The aromas come right at you and so too the palate; the finish then turns stringy and herbal. All guns ablaze at the outset but not quite so impressive or convincing in the wash up. Cherries, stems, beet, woodsmoke, garden herbs; the whole gardening box and dice. Summer and then autumn. Firm-ish tannin. Bet each way as to whether it’ll be best consumed now or later.

Slightly cloudy cherry ruby red (minimal filtering/fining, good), this looks fresh and vital. The whole wine has a freshness to it really, even if the bones are showing – particularly through the finish, which can’t quite kick off the slight bitterness. Still, it’s Pinot and the bitterness isn’t intrusive. The acidity is prominent too, but it’s not hard or tart, just there. Overall that fresh, early picked elegance has lots of appeal, even if it just a little angular. Masterfully made wine though that will be even better in 12 months time.

The S+S team has progressed to sourcing their Hills pinot from its higher altitude Lenswood vineyard, and from a very favourable vintage we immediately see that district offers attractive floral perfume with classic herbals and further savoury interest from the addition of whole bunches that suggest a delicate sappiness with faint anise-like characters. All this washes and swirls, juicy, a little chewy, but eventually finishing with a lingering echo.

The S+S team has progressed to sourcing their Hills pinot from its higher altitude Lenswood vineyard, and from a very favourable vintage we immediately see that district offers attractive floral perfume with classic herbals and further savoury interest from the addition of whole bunches that suggest a delicate sappiness with faint anise-like characters. All this washes and swirls, juicy, a little chewy, but eventually finishing with a lingering echo.

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.

The first thing you’ll notice about the 2015 pinot noir is the colour. Inky wine drinkers, look away now: this is a translucently fire-red pool of pristine pinot. The nose is aromatic and delicate with cut red fruits and wild strawberries, with slightly more rustic notes of whole nutmeg and bush herbs. These flavours translate on to the tongue while a portion of whole bunch fermentation gives structure and imparts flavours reminding you of clacking boiled blackberry sweet against your teeth. With low yields granting the wine a detailed concentration and grip, this is one proud pinot noir. Match it with peking duck pancakes.

The challenge to master this most temperamental variety has never fazed cousins Martin Shaw and Michael Hill Smith and this gold medal-winning Adelaide Hills release is arguably their finest to date. Light to medium-bodied, with spicy, supple and savoury flavours, it grows on you with every sip.

Mid-cherry red, this restrained and elegant pinot style shows bright wild raspberry and herbal fruits with a touchy of stalky, spicy lift. Silky on the palate with supple tannins and balanced acidity, it finishes with bright, youthful vitality and attractive length.

This impressive pinot noir already shows such deep complexity. Spicy cherry and subtle toasty oak with spices and earthy characters. The tannins are certainly firmish but so fine and the oak perfectly laid to complete the picture. Medium weight but with stacks of deep intensity and palate drive. Very long finish.