Winemaker Notes
Aromatic, fresh and lively, the 2023 Shaw + Smith Sauvignon Blanc is great as an aperitif or served with seafood.
Professional Ratings
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Robert Parker's Wine Advocate
This is only the second 2023 vintage I have tasted in bottle—perhaps not relevant, but it's an indicator that the year is moving on with pace. Leading with juniper and cassis, the 2023 Sauvignon Blanc is fresh and pert, with bright fruit and fine, chalky phenolics. I really like this wine, but then again, everyone in Australia really likes this wine. Every single year it delivers this experience of reliably good drinking. Famous for a reason.
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James Suckling
A popular wine, displaying all the pool-side party tricks with a nudge of sophistication. A cool vintage, making for a lighter weighted expression than normal. Vibrant accents of guava, lemon drop, nettle and hedgerow. Good crunchy length, if not a bit tangy.
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.