2018 Balhannah Vineyard Adelaide Hills Shiraz, Shaw + Smith

• Style: Cool-climate Shiraz, pepper & floral lift
• Taste: Black cherry, dark plum, savoury spine, silky tannins
• Food: Grilled beef, barbecue, stews, aged cheese
• Occasion: Date night, gifting, cellar worthy
• Serve: 14% ABV, now or 15+ years ageing

In the Glass — Tasting Notes

Black cherry and dark plum anchor a savoury, peppery spine—the signature of Shiraz from cooler Australian sites. Whole-bunch and whole-berry fermentation (around 70% of the fruit) yields an almost silky tannin structure, while 14 months in French oak (30% new) adds subtle spice without masking the fruit. At 14% alcohol, the wine is precisely balanced: concentrated but not heavy. Drink now for its peppery edge and floral brightness, or cellar for another 15 years as it matures into deeper complexity.

The Winery — Shaw + Smith

Cousins Martin Shaw and Michael Hill Smith MW founded this partnership in 1989, committed to making refined, exciting wines exclusively from the Adelaide Hills. Martin trained at the University of Bordeaux; Michael became the first Australian Master of Wine in 1988. Chief winemaker Adam Wadewitz, one of Australia's brightest talents, embodies their philosophy: wine is made in the vineyard, not the winery. The 2018 vintage benefited from a moderate, dry spring after a testing January, delivering beautifully ripened fruit at lower-than-average yields and earning a Gold medal at the International Wine Challenge in 2021. The Balhannah vineyard sits at 450–550 metres altitude on north-facing blocks with loam soils over clay, ironstone, and shale—a composition giving the wine its mineral character.

At Your Table — Food Pairing & Serving

This wine pairs brilliantly with grilled beef and lamb, barbecued meats, stews, roast dinners, game, and aged hard cheeses like Parmesan and Gouda. The silky tannins and savoury structure make it equally at home on a date night or as a thoughtful gift. Its balance and depth reward both immediate enjoyment and patience—this is a bottle worth exploring now or setting aside for your cellar. Vegan and vegetarian-friendly, sealed with a screwcap for reliable ageing. One of the finest examples of Syrah & Shiraz we've found.