The Standish Wine Company

Single Vineyard Shiraz

9.4114 ratings
9.427 pro ratings
Barossa Valley, Barossa, South Australia, Australia
Shiraz
Beef, Venison, Chocolate & Caramel, White Rice, Lamb, Pasta, Potato, Mushrooms, Salami & Prosciutto, Chili & Hot Spicy, Tomato-Based, Pork, Pungent Cheese, Hard Cheese, Onion, Shallot, Garlic
Top Notes For
Alex Lallos

Owner No Limit Fine Wines, Private Wine Consultant

9.4

Such a massively endowed wine. Côte rotie meets barossa. Power, dark blue fruits, scorched earth, pan grille and bacon. Would love to revisit in a decade or more

Such a massively endowed wine. Côte rotie meets barossa. Power, dark blue fruits, scorched earth, pan grille and bacon. Would love to revisit in a decade or more

Nov 30th, 2022
Bob McDonald

No formal notes. Rich plummy aromas and obviously the product of old vines. Standish has somewhat of a cult wine following in Australia and sells out quickly. I have a variety in my cellar covering 3 Cuvées but yet to open because of the youth of the wines. Rich without weight or heaviness - easy to love. I would argue no better than Sami Odi at less money for the latter. David Trumper, former Delectable correspondent, was a huge fan of Standish.

No formal notes. Rich plummy aromas and obviously the product of old vines. Standish has somewhat of a cult wine following in Australia and sells out quickly. I have a variety in my cellar covering 3 Cuvées but yet to open because of the youth of the wines. Rich without weight or heaviness - easy to love. I would argue no better than Sami Odi at less money for the latter. David Trumper, former Delectable correspondent, was a huge fan of Standish.

Feb 19th, 2022
David T

Independent Sommelier/Wine Educator

9.5

If you have not had this producer of Shiraz from Barossa, you are missing out on some special wines from very old vines. In the case of “The Relic” 100 year old vines. We walked the Standish Estate vines w/ Dan in April 2017. They yield a paltry 500 pounds of fruit per acre. Normally, very high quality wine are around 2,00-2,500 pounds of fruit per acre. So, his wines are from small concentrated berries.

You won’t find his wines in the US except on the secondary markets. He doesn’t have or need a US importer as he sells everything he makes through his mailing list. However, worth seeking out. Also, his wines need to age and you can find them this old. I have numerous times.

Dan started out in Barossa and then gathered much of winemaking knowledge working his way through Europe for several producers and a majority of them in France.

When he returned to Australia, he became the Winemaker at Torbreck before starting “The Standish Wine Company.”

I’ve posted several of his wines with detailed notes and will let them speak here. Cheers!

If you have not had this producer of Shiraz from Barossa, you are missing out on some special wines from very old vines. In the case of “The Relic” 100 year old vines. We walked the Standish Estate vines w/ Dan in April 2017. They yield a paltry 500 pounds of fruit per acre. Normally, very high quality wine are around 2,00-2,500 pounds of fruit per acre. So, his wines are from small concentrated berries.

You won’t find his wines in the US except on the secondary markets. He doesn’t have or need a US importer as he sells everything he makes through his mailing list. However, worth seeking out. Also, his wines need to age and you can find them this old. I have numerous times.

Dan started out in Barossa and then gathered much of winemaking knowledge working his way through Europe for several producers and a majority of them in France.

When he returned to Australia, he became the Winemaker at Torbreck before starting “The Standish Wine Company.”

I’ve posted several of his wines with detailed notes and will let them speak here. Cheers!

May 31st, 2021
David T

Independent Sommelier/Wine Educator

9.5

So, many of you have not had the pleasure of having Dan’s wines. It is largely due to the fact he doesn’t have a US importer. He sells all his mid production level wines through his mailing list. That makes importing from his mailing list as restrictive as the import fees. They are equal to the price of the wines you order. Not something you’ll do. I didn’t. You need to find his wines on the secondary market to be cost effective.

We had the privilege of visiting his Cellar Door in the Spring of 2017. What a fantastic visit and walk of his Estate with him. The age of his Estate vines are 100 plus years old and their yield is less than a ton per acre which, does not make for a lot of wine but, instead a very concentrated wine.

Dan traveled to and worked in many of the key wine regions before settling in as Torbreck’s Winemaker and then marching to his own drum doing his own thing as “The Standish”, his way. No compromises.

The first thing you need to know about Dan’s wines is you can drink them early but, that would be a huge mistake. This 03 is sensational now but, is worthy of more cellaring. It has 10-20 years of life ahead of it...proper storage of course.

This is a second night wine for us and it is still big.

The nose reveals smokey; blackberries, black raspberries, black plum skin, black cherries, blueberries, mulberries/boysenberries, baked/poached strawberries & some raspberries, sweet tarriness, dark berry cola, black pepper, steeped tea, eucalyptus, mint, tree bark with sap, herbaceous, dry crushed rocks, nutmeg, clove, cinnamon, vanilla, moist, forest floor with dry leaves with withering; dark, red, purple flowers framed in violets & strong lavender.

The body is full, round, lush & ruby. The tannins are still big, round, tarry & meaty. The structure, tension, length & balance are just there & yet still not there. It is still a monster on day two. Smokey; blackberries, black raspberries, black plum skin, black cherries, blueberries, mulberries/boysenberries, baked/poached strawberries & some raspberries, sweet tarriness, grilled meats, dark berry cola, black pepper, steeped tea, eucalyptus, mint, tree bark with sap, herbaceous-sage & rosemary, used charcoal, graphite, dark spice with palate heat, burned ambers, incense, rubber toy, dry crushed rocks, moist clay & top soil, dry stone, nutmeg, clove, cinnamon, vanilla, moist, forest floor with dry leaves with withering; dark, red, purple flowers framed in violets & strong lavender. The acidity is round and a rushing river. The extremely long finish is, big, round, elegant, floral, well balanced, runs juicy to dry with persistence for days falling onto earthiness & dark spice on the long set.

Photos of, a plaque that hangs above my kitchen sink that speaks to me always, Dan Standish, his Cellar Door and surrounding buildings.

So, many of you have not had the pleasure of having Dan’s wines. It is largely due to the fact he doesn’t have a US importer. He sells all his mid production level wines through his mailing list. That makes importing from his mailing list as restrictive as the import fees. They are equal to the price of the wines you order. Not something you’ll do. I didn’t. You need to find his wines on the secondary market to be cost effective.

We had the privilege of visiting his Cellar Door in the Spring of 2017. What a fantastic visit and walk of his Estate with him. The age of his Estate vines are 100 plus years old and their yield is less than a ton per acre which, does not make for a lot of wine but, instead a very concentrated wine.

Dan traveled to and worked in many of the key wine regions before settling in as Torbreck’s Winemaker and then marching to his own drum doing his own thing as “The Standish”, his way. No compromises.

The first thing you need to know about Dan’s wines is you can drink them early but, that would be a huge mistake. This 03 is sensational now but, is worthy of more cellaring. It has 10-20 years of life ahead of it...proper storage of course.

This is a second night wine for us and it is still big.

The nose reveals smokey; blackberries, black raspberries, black plum skin, black cherries, blueberries, mulberries/boysenberries, baked/poached strawberries & some raspberries, sweet tarriness, dark berry cola, black pepper, steeped tea, eucalyptus, mint, tree bark with sap, herbaceous, dry crushed rocks, nutmeg, clove, cinnamon, vanilla, moist, forest floor with dry leaves with withering; dark, red, purple flowers framed in violets & strong lavender.

The body is full, round, lush & ruby. The tannins are still big, round, tarry & meaty. The structure, tension, length & balance are just there & yet still not there. It is still a monster on day two. Smokey; blackberries, black raspberries, black plum skin, black cherries, blueberries, mulberries/boysenberries, baked/poached strawberries & some raspberries, sweet tarriness, grilled meats, dark berry cola, black pepper, steeped tea, eucalyptus, mint, tree bark with sap, herbaceous-sage & rosemary, used charcoal, graphite, dark spice with palate heat, burned ambers, incense, rubber toy, dry crushed rocks, moist clay & top soil, dry stone, nutmeg, clove, cinnamon, vanilla, moist, forest floor with dry leaves with withering; dark, red, purple flowers framed in violets & strong lavender. The acidity is round and a rushing river. The extremely long finish is, big, round, elegant, floral, well balanced, runs juicy to dry with persistence for days falling onto earthiness & dark spice on the long set.

Photos of, a plaque that hangs above my kitchen sink that speaks to me always, Dan Standish, his Cellar Door and surrounding buildings.

Nov 29th, 2020
Peter van den Besselaar

Vintage 2009 / good concentration. Brushwood in smell, as well as bouillon. Complex smell, multi layered. It opens like a peacock tail. Cherries in a wonderful mature and yet vivid taste. Elegance. Long aftertaste that impresses me.

Vintage 2009 / good concentration. Brushwood in smell, as well as bouillon. Complex smell, multi layered. It opens like a peacock tail. Cherries in a wonderful mature and yet vivid taste. Elegance. Long aftertaste that impresses me.

Jan 28th, 2020
Ceccherini Cristiano

I really like this
I reckon it'd be hard to say this is a Barossa Shiraz without doubting
The fruit is not jammy, it is actually rather vibrant and fresh
Lots of little details around and a long finish
Wine in balance, but it can age too quite a while
I'd put this in the bracket of Barossa that I truly enjoy🙏

I really like this
I reckon it'd be hard to say this is a Barossa Shiraz without doubting
The fruit is not jammy, it is actually rather vibrant and fresh
Lots of little details around and a long finish
Wine in balance, but it can age too quite a while
I'd put this in the bracket of Barossa that I truly enjoy🙏

Nov 9th, 2019
Peter van den Besselaar

Vintage 2005

Vintage 2005

Nov 1st, 2019
Shay A
9.5

This was my contribution. As I have really gotten in to Aussie wines the last year or two, I’ve always wanted to try this wine (of any vintage), and couldn’t believe my luck when a local acquaintance who is wanting to downsize his cellar offered me two bottles at an amazing price. Upon opening, I was hit with smoked brisket, touch of bacon fat, and ripe blackberries. Not quite gamey or funky, but definitely savory in style. As it opened, the meat/savory notes came and went ever so often, allowing purity of the blackberries, boysenberries, and black cherries to shine. Charcoal smoke with baked fig arrive at the finish. A complex, delicious wine, and right up my alley for the style of wine I enjoy. @David T , you were correct in thinking I’d love this!

This was my contribution. As I have really gotten in to Aussie wines the last year or two, I’ve always wanted to try this wine (of any vintage), and couldn’t believe my luck when a local acquaintance who is wanting to downsize his cellar offered me two bottles at an amazing price. Upon opening, I was hit with smoked brisket, touch of bacon fat, and ripe blackberries. Not quite gamey or funky, but definitely savory in style. As it opened, the meat/savory notes came and went ever so often, allowing purity of the blackberries, boysenberries, and black cherries to shine. Charcoal smoke with baked fig arrive at the finish. A complex, delicious wine, and right up my alley for the style of wine I enjoy. @David T , you were correct in thinking I’d love this!

Aug 26th, 2019
TJ Maxwell

Big and bold. Very pleasurable, hedonistic style. Great w grilled steak

Big and bold. Very pleasurable, hedonistic style. Great w grilled steak

Jan 1st, 2019
Bob McDonald

A new entry into the Excellent category and one of the hot newer Barossa wineries. Getting some rave reviews in the overseas press. Langtons tasting in September 2018.

A new entry into the Excellent category and one of the hot newer Barossa wineries. Getting some rave reviews in the overseas press. Langtons tasting in September 2018.

Sep 19th, 2018