Vintus

Sauvignon Blanc, Adelaide Hills

The Adelaide Hills is clearly the leading region for Sauvignon Blanc in Australia. Shaw + Smith has Sauvignon Blanc has been made since 1990 and is a benchmark for the country. Made from 100% Adelaide Hills fruit, principally from the estate’s Woodside Vineyard, which has high-density plantings on soil structures that are a shallow red/brown loam over schist and clay. The fruit is hand-picked, and whole bunches are crushed, chilled and pressed. No malolactic fermentation occurs as the objective is to retain fruit purity and natural acidity, and the wine is unwooded to maximize the expressiveness of its varietal character.

• 2010 Vintage

  Welcomed winter rains replenished sub-soil moisture in the winter of 2010. Other than a spike of hot weather in November, the growing season was very mild and harvest weather perfect. Below average crops and cool weather resulted in intense flavors and high natural acidity. An excellent vintage!

  • "The 2010 Sauvignon Blanc gives intense grapefruit peel, lemon juice, orange blossom and lime leaf aromas. Bone dry (less than 2 g/l residual sugar), crisp and medium bodied, this wine lends a bit of viscous/creamy texture to generous flavor concentration, continuing through the long finish. Drink it now to 2013." 90 Points Wine Advocate

  • "This white is bright and zingy, offering pretty apple, grapefruit and lime flavors that blossom on a supple frame and persist nicely. Drink now." 90 Points Wine Spectator

• 2009 Vintage

  In late January South Australia suffered an intense heat spike affecting different regions to varying degrees. In The Adelaide Hills this “heat spike” had negligible effect as it occurred 5-6 weeks before harvest. In fact conditions were very cool through to picking giving rise to great natural acidity and aromatics. Winemaking Whole bunches were crushed, chilled and pressed before fermentation in temperature controlled stainless steel tanks. Nomalolactic fermentation as we look to protect fruit purity and natural acidity.

  • "The best Sauvignon Blanc yet from Shaw & Smith, the 2009 boasts terrifically fragrant aromas of passion fruit and pink grapefruit. It’s intense and long, easily the qualitative equal of its top Kiwi cousins and better than most." 92 Points Wine Enthusiast

  • "Dry and crisp, with a tangy grapefruit note leading a pack of citrus and herb flavors, finishing with a lively balance that lets the flavors echo." 90 Points Wine Spectator

  • “Is this the finest S+S SB ever? An early glimpse at this wine last year suggested that it is and repeated encounters ever since (many such goes, I am fortunate to report) have confirmed this thought. Purity and length are the only two elements worth considering after the flavour boxes have been ticked and this wine excels in both disciplines.” Matthew Jukes’ 100 Best Australian Wines

• 2008 Vintage

  The growing season leading up to vintage looked ideal – no frosts, good flowering and a very cool February. A 15 day heat wave in early March resulted in a fast & furious grape intake and challenged all our resources. Despite the last minute heat, the quality is good – particularly flavour and palate weight. Winemaking Whole bunches were crushed, chilled and pressed before fermentation in temperature controlled stainless steel tanks. No malolactic fermentation as we look to protect fruit purity and natural acidity.

  • "Bright and lively, delivering a juicy mouthful of pear, lime, mineral and lemongrass flavors that linger enticingly." 90 Points Wine Spectator

  • "A brash and flamboyant vintage of this Adelaide Hills classic. From the passion fruit scents to the jasmine, honey, lemon and tangerine flavors, this wine bristles with fruit while a bitter, savory edge extends all that flavor into the finish. For fish chowder." 91 Points Wine & Spirits Magazine