Jan A

9.5

My first Standish from the cellar. After raving reviews from amongst others the WA, bought some at relative low prices (v.s. the 96+ish ratings across their range).

This is young but full of potential. I'd give these 10 years of cellar time based on this bottle, but you can definitely drink this now. It is modernly made with ripe and rounded tannins. It has a very compact core that reminds me of how SQN wines are made, but then with the Australian flavor profile. It is almost too seamless / polished, so that it is coming across as flat on first sight. Nothing sticks out. But with air more and more layers come to play. It just needs more time.

95+ for now with 98ish potential in a few years.

The 2022's just came out with 98-100 scores. I guess it is time to stock these up before prices begin to soar.

— 16 days ago

Andrew Olsen

9.1

Can’t get enough of this one — 3 years ago

Phil Castellano

9.3

One of my favorite wines from Relic, a Northern California, Southern Rhône, extremely well executed. The ‘12 was a particularly good year for this one. — 4 years ago

Palmer Emmitt

Owner/Winemaker Judge Palmer

9.4

Wow. A relic from my trip to Waiheke in ‘08, it’s holding up remarkably well. Spot on Bordeaux-like character with hints of bell pepper and graphite to go along with seamless tannin and racy acidity. The fruit character is still bright and sings with cranberry, cherry and red cassis in perfect harmony with the structure of the wine. Glad I waited and glad I have another bottle! — 21 days ago

Daniel Bloom

9.0

Strawberries, tannin , some almond.
Delicious w a slight chill. Some get a sanguine quality. There’s no escaping Piedmontese acidity. So for fans, great.A delicious relic that’s survived thankfully. Still rustic but delish.
— 3 years ago

with Sarah

David T

Independent Sommelier/Wine Educator

9.5

If you have not had this producer of Shiraz from Barossa, you are missing out on some special wines from very old vines. In the case of “The Relic” 100 year old vines. We walked the Standish Estate vines w/ Dan in April 2017. They yield a paltry 500 pounds of fruit per acre. Normally, very high quality wine are around 2,00-2,500 pounds of fruit per acre. So, his wines are from small concentrated berries.

You won’t find his wines in the US except on the secondary markets. He doesn’t have or need a US importer as he sells everything he makes through his mailing list. However, worth seeking out. Also, his wines need to age and you can find them this old. I have numerous times.

Dan started out in Barossa and then gathered much of winemaking knowledge working his way through Europe for several producers and a majority of them in France.

When he returned to Australia, he became the Winemaker at Torbreck before starting “The Standish Wine Company.”

I’ve posted several of his wines with detailed notes and will let them speak here. Cheers!

— 4 years ago

Jake Hajer

9.2

This was interesting and enjoyable. Slightly cloudy, candied dusty cherry. Light bodied. — 3 months ago

Antra Stabler

9.7

In line with the relic. Slightly purple tongue. Fruity, but not overpowering. — a year ago

Daryl Golden

9.2

Super delicious — 3 years ago

Neil Valenzuela

9.1

Deep ruby color. Aromas of plum, pepper, dark chocolate and graphite. Dry wine, gorgeous black fruit, baking spices and a Forrest floor/ mushroom finish.

🥇 90 points Wine Enthusiasts — 5 years ago