The Standish 2021

The Standish is the work of Dan Standish, a sixth-generation Barossa vintner who launched his own label in 1999 alongside his work at Torbreck. This Barossa Valley Syrah was the debut wine and remains the cornerstone of the range. The Barossa floor is warm and reliably sunny, with old, deep-rooted Shiraz vines that draw on ancient, weathered soils to give small berries of concentrated, dark fruit at a ripe 14.9 percent. The wine is aged 22 months in French oak barrels. The long élevage allows slow oxygen exchange through the wood, which builds texture and softens the abundant tannin, while French oak adds spice and a fine grain rather than heavy sweetness. The result is a deep, near-opaque red. The nose is concentrated, with ripe blackberry and dark plum, cracked black pepper, liquorice, smoke and dark chocolate. The palate is full and dense, the ripe fruit carried on firm but polished tannin, warm alcohol and a long, spiced finish. This is a powerful wine built to age. Serve at 16 to 18 degrees and decant an hour or two ahead in a large glass. It suits rich roast and grilled red meat.