By James Atkinson
Shaw + Smith will release the first wines from its Tolpuddle Vineyard in the Coal River Valley, Tasmania, in October.
The 2013 vintage was the company's second in Tasmania since acquiring the Tolpuddle vineyard, and Michael Hill-Smith this week said the winemaking team was upbeat about the early results.
"The wines from 2012, which have been safely in bottle since February – a Pinot and a Chardonnay – are really exciting us," he said.
"To try and control everyone's enthusiasm in trying to release them and get them out there is a challenge in itself."
Hill-Smith confirmed that the wines will not be released under the Shaw + Smith label, instead retaining the vineyard's 20-year old Tolpuddle name.
He was speaking at the annual release of the impressive 2013 Shaw + Smith Sauvignon Blanc, which co-founder Martin Shaw told guests was indicative of a strong 2013 vintage across the board, in spite of a few challenges. [continued below]
"I think it was one of those vintages where if you get your viticulture right… [you] end up with wines that have retained great natural acidity," he said.
"The Sauvignon has plenty of the aromatics on board you normally associate with Shaw + Smith."
Hill-Smith said the recent appointment of acclaimed winemaker, Adam Wadewitz (pictured above) had been "a breath of fresh air" for the Shaw + Smith team.