Shaw & Smith 'M3' Chardonnay 2017 750ml

Melding one cousin's fierce operational discipline with the other's imaginative flights of fancy, founders Martin Shaw and Michael Hill-Smith MW launched their Adelaide Hills estate in 1989 to prove Australia could master cool-climate elegance. Championing sustainable viticulture across their four high-altitude properties, they craft incredibly vibrant, modern classics that strike a flawless balance between pristine fruit definition and a sophisticated, electric freshness.

Australia’s wine story began with colonial plantings in the late eighteenth century and took off through the work of early European settlers. The wine landscape is vast and varied, shaped by a mix of maritime, continental and desert-like influences across its key regions. Its appellation system is built around zones, which focus on geographic origin rather than strict rules on grape or style. Classic varieties such as Shiraz (Syrah), Cabernet Sauvignon and Chardonnay lead the way, with Riesling and Grenache also playing important roles, plus a recent influx of ‘Mediterranean’ grapes are also turning heads. From the bold reds of Barossa to the cool climate elegance of Margaret River and Tasmania, Australia offers a huge spectrum of flavours. The country’s modern approach champions innovation, sustainability and a clear expression of place.

Perched high above the valley floors, the Adelaide Hills is a premium, cool-climate haven defined by altitude and rolling mist. The chilly nights preserve a wonderfully vibrant acidity and a taut, slender shape in the fruit, resulting in wines of exceptional crystalline clarity and modern sophistication.