2022 Shaw + Smith Balhannah Vineyard Shiraz

Pure, poised, and powerful — a world-class cool-climate Shiraz of effortless elegance

97 points JamesSuckling.com | 95 points The Real Review | 95 Wine Pilot

Single-Vineyard Adelaide Hills Shiraz | Elegance, Power & Precision

“A masterclass in cool-climate Shiraz — refined, fragrant, and beautifully structured with effortless poise.”

Tasting Notes

Appearance: Deep crimson-purple with a radiant, glass-staining core.
Aroma: Perfumed and complex — aromas of black cherry, mulberry, and blood plum lift from the glass, layered with cracked pepper, violet, and subtle graphite minerality.
Palate: Medium to full-bodied yet finely etched, combining dark berry fruit with savoury spice and understated French oak. The texture is seamless — polished tannins and cool-climate freshness delivering balance and drive.
Finish: Long and beautifully composed — dark fruit, mineral precision, and spice linger in harmony.

Critical Acclaim

• 97 Points – JamesSuckling.com
  “Such focus and finesse. Aromas of black cherry, graphite, and crushed pepper. Finely structured with silky tannins and exceptional length. A benchmark cool-climate Shiraz.”

• 95 Points – The Real Review
  “Elegant and refined with great purity and restraint. Dark fruits, spice, and fine tannin detail. Superb texture and balance.”

• 95 Points – Wine Pilot
  “Deeply perfumed and beautifully proportioned. A wine of energy and grace with savoury depth and long, harmonious finish.”

Vineyard & Winemaking

Sourced entirely from the Balhannah Vineyard in the Adelaide Hills, Shaw + Smith’s home site and flagship property. The elevated position, ancient soils, and cool climate produce Shiraz of rare perfume and precision.

Fruit is hand-picked, wild-fermented with a portion of whole berries, and matured for 14 months in French oak (30% new).
This minimal-intervention approach captures the essence of site — pure, aromatic, and structurally refined.

Region

Adelaide Hills, South Australia — a high-altitude region known for cool nights, long ripening seasons, and natural tension.
This terroir delivers Shiraz of elegance and aromatic lift — more Rhône than Barossa in style, yet unmistakably Australian.

Food Pairings

• Chargrilled eye fillet with peppercorn jus

• Lamb rack with rosemary and thyme

• Duck breast with cherry reduction

• Mushroom and lentil cassoulet

• Aged cheddar or Manchego

Why We Love It

The 2022 Shaw + Smith Balhannah Vineyard Shiraz is a perfect expression of balance and restraint — beautifully perfumed, finely textured, and charged with cool-climate vitality.
It’s a wine that captures power through precision, with fruit purity and structural finesse defining every sip.

Awarded 97 points by James Suckling and 95 from both The Real Review and Wine Pilot, this release reinforces Shaw + Smith’s standing as one of Australia’s finest producers of elegant Shiraz.

This is modern Australian Shiraz reimagined — sleek, expressive, and utterly world-class.

Refined. Fragrant. Profound.
The 2022 Shaw + Smith Balhannah Vineyard Shiraz delivers the ultimate balance of grace and power — cool-climate brilliance in its purest form.