The 2021 The Relic Shiraz-Viognier is 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.

The radiant 2021 The Relic, made with Shiraz and a touch of Viognier, is very well composed with vibrant, lush chocolate truffle black licorice aromas against a backdrop of sweet blackberry and a dusting of spice. A plush velvety palate follows, with waves of dark berry, violet and smoky fire-pit flavors. Firm-edged tannins provide a strong backbone and support a long, impressive finish. The 2021 is a sleeper that will come together in time.

Overtly floral lifted nose of violets with chocolate, rich and jammy with a ripe, apricot jam edge. Concentrated and powerful with very dense tannins. Nominated by Rupert Owen.