Standish The Relic Shiraz Viognier 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.

"So much to sniff on. Supple, soft and juicy in the palate, though there's some tension in the texture and it finishes long, fanning out magnificently. A sense of poise and lift too. Wonderful, elegant, big-lush expression."  Mike Bennie

The Relic is Dan's powerhouse Shiraz Viognier blend. It's the Barossa meets Côte-Rôtie, or  'Côte-Rôtie on steroids' as Gary Walsh opined. As head winemaker at Torbreck, Dan crafted the Run Rig, Torbreck's larger-than-life old vine Shiraz Viognier, and he brings all that knowledge to the fore with 'The Relic'. Full-bodied, lush, creamy-textured and silky.

Erin Larkin reviews the 2019 Standish The Relic Shiraz Viognier (2:43 into the video)

Expert reviews

"The shiraz is muscly and taut beneath the slip of viognier that sits atop. This is brawny and svelte at once – summer apricot, red licorice, blackberry, star anise and spice. I can't get away from the chermoula lamb vibe that this is giving off, perhaps it's just a good food suggest. The tannins are polished by the viognier, but retain and gravelly, brutish pitch. This is all curves and streamline, the shape of the wine commands time to let it unravel and straighten out. A class act, a wine for the ages – certainly it'll live for ages… picking up red raspberry and strawberry as it coasts along, it's really opening up – giving rise to the suggestion that the wines are compressed and tight right now. The Relic has a bounce and a chew about it – it's a little flick as it leaves the building, enough to yearn to get it back in – come back! We want more! 14.9% alc."  Erin Larkin, erinlarkin.com.au – 97 points

"From the Hongell Vineyard, sees 1% viognier used. A very gentle seasoning. Big perfume, ripe berries, floral whiffs, sweet, turned earth character, jellied plum, blackcurrant pastilles. So much to sniff on. Supple, soft and juicy in the palate, though there's some tension in the texture and it finishes long, fanning out magnificently. A sense of poise and lift too. Wonderful, elegant, big-lush expression. Drink 2021 - 2036."  Mike Bennie, The Wine Front - 95 points

"Pumping out perfume, white flowers, blackcurrant jubes, spice, chocolate orange. Slick, supple silky tannin, rich dark juice-laden flavour, clean acidity, big aromatics and a mudslide of fine silty tannin on a long finish. Not my preferred style, but of undeniably high quality."  Gary Walsh, The Wine Front - 95 points

The relic

99% Shiraz, 1% Viognier. Sourced from the Hongell Family Vineyard, Krondorf. Planted on own roots in 1991. Clay Loam over weathered bedrock with intermittent bands of quartz. Shiraz grown in this part of the Barossa tends to be very aggressively tannic. We planted a single row of Viognier alongside the Shiraz, which is picked on the same morning and co-fermented. The co-fermentation of even a tiny amount of Viognier not only adds heady aromatics to the mix but also softens the otherwise firm tannins. 

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.