Standish Lamella Shiraz 2019

"I consider Dan Standish the reigning king of Barossa Shiraz."  Joe Czerwinski, Wine Advocate

Dan Standish has the Barossa Valley running through his veins. A 6th Generation native, Dan created his Standish label in 1999 whilst still working at Torbreck. Today his wines are some of the most highly sought-after in the world and are critically acclaimed both here in Australia and internationally.

"Feels quite controlled, etched with fine tannin, long and concentrated. The coffee-licked tannins are brilliant, freshness is here, the wine set more towards medium-full bodied rather than full-full bodied. Very good wine. Cruises along at a sexy hum."  Mike Bennie

The Lamella is an imperious and beguiling wine, the pinnacle of Eden Valley Shiraz. A wine to rival Hensche's Hill of Grace and Mt Edelstone. Fruit is sourced from the Angas family vineyard, Hutton Vale Farm. This vineyard is right in the middle of Mt Edelstone and Hill of Grace vineyards as the crow flies. Cuttings came from the Mt Edelstone vineyard and were planted in the early 1960s. 

Erin Larkin reviews the 2019 Standish Lamella Shiraz (10:22 into the video)

Expert reviews

"It's got that whiff of bacon fat and blackberry on the nose, pinning it firmly in the Eden. The tannins that wrap the fruit are black and sinewy, but they create a framework that will allow the fruit to expand within it as it opens up. The shape of this wine is undulating and consistent over the palate – it allows you to read the fruit and spice on the horizontal… expanding and contracting like breath. Supremely elegant in the context of the 2019 vintage, and the most open of the four wines in this release. An astounding wine of power and restraint – the pick of the bunch – if we must. The savoury spray of dry ground spice over tannin through the finish is a highlight – its powdery and complex at once. Pretty epic stuff. 14.9% alc."  Erin Larkin, erinlarkin.com.au – 97 points

"Very fragrant and richly fruited nose with red plum, licorice, blueberry and forest wood, as well as a lightly peppery edge. The palate holds a plush and very intense edge of concentrated red plums, blueberries and mulberries, plenty of spice and a hint of chocolate at the fresh, long and focused finish. Drink over the next decade."  James Suckling, JamesSuckling.com - 97 points

"Liquorice, chocolate dipped cherries, sage and spice, moderate coffee oak, almost a violet perfume. Ripe and rich, laced with graphite tannin, but carries itself with some grace, by which I mean it's powerful, but not heavy. Boysenberry pie with spicy crust, black olives, lavish tannin on a long and succulent finish. Drink 2023-2034."  Gary Walsh, The Wine Front - 96 points

"Bold scents of ripe plum, brined black olives, anise, violets, game meat and old spice cupboard. Feels quite controlled, etched with fine tannin, long and concentrated. Almost a mouth-perfume like character, perhaps the inkier booze speaking a little, but the coffee-licked tannins are brilliant, freshness is here, the wine set more towards medium-full bodied rather than full-full bodied. Very good wine. Cruises along at a sexy hum. Drink : 2023 - 2034."  Mike Bennie, The Wine Front - 96 points

Lamella

100% Shiraz. 100% whole bunch. Sourced from the Angas family vineyard, Hutton Vale Farm, Eden Valley. Cuttings came from the Mt Edelstone vineyard and were planted in the early 1960s. The Angas family originally owned the Mt Edelstone vineyard – they sold it to the Henschke family. This vineyard is right in the middle of Mt Edelstone and Hill of Grace vineyards as the crow flies. Dan exclusively sources from the northern part of the vineyard.

About the Winery

Dan Standish has the Barossa Valley running through his veins. A 6th Generation native, Dan created his Standish label in 1999 whilst still working at Torbreck. Today his wines are some of the most highly sought-after in the world and are critically acclaimed both here in Australia and internationally.

Standish Wine Company is a strikingly beautiful winery located in the Barossa Valley. The winery and vineyards are owned by Dan and Nicole Standish. Dan was first introduced to the art of pruning grape vines by his grandfather at the young age of six in their ancestral vineyard. He founded The Standish Wine Company in 1999 after securing a section of his family vineyard in the Barossa Valley. The same ancient plants that Dan carefully hand pruned are now used to produce his old vine shiraz, fittingly titled 'The Relic'.

Dan and Nicole work side by side at their modern, cavernous winery. The large stone and brick building is framed by lavender bushes and grand old vines. They purchased the site in 2013 a decade after it was built by French-managed company The Colonial Estate. The structure is like something straight out of France's Rhone Valley or Spain's Rioja, both parts of the world that Dan has worked in. He also made wine in California's Napa and Sonoma Valleys, before working for Torbreck. 

The estate produces a number of examples of Barossa Shiraz, including 'The Relic', 'The Standish', The Schubert Theorem and Lamella. Each wine is produced with the utmost attention to detail, blending traditional techniques with modern technology.