2015 Shaw & Smith Pinot Noir

Fruit was sourced from Shaw & Smith’s Balhannah and Lenswood vineyards with a combination of whole berry and whole bunch (40%) fermentation and fifteen days on skins. Matured in French oak barrels (30% new), the majority of which were 500L puncheons.

Despite its sense of weightlessness this is a very savoury Pinot that possesses outstanding length.

Semi translucent, slightly hazy bright cherry red colour with a light red hue. Nosing reveals bright red cherry and strawberry aromas delicately laced with violets and a hint of anise ensued by dried herb and spicy cedar notes. Light in weight, yet deceptively powerful the palate features lively red cherry and strawberry flavours intermixed with a dash of sour cherries over some spicy cedar and dried herbs. Good fresh acidity and quite supple in its mouthfeel with finely grained tannins. Long aftertaste of spicy red cherries intermixed with a hint of sour cherries, a subtle meatiness, spicy cedar and dried herb infusions.
Cellar 4-5 years.
Alc 12.5%

Other Reviews….
A lighter, more pure and elegant expression from Shaw + Smith in 2015, this has bright cherry compote and fresh cherry, spiced strawberries, pastry-like and biscuity savory notes, gently meaty and peppery too, this has plenty of complexity and yet shows the purity of fruit very clearly, nicely delivered. Blue fruits as well as rose-like perfume, very subtle oak here. The palate has supple and fleshy fruit, tannins are fine and even, really sweet spices that are worked into the heart of the fruit, red cherry stone finish, very even, long and fired along by crystaline, vibrant acidity. This is their best pinot to date. Drink now and for 6+ years.
96 points
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