2021 Balhannah Vineyard Adelaide Hills Shiraz, Shaw + Smith

• Style: Medium-bodied, cool-climate Shiraz
• Taste: Black pepper, red fruit, graphite, sage, kalamata olive
• Food: BBQ & grilled meats; stews & braises; roast dinners; beef & steak; game & venison
• Occasion: Date night; gifting; cellar worthy
• Serve: 14% ABV, screwcap, room temperature

In the Glass — Tasting Notes

Lifted black pepper and red fruit take the lead in this medium-bodied Adelaide Hills Shiraz, grounded by graphite minerality and sage through the mid-palate. Kalamata olives and plum add savoury depth, with tannins that grip without overwhelming and bright acidity that keeps the wine moving. The finish is long and clean — a red built for the table rather than spectacle.

The Winery — Shaw + Smith

Founded in 1989 by cousins Martin Shaw and Michael Hill Smith MW, Shaw + Smith has dedicated itself to making refined wines exclusively from the Adelaide Hills. Chief winemaker Adam Wadewitz, one of Australia's brightest talents, now leads the vision: "30 years ago, we made wines in the winery; today, we make them in the vineyard." The Balhannah vineyard, planted on north-facing slopes with loam over clay and quartzite, is farmed for low yields and exceptional quality. The 2021 vintage was fermented with whole bunches in open tanks, aged 14 months in mostly French oak, then another 14 months in bottle to develop composure and refinement. Hand-picked, hand-sorted, unfiltered and unfined — every step respects the fruit.

At Your Table — Food Pairing & Serving

Grilled beef, aged hard cheeses, braised lamb, roast dinners, and game all pair beautifully with this wine's structure and savoury complexity. The 2021 vintage in Australia benefited from winter rains that built water reserves, followed by a mild summer allowing slow ripening and excellent concentration. This is one of the finest cool-climate Syrah & Shiraz examples in recent years, moving beyond ripe-fruit stereotypes to show real refinement. James Suckling awarded 97 points, The Wine Front gave 95, and it earned a Trophy at the International Wine Challenge 2024. Vegan and vegetarian friendly at 14% ABV, with a screwcap closure. If you're exploring Adelaide Hills cool-climate reds, this wine sits at the heart of the conversation.