2021 Shaw + Smith Balhannah Vineyard Shiraz

Planted in 2005, the Shaw + Smith Balhannah Vineyard is their prized piece of Shiraz turf.

This low-yielding site delivers their most elegant cool-climate expression of Shiraz. Winemaker Adam Wadewitz uses whole bunches to excellent effect, cranking up the herbal aromatics to 11 and finding excellent balance between tannin structure and sumptuous fruit throughout the winemaking process.

This is a beautiful wine, reminiscent of something out of the northern Rhone Valley. It will continue to evolve in the cellar for the next decade or more.

97 Points
"More of a syrah from an external perspective. An irrefutably brilliant one. I wish I had more to cellar, given the wine's noble stature. A ringer for refined Cornas, if not an oxymoron."
- Ned Goodwin MW (Jamessuckling.com)

95 Points
"The pitch here is as perfect as you’ll find... Tannin is grapey, fine-grained, smoky and expansive. It’s exemplary."
- Campbell Mattinson (The Wine Front)

96 Points
"An array of dried herb nuances includes oregano, sage, thyme and just a slight whiff of pepper. Gorgeous syrah-style shiraz."
- Huon Hooke (The Real Review)

95 Points
"There is a lot of wine here for the dollar and as per usual it shows off its pedigree with class and sophistication."
- Shanteh Wale, (The Wine Pilot)