The Standish The Relic 2021

The Standish The Relic is a Barossa Valley Syrah co-fermented with a small portion of Viognier, the technique long associated with Côte-Rôtie in the northern Rhône. Adding the white Viognier skins to the red ferment binds with the Syrah pigments to stabilise and deepen the colour, while the aromatic grape lifts the wine with a floral, stone-fruit perfume that the red grape alone does not give. The fruit comes from the warm Barossa floor, where old Shiraz vines ripen fully to a generous 15.5 percent and yield concentrated dark fruit. The wine is aged 22 months in barrel, the long élevage allowing slow oxygen exchange through the wood to soften the firm tannin and integrate the oak spice. The result is a deep, full-bodied and perfumed red. The nose combines ripe blackberry and dark plum with black pepper, smoke and liquorice, lifted by apricot and white-peach notes from the Viognier. The palate is rich and powerful, the ripe fruit carried on firm tannin, warm alcohol and a long, spiced finish. Serve at 16 to 18 degrees and decant well ahead. It suits rich roast meat and game.