2017 Standish The Relic Shiraz - Viognier 750ml

The Relic stands out as the most exotic of the Standish collection. It boasts an impressive depth of color, featuring an impenetrable midnight black core with a deep dark red-black hue. Aromas of blackberry, licorice, and dark plum are complemented by hints of dark chocolate, smoky vanillin cedar, a subtle touch of honeysuckle, fennel, and pepper. The palate is rich and voluptuous, with intensely concentrated flavors of dark plum, licorice, and blackberry that glide smoothly across. Layers of smoky vanillin cedar, fennel, dried meats, and pepper add complexity to the lavish fruit. The wine displays remarkable purity and balance, with velvety yet robust tannins providing a gripping finish. It concludes with a long, powerful, and lusty finale. Ideal for cellaring 8-10 years.

Drinking Window: 2019-2035

97 Points - Joe Czerwinski (RobertParker.com):

"Standish's 2017 The Relic Shiraz-Viognier includes 2% Viognier, just enough to soften the wine's considerable tannins and add a floral element on the nose. Gorgeous scents of brambly blackberries and anise lead into a wine that's full-bodied and plush, long and silky, adding hints of cocoa and espresso on the finish." -Wine Advocate