From a prolific sixth generation Barossa Valley grape growing family, Dan Standish knows a thing or two about vines and the vineyards of the region. Harvest stints in California’s Napa and Sonoma valleys, La Rioja and Yecla in Spain coupled with extensive travel and study of France’s Rhône Valley reinforce his intricate local knowledge with a diverse international bent. The Standish Wine Company vintage cellar and barrel store is intimately designed to fully embrace and nurture the individuality afforded by clone, soil and aspect. Tiny open top oak fermentation vats allow single parcels – even single rows – to be vinified separately, enhancing the intricate personality of each specific soil profile.

Ripe raspberry, mint and sage, something of a maple syrup smell, exotic spice, slight cut capsicum and creamy oak. So, quite a bit going on here. Full-bodied, black and red fruit, a nutty toffee thing, firm chamois-like tannin, plenty of length with a cool ‘mineral’ feel to acidity. Nice wine. Distinct. Date: Jun 2023; Alcohol: 14.9%; Closure: Cork; Drink: 2025-2035; Rated: 95+ Points; Gary Walsh; The Wine Front

A mesh of red berries, regional Aussie bush characters, white pepper, alpine herb and touches of mocha and salted liquorice. Incredibly dense but almost held to a medium bodied weight, a sense of quality, lacy tannin but with authority and a distinct persistence of complex, layered flavours of fruit and herbal inflection. A beautiful overall feel to the wine. It feels symphonic. Energetic too. Date: Jun 2023; Alcohol: 14.9%; Closure: Cork; Drink: 2025-2035; Rated: 96 Points; Mike Bennie; The Wine Front