Shaw + Smith recent releases
Courtesy of the hospitality of Red and White, an invite to the launch of the ’07 Shaw + Smith Sauvignon Blanc at Yu wound up in my grubby little mitts and with a bit of shuffling, I managed to free up a few hours on Tuesday to attend the soiree at Burswood’s swanky Chinese restaurant.
The event was great and I could see why the Red and White team all looked forward to this annual shindig: the food was great, the atmosphere informal, the day’s a chance to unwind with customers (and perhaps one or two unsavoury media types) and the wine good… www.shawandsmith.com
Shaw + Smith Sauvignon Blanc 2007: Very grassy aromas. Grainy texture in the mouth combined with blasts of intensely tart lemon and lime flavours make for a very powerful style of sauvignon blanc. Finishes very dry with another explosion of sour citrus. There’s character here all right. Recently released and perhaps looking a little young to drink by itself. Give it three to six months or enjoy with food. Matched with a basket of steamed dim sum it looked much better. 16
Shaw + Smith M3 Chardonnay 2006: Shy nose. If you’re familar with the M3 style, you’ll know that all the wine’s elements play together like a team with none of the components likely to cop any Brownlow votes, but certain to put in a Top Four finish at the end of the season. The oak is understated nut and vanillin characters, tight stonefruit flavours lap against the palate, ably assisted by some well-judged acidity. Brilliant texture and Ben Hur-esque length round off a very classy package. Similar in style to previous vintages, the M3 is getting closer to the “one of the top couple of Australian chardonnays” target that Martin Shaw and Michael Hill Smith set for the M3 chardy when they released the first vintage in 2000. 17.5
Shaw + Smith Shiraz 2005: Attractive nose of spice, blackberries and milk chocolate. Blackberry and plum make themselves right at home in the mouth, but without getting in the way or overstaying their welcome – probably due to the streamers of fine tannin that run throughout the wine’s body. Well-integrated woody notes. Nice length and finish. Very much made in the house shiraz style which offers a tasty alternative to the overt South Australian shiraz styles of the Barossa Valley and McLaren Vale. Looking handy now but would love to taste this with three to six years on it. 17
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