Shaw + Smith Sauvignon Blanc

Sauvignon Blanc bottle image

Wine Description

Shaw + Smith own two vineyards in the Adelaide Hills, at Balhannah and Lenswood, totalling 55 hectares. The vineyards are planted to varieties that perform particularly well in the region, namely Sauvignon Blanc, Chardonnay, Pinot Noir and Shiraz.

2019 is the 30th vintage that Shaw + Smith has made. The Sauvignon Blanc has always remained true to region and style, but is better now than at any time during the 30 years.

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Acclaim
"From estate vineyards at Balhannah and higher-altitude Lenswood, plus selected growers. Cool ferment, no oak, matured on lees, early bottling. A lightness of touch now marks this wine, less wild-tropical-fruit punch and more grapefruit/citrus, both aromatic partners creating a superbly balanced aromatic pattern that is enhanced by a short maturation on lees to develop the most delicious, powdery mouthfeel. Always a style leader, now offering next-level varietal sophistication." — (Gold)
— James Halliday, Aug 2021
"Green bean, gooseberry, lemon – Sauvignon Blanc in full aromatic overdrive. Whatever you think of the flavours themselves, you have to credit the sheer purity and instantaneous satisfaction this delivers. Not too acidic, and with plenty of length to raise this above the competition.”— 17 points (out of 20) 
— Jancis Robinson, Nov 2021
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Vineyard & Production Info
Soil composition
Sandy-Loam over quartzite and shale
Training method
Double-Guyot VSP
Elevation:
1,254 - 1,815 feet
Vines/acre:
740 - 1,110
Yield/acre:
4.4 tons
First vintage of this wine:
1990
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Winemaking & Aging
Varietal composition:
100% Sauvignon Blanc
Fermentation container:
Stainless steel tanks
Fermentation temperature:
50-54 °F
Maceration technique:
Sur-Lie Aging
Fining agent:
Vegan
Type of aging container:
Stainless steel tanks
Length of aging before bottling:
3 months
Length of bottle aging:
1 month
Total SO2
114
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Analytical Data
pH level:
3.17
Acidity:
8.8 g/L
Alcohol:
12.5 %
Total SO2
114
Residual sugar:
3.27 g/L
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Wine Production

Hand picked. Cool fermentation in stainless steel followed by maturation on lees. Early bottling to retain freshness.

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About the Vineyard

From our estate vineyards at Balhannah and Lenswood, complemented by fruit from a small number of highly valued growers.

The 2019 growing season was one that challenged even the most experienced and well equipped vignerons. Those that made the most of it produced small crops of very clean fruit with wonderful flavour and intensity. Natural acidity is a feature in all of the wines despite the warm dry summer.