Wine Review: Standish Wine Company's 'Epic' Lamella Shiraz

I had let myself go. My lunch technique, once one of renown and feared by many, had withered somewhat. Sometimes the road back to peak lunch fitness begins with just one step, so I gladly accepted the invitation to a long lunch at Vintners Bar & Grill in the Barossa with winemakers Dan Standish and Fraser McKinley.

Well sated — and to prove that good things come of long lunches — in true Barossa style we retreated back to Standish’s winery on Kalimna Road to try a few wines and barrels. There were many highlights during the tasting but one, from Eden Valley fruit, stood out.

The Lamella hails from the Stonegarden vineyard just outside Springton. Planted in 1858, the grapes from this particular vineyard are much sought-after and the Lamella is testament to the vineyard’s reputation amongst local winemakers. It’s epic.

Deeply coloured with deep-set dark and red plum and berry fruits underscored by spice and earth, it is a wine that impresses with both its sheer intensity and depth of fruit but also its high resolution and detail. There is a floral top-note, too — perhaps violets — lifting the aroma of the wine.

For all its depth and latent power there is a fine sheen of acidity that lightens its form and a curtain of tannin providing ample support. Perfectly balanced, this is drinking well now and will do so beautifully into the future. Superb.

THE STANDISH WINE COMPANY 2015 Lamella Shiraz

standishwineco.com