The Standish Lamella 2021

The Standish Lamella is Dan Standish's Eden Valley Syrah, made from ungrafted old vines and fermented entirely with whole clusters. Eden Valley sits higher and cooler than the neighbouring Barossa floor, so the grapes ripen more slowly and keep fresher acidity and a more aromatic, peppery character. The ungrafted old vines, grown on their own roots, yield small crops of concentrated fruit. Whole-cluster fermentation keeps the stems in the ferment, which adds tannin grip, a savoury, herbal complexity and a fine floral lift to the dark fruit. The wine is then aged in barrel, where slow oxygen exchange through the wood softens the structure and integrates the oak spice. The result is a deep, full-bodied red, moderately rich rather than jammy. The nose shows blackberry and dark plum, black pepper, smoke, dried herbs and a violet-edged perfume from the whole-bunch work. The palate is structured and savoury, with firm stem-and-oak tannin, ripe fruit and a long, peppery finish at 14.9 percent. Serve at 16 to 18 degrees and decant ahead. It is a fine match for grilled and roast red meat and game.