Winemaker Notes
Shaw + Smith Sauvignon Blanc is bright and aromatic with notes of grapefruit, nashi pear and nettles. On the palate there is intense flavor with fresh, limey fruit, mouthwatering acidity and remarkable purity.
Match this wine with barbecued prawns topped with avocado pico de gallo.
Professional Ratings
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Wine Enthusiast
This is an outgoing, fruit forward Sauvignon from one of Australia’s most well-known duos. It bursts with ripe peach, lime blossom and honey. Crunchy acidity balances a silky texture, and the long limey finish makes taking another sip an easy endeavor. Knock back beside a sizzling seafood barbecue.
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Wine Spectator
Generous and crisp, this white offers flavors of ripe yellow apple, pear and lemon curd that shows a lingering note of thyme. The intensity gains momentum on the finish, for a harmonious effect.
Capable of a vast array of styles, Sauvignon Blanc is a crisp, refreshing variety that equally reflects both terroir and varietal character. Though it can vary depending on where it is grown, a couple of commonalities always exist—namely, zesty acidity and intense aromatics. This variety is of French provenance. Somm Secret—Along with Cabernet Franc, Sauvignon Blanc is a proud parent of Cabernet Sauvignon. That green bell pepper aroma that all three varieties share is no coincidence—it comes from a high concentration of pyrazines (herbaceous aromatic compounds) inherent to each member of the family.
A narrow band of hills and valleys east of the city of Adelaide, the Adelaide Hills region is a diverse landscape featuring a variety of microclimates. In general it is moderate with high-altitude areas cooler and wetter compared to its warmer, lower areas.
Piccadilly Valley, the part of Adelaide Hills closest to the city, was first staked out by a grower named Brian Croser, in the 1970s for a cool spot to grow Chardonnay, then uncommon in Australia. Today a good amount of the Chardonnay goes to winemakers outside of the region.
Producers here experiment with other cool-climate loving aromatic varieties like Pinot Gris, Viognier and Riesling. Charming sparkling wine is also possible. On its north side, lower, west-facing slopes make full-bodied Shiraz.