Shaw and Smith Shiraz 2022

Cellar for up to 10 years. No need to decant before serving. Founded by two wine-loving cousins in 1989, Shaw and Smith has set the benchmark for exceptional wines from the Adelaide Hills. Martin Shaw is a “flying winemaker” who has consulted for top wineries all over the world while Michael Hall Smith became Australia’s very first Master of Wine. The pair decided to team up and found their own winery in the Adelaide Hills after realising the potential of this up-and-coming region. Shaw and Smith made their very first Shiraz in 2002, crafting the wine from fruit grown in the warmer and drier parts of their Lenswood and Balhannah vineyards. The vineyards are carefully managed to give very low yields and the fruit is picked by hand to maximise quality. The fruit is then fermented in open-top fermenters and the young wine is then aged in French oak barrels for 14 months before bottling. On the nose there are ample hints of cassis, black cherry and black plum along with black pepper and plenty of spice. The first sip reveals a generous full body, smooth yet firm tannins and a well-rounded texture. The finish is long and intense with hints of dark chocolate, woodsmoke and tobacco leaf.

Price: £27.67 from 8wines UK