"There is no producer in Australia who is more dedicated to the pursuit of excellence than Dan Standish." This high praise from the legendary James Halliday serves as the perfect introduction to The Standish Wine Co.'s "The Relic" Shiraz-Viognier. A sixth-generation Barossan, Dan Standish has moved beyond his storied tenure at Torbreck to establish what is arguably the most meticulous winemaking operation in Australia today. His vision is uncompromising; he often discards up to 80% of his production to ensure that only the most transcendent barrels make the final cut. This surgical precision, combined with a commitment to old, ungrafted vines and traditional, low-intervention techniques—like foot-crushing and wild-yeast fermentation—has cemented "The Relic" as a modern icon of the Barossa.

The critical track record for "The Relic" is nothing short of breathtaking, representing a "winning hand" that few wineries in the world can match. The Wine Advocate has anointed this bottling with scores ranging from 94 to 99 points in 11 of the last 14 years reviewed. The 2021 vintage continues this dominant streak, earning a massive 98-point score from Erin Larkin, who described it as "creamy, plush, and almost sybaritic." Larkin, a vocal champion of the Standish style, notes that while the wine reaches a powerful 15.5% alcohol, it carries its weight with such poise and balance that the heat is virtually invisible, replaced instead by an "outlay of fruit and tannin" that defines the very top tier of global wine production.

The 2021 growing season in the Barossa was what Dan Standish aptly calls a "Goldilocks vintage"—not too hot, not too cold, but just right. After several years of drought-stricken yields, 2021 provided a mild, unhurried ripening period that allowed for incredible flavor development alongside high natural acidity. For "The Relic," this meant a 1% co-fermentation of Viognier and an increased 25% whole-bunch component, resulting in a wine that possesses a "pitch-perfect architecture" (as Dave Brookes of Halliday Wine Companion put it). It is a wine of intense detail, where the "meaty/bacon fat" savory notes of a Northern Rhône meet the opulent, velvet-textured fruit density that only the Barossa can provide.

For the serious collector, "The Relic" is a strategic necessity that adds immense breadth to a cellar. Napa Cabernet lovers will find a familiar power and luxuriously polished tannin profile, while New World Rhône enthusiasts will revel in the explosive aromatics of violet and spice. Yet, for those who collect the great Hermitage or Côte-Rôtie bottlings of France, this is "Côte-Rôtie on steroids"—a wine that offers a similar structural complexity but with a distinctive Barossan soul. This is a "no-brainer" acquisition for the Australian aficionado, standing shoulder-to-shoulder with legends like Henschke’s Mt. Edelstone or the iconic wines of Torbreck. In a vintage this spectacular, "The Relic" isn't just a wine; it is a benchmark of what is possible when ancient vines meet a master's deft touch.

Critical Acclaim:

98 Points, Wine Advocate:

“ … made with fruit from the Hongell family vineyard, Krondorf. It was made with 1% Viognier co-fermented, with 25% whole bunches in the ferment this year, up from 15% to 20% in 2020. The Relic is one of Australia’s greatest Shiraz Viognier wines, and it’s a sure thing each year for quality and execution of style. In 2020, it was my preferred wine of the collection for its savory, meaty/bacon fat/bloody character. All elements were in balance, and it managed a savory and floral drive within the same glass. Super cool. This year, I love the wine for all the opposite reasons. The 2021 is creamy, plush and almost sybaritic in its outlay of fruit and tannin. At 15.5% alcohol, it's the highest alcohol wine in the 2021 release, yet it doesn’t show that via warmth or harshness in the wine. The whole-bunch component is up slightly this year from last, and honestly, it feels completely invisible in the wine. This is undoubtedly the biggest, most plush wine in the collection, but true to form for Standish, it is balanced and fresh, with a long future in front of it. - Erin Larkin, WA