TN: Shaw and Smith M3 Chardonnay

Gavin Trott · Post by **Gavin Trott** » Thu Mar 11, 2004 3:47 pm

Hi all

Sorry for so many retailer tasting notes but

a) I don't often get to try this many really good wines in one week

and

b) I'd love more tasting notes posted on the forum so thought I'd better do my bit! ... Help me out, anything from one line, to a book, it all helps the forum members and lurkers.

Wow, about the best Chardonnay I've had recently from Australia ... bar none. The Leeuwin is bigger, the Cape Mentelle is rich and intense, but for overall balance and style, this is the one!

2002 Shaw and Smith M3 Chardonnay

Absolutely polished and perfumed nose of melon, white peaches, cashews and much more, faint whiffs of creme brulee and vanilla plus a touch of spice, very alluring. The palate is all about poise and balance, nothing overdone, creamy edged fruit all the way through the long palate, a long and very satisfying finish, with that Adelaide Hills natural acid shining through.

This wine WILL cellar unlike many Aussie Chards. On tasting that day were every vintage back to 2000. The 2000 is still light coloured, fresh, complex, with life ahead of it, and believe me, when released the 2000 was not a patch on this 2002. In 3-5 years this wine is going to be stunning!

Grant · Post by **Grant** » Thu Mar 11, 2004 6:40 pm

Gavin,

I agree there needs to be more tasting notes. One of the problems appears to be that all the notes appear under the " Sunday report " that TORB puts on every week. This is not meant as a criticism of that at all,but what I feel it does is restrict the amount of discussion on all the wines that are sampled each week, as there are no new sub headings or titles for people to grasp onto. I feel things would be a lot more active if each persons note was individually titled. Not sure what you think,or what to do about it,and again,this is not a snipe at anyone,merely an observation that people may or may not agree with.

Cheers

Wizz · Post by **Wizz** » Thu Mar 11, 2004 8:13 pm

Yep, I liked it too (from an older post):

02 M3 Chardonnay: A bit more colour here. Cashew and honeysuckle, figs and melons nose. Palate also shows fresh honeydew and very subtle oak. Elegantly styled, and lovely. Give this a little time for the fruit to blossom and it will be very fine indeed.

For me a step behind the heavyweights (Leeuwin, Giaconda et al), but punches at its weight at $30-$35.

Another one to look out for in this price range is the 02 Voyager, also a stunner.

Cheers

Andrew

Gavin Trott · Post by **Gavin Trott** » Sun Mar 14, 2004 1:01 pm

Grant wrote:Gavin,

I agree there needs to be more tasting notes. One of the problems appears to be that all the notes appear under the " Sunday report " that TORB puts on every week. This is not meant as a criticism of that at all,but what I feel it does is restrict the amount of discussion on all the wines that are sampled each week, as there are no new sub headings or titles for people to grasp onto. I feel things would be a lot more active if each persons note was individually titled. Not sure what you think,or what to do about it,and again,this is not a snipe at anyone,merely an observation that people may or may not agree with.

Cheers

Hello

I agree, and disagree.

The fact that there is one topic and lots of posts in it probably encourages the shy to post a note as one of many. I'm not sure they would all have the confidence, or take the time, to post their own tasting notes, which would be the ideal.

How about a compromise, those who feel comfortable in the 'What ave Yopu Been Drinking ' thread keep posting, those who wiosh to, please do post a separate tatsing note with TN: in front of it?

Gavin Trott · Post by **Gavin Trott** » Sun Mar 14, 2004 1:01 pm

Grant wrote:Gavin,

I agree there needs to be more tasting notes. One of the problems appears to be that all the notes appear under the " Sunday report " that TORB puts on every week. This is not meant as a criticism of that at all,but what I feel it does is restrict the amount of discussion on all the wines that are sampled each week, as there are no new sub headings or titles for people to grasp onto. I feel things would be a lot more active if each persons note was individually titled. Not sure what you think,or what to do about it,and again,this is not a snipe at anyone,merely an observation that people may or may not agree with.

Cheers

Hello

I agree, and disagree.

The fact that there is one topic and lots of posts in it probably encourages the shy to post a note as one of many. I'm not sure they would all have the confidence, or take the time, to post their own tasting notes, which would be the ideal.

How about a compromise, those who feel comfortable in the 'What Have You Been Drinking ' thread keep posting, those who wish to, please do post a separate tatsing note with TN: in front of it?