Shaw + Smith Balhannah Shiraz 2020

From a close planted site within a stone’s throw from the winery. The Balhannah is always a distinctive wine. Old world in its bouquet garni of herbs and earthy tones but with lift and poise of fine modern Australian Shiraz. The 2020 is no different. Sicilian olives, blackcurrant, pomegranate molasses and fennel fronds. Sugar plum, stringybark, thyme and powdered cumin. It’s quite the journey to watch the wine unfurl its many layers. Those that adore Hermitage and its ability to transform over time, this is right up your alley. Tannins are densely packed like biting through a baklava’s filo pastry sheets and acidity really carries the flavours on and on this vintage. I’m truly impressed with the balance for a vintage that for watchful winemakers was anything but effortless. They make it look easy. Drink with a tomato based pasta loaded with anchovies, black olives and pancetta cubes.

Shanteh Wale

Contributor at Wine Companion

Shanteh cut her teeth at Sydney’s Award-Winning Quay restaurant where she worked for over a decade and was Head Sommelier from 2018 till 2022. She has been nominated for the Good Food Guide Sommelier of the Year award on three occasions and claims that her experience as a Len Evans scholar as one of the highlights of her career. Shanteh hosts her own weekly podcast ‘Over A Glass’ with the Deep in the Weeds Network and spends her time writing for various publications and judging at numerous wine shows across the country.

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