The 2020 Standish The Relic Shiraz Viognier is an exceptional wine hailing from the Barossa Valley in South Australia. With an impressive alcohol content of 14.9%, this red wine is a proprietary blend of Shiraz and a touch of Viognier. The wine is produced by Standish, and it features a cork closure.
James Suckling has given this wine a near-perfect score of 99, describing it as "a pretty sensational wine" with flavors of blackberry, grilled meat, dark chocolate, and licorice. He highlights its full-bodied nature and the deep, poised tannins that provide a lasting mouthfeel. Suckling notes the historical significance of the vines, which were originally planted in 1912, and suggests that while the wine is drinkable now, it will be even better after a few more years, recommending to "try after 2025" (jamessuckling.com).
Similarly, Robert Parker's Wine Advocate also awarded the wine a score of 99, praising its balance and harmony. The review notes that the wine is crafted from the Hongell family vineyard in Krondorf, with 15% to 20% whole bunches in the ferment and 1% Viognier skins co-fermented. The Advocate highlights the wine's blend of floral and stone fruit notes with savory, muscular Shiraz, mentioning flavors of bacon fat, pure berry fruit, and spice. The review lauds the harmonious balance between the varieties, remarking that this vintage is "the best I’ve seen it" (Robert Parker's Wine Advocate).
Overall, the 2020 Standish The Relic Shiraz Viognier is an outstanding example of Australian winemaking, offering a combination of rich flavors and sophisticated balance that has earned it high praise from esteemed reviewers.