flavour. Fermented cool in stainless steel, Shaw + Smith avoid oak and let the pristine fruit do all the talking.

Whether you’re sipping it young with fish and chips or stashing it away to see how it unfolds over the next decade or so, it’s a wine with poise, finesse, and a bit of fun.

95 points
"There are notes of musk sticks and pear-filled Danish pastry too. The palate follows on from there and is soft and rounded, with lovely subtle acidity, with the result that the wine is very approachable already, in its extreme youth. There could be a tickle of sweetness helping that balance. Delicious wine."
- Huon Hooke (The Real Review)

STYLE

Delicate florals with crystalline flavours of orange blossom, lime cordial and pear add flavour to the mouthwatering acidity. Texture and depth are hallmarks of the 2024 season.

SEASON

Cool and wet conditions during flowering interrupted berry set, resulting in smaller, lighter bunches. The remainder of the season was mostly mild and dry, with a few well-timed rain events supporting vine growth and health. The result was low yields, high acidity and great flavour. Despite early season challenges, later ripening varieties like Riesling benefitted from a drier than average end to the growing season resulting in one of the best years for Riesling we’ve seen in recent times.

SOURCE

From high and cool sites in Lenswood and Mt Torrens.

VINIFICATION

Our Riesling grapes are hand-picked and pressed gently. A portion of the juice spends time in contact with skins before fermenting cool in stainless steel. We avoid oak, instead opting for fruit purity and balance.

SERVE

A great aperitif or drink with fish and chips. Ideal temperature is 6-8°C.

CELLAR

Will reward careful cellaring for up to 15 years.

95 points - "Pale, almost water-white colour, with a spicy/nettley and yeast-estery bouquet which is immediately appealing and inviting. There are notes of musk sticks and pear-filled Danish pastry too. The palate follows on from there and is soft and rounded, with lovely subtle acidity, with the result that the wine is very approachable already, in its extreme youth. There could be a tickle of sweetness helping that balance. Delicious wine." - Huon Hooke (The Real Review)

93 points - "The cool vintage has resulted in lifted white florals that splash from the glass. Freesia and star jasmine. Apple blossom and lily pily. Curls of green apple skin, fresh lime juice and river pebble. It is charitable in fruit weight with unity between natural acidity and pulpy fruit. This has become such a reliable Riesling vintage after vintage. So well balanced that both dry and off dry Riesling lovers would be thrilled with this. Drink now with fried school prawns and will have the staying power of a decade." - Shanteh Wale (Wine Pilot)

92 points - "Riesling with this kind of softness is always a joy. It tastes of apples and lime, grapes and, possibly, a touch of tropical fruit, but it’s charming at every turn, and delicious. There’s above average intensity of fruit flavour here but it’s the softness that woos." - Campbell Mattinson (The Wine Front)

92 points - "An easy-drinking riesling of dictionary definition varietal character. Lemon, limes, ginger, red apple, a touch of sweet herbal lift, pink grapefruit tang and talc and bath salts dashed through. There's good flavour here and great, energising perfume – the wine feels fresh, crisp and refreshing, too. Ticks plenty of boxes, with the caveat that it isn't particularly complex or layered in detail, but sometimes the point is pitch-perfect summery drinking and immediate enjoyment, to which this wine excels." - Mike Bennie (The Wine Front)

92 points - "The 2024 Adelaide Hills Riesling leads with apples and pears, very fine, soft, talc-y fruit and layers of saline acidity. This is fine like tissue paper and settles on the tongue in a languid fashion. After tasting a full lineup of powerful statement Rieslings from Clare Valley, this is providing a calm, zen moment. Lovely wine. Supple." - Erin Larkin (The Wine Advocate)

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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