The Standish Wine Company The Standish Shiraz 2022

The Standish Wine Company has earned a Five Star rating from Halliday Wine Companion, representing the pinnacle of Australian winemaking excellence. Their wines are renowned for creating ethereal, multifaceted expressions that capture the essence of Barossa Valley terroir. Each release generates significant anticipation among collectors and critics alike, with this 2022 Shiraz earning an exceptional 96 points from Halliday, demonstrating the producer's consistent ability to craft wines of extraordinary quality and longevity.

This wine is built for the long haul and will live forever according to tasting notes, which is typical of premium Barossa Shiraz from exceptional vintages. The 2022's powerful structure, combined with its poised tannins and pure fruit expression, suggests optimal drinking from 2027-2040, though it will continue evolving gracefully beyond that timeframe. The wine's minerality and smoke characteristics will become more pronounced with age, while the wild berry core will develop secondary leather and earth complexities.

The wine's blood plum and toast characteristics, combined with its creamy vanilla pastry notes, make it ideal for rich, savoury dishes that can match its intensity. Consider pairing with slow-cooked lamb shoulder with rosemary, aged beef steaks, or game meats like venison. The smoky minerality also complements barbecued meats beautifully, while the wine's elegance allows it to work with sophisticated dishes like duck confit or mushroom-based preparations.

Barossa Valley's warm continental climate and ancient soils create ideal conditions for producing powerful, concentrated Shiraz with exceptional longevity. The region's old vine heritage, some dating back over 150 years, contributes to the complexity and depth found in wines like The Standish. The valley's unique terroir imparts characteristic smoky minerality and allows for the development of both power and finesse, creating wines that are immediately appealing yet capable of decades of evolution.

Given its full-bodied nature and young vintage, this Shiraz will benefit significantly from decanting 2-3 hours before serving to allow the powerful tannins to soften and the complex aromatics to fully express themselves. Serve at 16-18°C in large Burgundy-style glasses to maximise the wine's nuanced layers of wild berries, vanilla, and smoke. The wine's ethereal qualities will continue developing in the glass, revealing new dimensions throughout your tasting experience.