After 3 long, COVID-interrupted years, today saw the return of the famed Shaw + Smith Yum Cha lunch.
This (normally) annual event sees the S + S team dispatched to different parts of the country to spruik the latest releases over a bowl of dumplings/tasty Asian morsels.
In Sydney, this lunch is held in the echoing halls of perpetually-busy Merivale Asian classic Mr Wong, and it feels like an institution on my annual calendar. Always in July, it’s always fresh outside, and the Sauvignon Blanc is always fresh inside.
I don’t think I’ve missed many of these Shaw + Smith Yum Cha feasts in the last decade tbh, and it was a re-rightening of the force to be diving into some of Sydney town’s finest salt & pepper squid with a bloody delicious glass of the Shaw + Smith M3 Chardonnay 2021 today.
Although, we can’t ignore the new Shaw + Smith Sauvignon Blanc 2022 as a starter. Interestingly, the 2021 vintage of this white has long sold out, which doesn’t always happen (ie, the vintages normally just roll into each often). Who said Sauv was dead? This straddles the fresh and grassy/ juicy line and looks in pretty classic form. I’ll have another squizz over a bottle, but it’s a strong release based on my taster.
My favourite wine today, though, was the Shaw + Smith M3 Chardonnay 2021. I’ve already heaped praise on this wine although I thought it looked somewhat embryonic a few months back. Today; it was a textured, complex yet fresh, spot on delight. 95 points all the way home.
Oh and a special shout-out to the Shaw + Smith Pinot Noir 2021, which again looked so impressive in its Pinosity and delicacy. I liked the Chardonnay more, but not much in it.
A few other tidbits from lunch today:
- The new MMAD Blewitt Springs wines will be released in August. Drawn from a vineyard purchased by Martin Shaw, Michael Hill-Smith, Adam Wadewitz & David LeMire (hence the MMAD bit) there will be Grenache, Shiraz & Chenin Blanc.
- It will be ten years since the release of the first Tolpuddle wines later this year. That went quickly.
2 Comments
How was the Shiraz Andrew?
Good, as expected, though I think it’s more diffuse and moody than the last bottle. I preferred the definition of the Pinot today.