  This special pre-arrival offer ends Shipping / Delivery dates: We plan to ship July / August with an ETA into the UK of October / early November 2025. As ever, we will provide a full update once we have confirmed sailing dates. Did you know? We’ve sold a staggering 27,391 bottles of Standish (vintages 2016 to 2022) We have filled and shipped more than five (20 ft) shipping containers Sales value excluding VAT @ £1,591,050 Here’s another interesting fact… Top Cellared Wines in Australia, 2024 2022 Standish Lamella comes in at ninth position The 2023 Growing Season 2023 was the third consecutive harvest to be affected by the La Nina weather patterns across the district. Much of the harvest took place in the colder months, compressing the season. A particularly cool and damp start to the growing season through October to December 2022 dramatically reduced the rate of vine development. In addition, cooler than average conditions from veraison onwards all conspired to push back the harvest by 3-4 weeks. Veraison, if you're unfamiliar with the term, is a physiological stage of grape development where the berries stop accumulating mass and start accumulating sugar. More visibly, red grapes start their colour change from green, while white grapes take on more of a yellow tint. In April, temperatures fluctuated between 12 and 20 degrees, with evening temperatures dropping to 2 degrees. Cooler seasons in the Barossa and Eden Valley pose several challenges, such as compromised ripeness due to rain events and disease onset in certain circumstances. However, the upside to a cool season is far greater, and producers and wine enthusiasts alike hold these seasons in very high regard. Interestingly, one Barossa producer benchmarked the climatic conditions against the famous wine region, Hermitage, Northern Rhône Valley. Notably the Barossa Valley was a similar temperature (as measured by Growing Degree Days) as the Hermitage long term average, however, well under their normal growing season rainfall. It’s not always baking hot in the Barossa. In fact, the summer rain predicted, failed to fall in Barossa, receiving only 43mm (or 56%) of the average. Summer days were sunny, both maximum and minimum temperatures average. There were no summer heatwaves. Only 32 days above 30C (and 13 days above 35C) for the entire summer. Despite relatively cooler days, all Standish wines came in at the exact same alcohol level as 2022. Each wine being 14.9% (rounded up in the UK to 15.0% degrees to satisfy UK Wine Standards).
"The 2023 vintage will be remembered for excellent quality wines with fruit purity, good structure, mature tannins and great length." Eden (home to Lamella): While the winter of 2022 saw average rainfall, the latter part of the year brought cooler and above average wet weather. This led to poor flower set and encouraged the spread of downy mildew. A hail flurry on 23 January caused some damage to the growing green berries, which became sites for botrytis infections later during ripening. Shoot thinning to open up the canopy during the growing season helped to overcome disease pressure. The cool lead up to vintage resulted in a slow ripening period, allowing for great flavour development and acid retention. Rainfall during the harvest period did encourage the growth of botrytis, but careful hand selection during picking delivered good quality fruit. Despite the challenges of the season, yields were average to above average, with larger berry size compensating for the poor set. The 2023 vintage will be remembered for excellent quality wines with Riesling, Semillon and Shiraz the standout varieties. Overall, the whites show intensely perfumed aromatics with a pristine acid line and outstanding flavour concentration, while the reds are deep in colour with good structure, mature tannins and excellent length. 2023 Pricing Year-on-year price rises have become standard. The ’22 collection increased by 10% which added an extra layer to the ‘21 rise – twenty percent over the past two vintages. Previously, I warned of the inevitable increases as, to this day, The Standish Wine Co remains undervalued compared to many of their Aussie peers (qualitatively speaking). We have received a further price rise however, thankfully, this is manageable with the current exchange rate which sits in our favour. We absorbed the cost increases for the past two releases however, rising shipping prices, re-packaging costs, bonded fees, insurance, UK delivery et cetera cannot be ignored … Accordingly, we have added £10.00 to each six-pack. It’s a small figure but does help us to balance our books, and without burdening you. The ’23 collection is not ‘globally released' until early May however, we have noticed another exclusive agent offering the wines for the equivalent GBP sum of £107.00 per bottle against our offer of £76.85 (including all taxes). Availability The 2023 Collection consists of four cuvees (Lamella, The Standish, The Relic & The Schubert Theorem). All wines are offered ‘untied’ and offered on a first-come-first-served basis. As ever, our private customers receive first dibs ahead of our UK trade regulars. Our private client offer closes 9:00am Thursday 1 May. We have no plans to ship for stock. Put simply, and as per the 2022 collection, we are only shipping to order. That said, we sold through our full 2022 allocation very quickly. Delivery / transfers / storage fees Delivery: Our planned ETA into the UK is October/Early November 2025. Home deliveries will take place within a few weeks of arrival. There is no need to chase for delivery updates as we will keep all customers informed in our regular emails. Storage: Please select the 'Pre-order In Bond' option (this price is exclusive of UK duty and VAT). We will arrange all transfers once the wines are landed. Again, we will make contact with you all… If you wish to store your 2023 Standish wines within our Customer Reserves, please ensure that you log into your account prior to checking out. Please avoid checking out as a guest. Please select the 'Customer Cellar' option when checking out. Home Delivery: Please select the 'Home Delivery' option (this price includes duty and VAT). We will provide free home delivery for all orders placed during this pre-arrival campaign. "Epic, in a word… This takes fruit quality, depth and breadth to a level I have rarely encountered (and I’ve been sampling wine for over 25 years)... Full figured and very, very sexy."  2023 Standish 'Lamella' Stuart McCloskey, Tasted April 2025 "Despite being the first (globally) to sell out and a raft of critical acclaim (100-points for the 2022), I often find Lamella my least favourite of the quartet, which is a daft thing to declare as it’s still pretty, darn special. Perhaps 2023 has delivered the turning point, and will undoubtedly appeal to those seeking the plushest of plushness. From the first swirl to sniff - the heady perfume hooks you in. Intoxicating and addictive doesn’t cut the mustard. I am floored by the sheer intensity and aromatic complexity. Such an extraordinary bouquet. Addictive and would serve as the best medicine. It’s nigh on impossible to keep the superlatives under control. The intense floral character hits you first (peony and rose). Step into the most intense raspberry liqueur imaginable along with a serving of cinnamon toast, ripe mulberry and plum. I adore the sweet spicing which has a sense of exoticism. As with previous releases (and more airtime) – nori and layers of coal / graphite pervade my glass. Epic, in a word… The palate is wonderfully creamy and feels evocative and luxurious (very expensive, too). This takes fruit quality, depth and breadth to a level I have rarely encountered (and I’ve been sampling wine for over 25 years). Power and intensity does not fight to dominate. Instead, perfect harmony is delivered – intense fruit sits alongside suede-like tannins. The poise and detail are breathtaking. Obsessive in its presentation. Full figured and very, very sexy. Decanted for 24-hours (poured back into the bottle – cork left out) Served using Zalto Burgundy glassware. Drink now to 2050…" £365.00 per case (6x75cl - In Bond) Interesting titbits: The vineyard was planted with cuttings from Henschke’s Mt Edelstone vineyard in the early 1960s (which is close by) and represents the final pick of the season. The Angas family originally owned the Mt Edelstone vineyard, which they sold to the Henschke family. This vineyard is in the middle of Mt Edelstone and Hill of Grace vineyards. Dan exclusively sources from the northern part of the vineyard. We previously sold / offered wines from Hutton Vale Farm (winemaker at the time being Kym Teusner of Utopos) including their Shiraz which is produced from the ‘old block’ / Mount Edelstone cuttings… Same as Lamella! "There is no other wine like Schubert Theorem in Australia. It has all the concentration of a truly great, Aussie wine however, has the poise and grace of a wine from Margaux."  2023 Standish 'The Schubert Theorem' Stuart McCloskey, tasted April 2025 "I am not sure what sense I would miss the most - the ability to smell or taste? Save to say, this is another magical bouquet that rivets you to the spot. Certainly, a little deeper and more brooding than the ’23 Lamella. Each vintage of Schubert Theorem provides the unmissable marine influence – salt, iodine and nori coalesce beautifully with graphite / lead pencil, crème de mûre, mulberry compote, bay leaf, violet, iris, and dark pastille fruits and finishes with mineralité and a vein of blood orange. Fascinating, engaging, wonderfully grown-up, reserved (deliberately so) and sits on the savoury side. Just perfect for me… At first glance – the palate delivers similar qualities to that of the bouquet (wrapped-up in ribbons of silky tannins). She’s mellifluous and caresses like an angel. Tannins and acidity provide sculpted, structure. There is no other wine like Schubert Theorem in Australia. It has all the concentration of a truly great, Aussie wine however, has the poise and grace of a wine from Margaux. Of course, there’s the wine’s exotic personality which resonates proudly. This needs 10-15 years to unlock her true beauty, but she still deserves to be on the world stage. I genuinely find sampling Schubert Theorem an emotional experience. Each year, another extraordinary wine is born. I am humbled and so lucky to sample this ahead of the rest of the world. Decanted for 24-hours (poured back into the bottle – cork left out) Served using Zalto Burgundy glassware. Drink now to 2050…" £365.00 per case (6x75cl - In Bond) Interesting titbits: A masterful blend of six east-facing sections of the Schubert vineyard in Marananga, planted between 1994 and 1999. The Schubert vineyard may ring a bell with some of our original customers – over 1,000 bottles of (05, 06 & 07) Schubert Goose Yard Shiraz were purchased by you… Such a small, vinous world! "It’s astonishing how Dan extracts such concentration and intrigue. Profoundly good winemaking and comfortably sits alongside Australia’s elite."  2023 Standish 'The Standish' Stuart McCloskey, tasted April 2025 "Glass staining violet colour – wonderful gloss to the wine too… The bouquet is explosive to put it mildly and leads with mint, mulberry, crème de mûre, dark chocolate, exotic spices, iron filings, graphite and iodine. A mix of florals, minerals and seaweed emerge after more time in my glass. This is incredibly dense and feels bottomless – It’s astonishing how Dan extracts such concentration and intrigue. The palate follows a similar, blacker-than-black path – akin to jumping off a cliff and falling forever. This is such an authoritative wine that drives with ripe mulberry, blackberry, violet pastille, liquorice, mulberry compote, mocha, black olive, alpine herbs, and layers of iron-borne minerals. The tannins spread across the palate and play a vital part to the wine’s overall balance. Essentially, they stand up to the saturated fruit and ripeness. The length is astonishing and tapers off into the abyss with a hint of orange zest. Profoundly good winemaking and comfortably sits alongside Australia’s elite. This is destined for a very long life. I wouldn’t be surprised if this is drinking like a distant dream in 2075… Decanted for 24-hours (poured back into the bottle – cork left out) Served using Zalto Burgundy glassware. Astonishing." £365.00 per case (6x75cl - In Bond) Interesting titbits: The Standish Shiraz was the first cuvée launched by Dan Standish in 1999. An organically farmed vineyard. The easterly aspect of soils are the key to this extraordinary wine. Classic; ferrous, poised and supremely structed. "The flavours run long and deep – saturating and epic in every sense. Utterly captivating (give it the time it deserves) and puts many (more expensive) Aussie wines to shame."  2023 Standish 'The Relic' Stuart McCloskey, tasted April 2025 "This wine communicates another journey into the abyss. Even darker, deeper, more brooding than The Standish. The bouquet is reticent yet addictive. A chasm of iron ore, an underwater forest of sea kelp, sea salt, marine, iodine-like, the blackest liquorice imaginable, violet and bergamot. Dark fruits emerge from my glass, but at a glacial pace – Everything is shrouded in a blanket of warm earth and dusty spice. The palate is equally entrancing – it is so rare to sample such a commanding wine which delivers a sense of equilibrium (a skill that most winemakers can only dream of). The flavours run long and deep – saturating and epic in every sense. Minty! The palate feel is silky and slippery. Tannins and acidity are measured to perfection. An excellent iteration of this great wine, and with a magnificent life ahead of it. Perhaps the most commanding to date and will be around after I have popped my clogs (50-60+ years). That said, let’s revisit in a decade or so and reassess both our futures… Can I drink this now? Sure, but decant for at least 24-hours. Utterly captivating (give it the time it deserves) and puts many (more expensive) Aussie wines to shame. Decanted for 24-hours (poured back into the bottle – cork left out) Served using Zalto Burgundy glassware." £365.00 per case (6x75cl - In Bond) Interesting titbits: The vineyard is owned by Torbreck’s General Manager & Chief Winemaker Ian Hongell’s father, John and his younger brother, Trev. For those who don’t know – Dan previously worked at Torbreck under Dave Powell. Dan asked the Hongell family to plant a single row of Viognier alongside the Shiraz. Handpicked together and co-fermented, Dan says, ‘it not only adds heady aromatics to the mix, but also softens the otherwise firm tannins.’ Explore the 2023 Standish Collection This special pre-arrival offer ends |
