Standish Lamella Shiraz 2021

The Lamella stands apart through its use of 100% whole bunch fermentation and late-picked grapes from the prestigious Angas Family vineyard, which was originally planted with cuttings from the legendary Henschke estate. Dan Standish's meticulous approach involves discarding up to 80% of potential fruit, ensuring only the finest material makes it into the final blend. This combination of exceptional vineyard heritage and uncompromising selection creates a wine that balances profound opulence with perfumed elegance.

The Lamella has earned exceptional scores including 98+ points from Robert Parker and 97 points from James Halliday because it represents the pinnacle of Australian Shiraz craftsmanship. The wine demonstrates how Eden Valley's cool climate and ancient soils can produce Shiraz with both power and finesse - a rare combination that critics recognise as world-class. The whole bunch fermentation technique adds structural complexity and aromatic lift that distinguishes it from conventional winemaking approaches.

Given its full-bodied structure and the description noting 'a long future ahead', the 2021 Lamella is built for extended cellaring of 15-20 years or more. The whole bunch fermentation contributes tannins that will integrate beautifully over time, while the Eden Valley's natural acidity provides the backbone for graceful ageing. You can enjoy it now for its youthful exuberance, but patience will be rewarded as the wine develops greater complexity and the bay leaf, berry, and black cherry flavours evolve into more nuanced tertiary characteristics.

The Lamella's rich, full-bodied profile and distinctive bay leaf, berry, and black cherry flavours make it ideal for robust dishes like slow-cooked lamb with herbs, aged beef steaks, or game meats like venison. The whole bunch fermentation adds a subtle spiciness that complements dishes with warming spices or Mediterranean herbs. Its Eden Valley elegance also allows it to pair beautifully with mature hard cheeses or charcuterie, where the wine's perfumed qualities can shine alongside complex flavours.

Whole bunch fermentation, where entire grape clusters including stems are fermented together, adds structural complexity and aromatic lift that sets the Lamella apart from destemmed wines. This technique contributes subtle spice notes, enhanced tannin structure, and a distinctive perfumed quality that complements the wine's natural fruit intensity. In Eden Valley's cool climate, whole bunches ferment more gently, allowing Dan Standish to achieve the wine's signature balance between power and elegance while adding layers of complexity that will unfold over decades of cellaring.