The New Zealanders think that they “own” Sauvignon Blanc. It may be Eurovision week, but New Zealand’s top wine critic, Bob Campbell MW has awarded his “douze points” to the 2020 Shaw and Smith Adelaide Hills Sauvignon Blanc. Well, 95 points, actually.
Over the 31 years that it has been produced, the wine has been consistently rated as Australia’s top Sauvignon Blanc. 2020 was not the easiest of vintages in the Adelaide Hills region, but you'd never know it given the intensity, the resonance and length of this vibrant, juicy wine.
Shaw and Smith seek to grow the best possible grapes by managing vineyards sustainably, valuing vine health, soil health and low yields. The grapes are picked by hand and subject to rigorous selection, where only the best fruit is used in the production of the Sauvignon Blanc.
For the 2020 vintage, the grapes were sourced from the Shaw + Smith estate vineyards at Balhannah and Lenswood. The 35-hectare Balhannah vineyard sits at 340 – 380 metres above sea level, while the Lenswood vineyard covers an area of 20 hectares and is at an altitude of 455 to 500 metres above sea level.
This is what Bob Campbell had to say about the 2020 Shaw & Smith Adelaide Hills Sauvignon:
“Delicious sauvignon blanc with fragrant lemon, citrus, wild flowers, white peach and stone fruit flavours. It has a truly ethereal texture and gentle, fruity acidity. Power delivered with great subtlety. Wonderful purity. 95 points.”
Bob Campbell MW (The Real Review)
2020 Shaw & Smith Adelaide Hills Sauvignon Blanc 12.0% 6x75 £96.00
Pale lemon in colour. A wine with intense perfume, ranging from jasmine to nectarines, limes, peaches, passion fruit, melon and more. The palate is a riot of fresh, fleshy passion-fruit, nectarine and lime flavour. Very supple, fleshy and complete.
It’s easy to see why it has become the benchmark for Australian Sauvignon Blanc, order yours TODAY at The Australian Wine Centre!
Best Wishes
Craig
PS