Pinot Noir
2016
Shaw + Smith winery was founded in 1989 by Michael Hill Smith and Martin Shaw with the goal of producing elegant, refined, world class wines from the cool climate Adelaide hills region of Australia. That Shaw + Smith have succeeded in spades should come as no surprise given the resumes of the winery's two founders. Michael Hill Smith was born into wine, a member of the Yalumba family. A Cordon Bleu trained chef, wine writer, wine judge, and Australia's first Master of Wine he relished the...
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September’s start to the growing season was warmer than average leading to good canopy and fruit development. January rainfall provided relief from earlier warmer temperatures and was timely to aid fruit development through the ipening period, resulting in healthy fruit being harvested two weeks earlier than average.
Hand picked and sorted. Combination of whole berry and whole bunch fermentation. Fifteen days on skins. Matured in French oak, majority puncheons.
Delicate, fragrant, light to medium bodied but with deceptive power, silky tannins and medium term ageing potential. Even ripening and good growing conditions made 2016 a standout year for Pinot Noir in Lenswood. This vintage is very perfumed with great intensity.
A decisive, confidently struck pinot that brims with youthful vibrance and plenty of brambly spicy overlay across ripe red and darker cherry fruits. The palate's succulent, energetic and stacked with punchy cherry-fruit flavors. Tannins drive up through the finish.
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Shaw + Smith's 2016 Pinot Noir actually reminds me of some Sonoma Pinots in its attractive notes of cherry cola and wintergreen. But it's only medium-bodied, with delicate, silky tannins, and it doesn't have the creamy ripeness or alcohol of those wines. With its long, mouthwatering finish, it's a fine, elegant rendering of Pinot Noir to enjoy over the next several years.
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