The 2018 Standish Shiraz from the Barossa Valley in South Australia is a standout example of the Syrah varietal. With a substantial alcohol content of 14.9%, this red wine is produced by Standish and sealed with a cork closure.
Robert Parker's Wine Advocate awarded this wine a perfect score of 100 points, with the reviewer noting its complexity and potential for perfection. The wine is described as "gorgeously perfumed" with nuanced aromas of herbal tea, raspberries, blackberries, and licorice. Its full-bodied, plush, and creamy texture culminates in a long, elegant finish.
James Suckling gave the wine an impressive 98 points, highlighting its origins from a Greenock parcel with an ironstone base. He describes the wine as "super complex and fragrant," noting the presence of intense raspberries, blackberries, and a distinctive Rhône-like blood-orange edge. The wine's oak-driven spicy notes complement its dark-berry and dark-chocolate aromas. Suckling emphasizes the wine's polished, silky texture and luxurious power, advising that it can be enjoyed now or held for later.
Decanter also praises the wine, awarding it 97 points. Their review describes it as having an "assertive" acid and tannin structure that softens with time and air. The wine is noted for its intense, sinewy, and creamy fruit flavors, including raspberry, damson, and blackberry. Additional notes of spice, mint, mocha, and hints of charcuterie and earth contribute to its complexity. The vineyard's unique terroir, featuring ironstone gravels and schist over red clay and ironstone bedrock, adds a distinctive character to the wine.
Overall, the 2018 Standish Shiraz is celebrated for its complexity, luxurious texture, and potential for aging, earning high praise across multiple reviews.