Shaw + Smith Pinot Noir 2021

Shaw + Smith own three vineyards in the Adelaide Hills, at Balhannah, Lenswood, and Piccadilly totalling 59 ha. The vineyards are planted to varieties that perform particularly well in the region, namely Sauvignon Blanc, Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, and Shiraz.

The growing season for the 2021 vintage was terrific, a joy after the traumas of 2020. Soaking winter rains gave us plenty of moisture in the soil, and that flowed into healthy crops. The summer was mild, with slow ripening giving the grapes lots of flavour and intensity. Hand picked and sorted. Combination of whole berry and whole bunch (20%) fermentation. Fifteen days on skins. Matured in French oak, majority puncheons.

Complex, aromatic, medium bodied with deceptive power, silky tannins and long term ageing potential. The 2021 shows black cherry, darker fruits, underlying gamey aromas with great flavour and length.