The nose is deeply perfumed and lifted, with complex aromas of wild blackberries, boysenberries, licorice and violets. The palate is full-bodied with seamless tannins and fine acidity, giving notes of mulberries, cassia bark, blueberry bush, cured meat and iodine. Exceptionally well balanced and pure, with a balance of power and freshness. Co-fermented with 2% viognier from vines planted in 1912.

98+ poimts. The 2022 The Relic Shiraz-Viognier contains 2% Viognier skins, and this addition presents in this vintage as a core of raspberry and pomegranate. It is pure fruited and powerfully aromatic, as this cuvee always is. Interestingly, I am tasting this wine from two different glasses: one opened two days ago, one opened this morning. They are quite different, telling us once again that oxygen really is a friend to this producer, especially if choosing to drink these wines young. While the bottle opened two days ago is complete, balanced and utterly refined, it speaks more of its florals and fruit than it does its savory register of spice and complexity. However, the wine opened today has nuances of bacon fat and exotic spice. It is tightly coiled and springy and nowhere near as giving as the former. So, choose your own path. This vintage is a prettier, finer but no less long or coiled version of itself, and it will prove to be one of the greats in the cellar. The tannins certainly are a highlight for me. Built for age but also, in the framework of this beautiful season, absolutely available to you right now. An effortless beauty, here. 14.9% alcohol, sealed under natural cork. (EL)

This stylish 2022 single-vineyard blend of Shiraz, with a touch of Viognier, is effortless as it opens up beautifully with aromas of dried meats, earthy spices and dark earth over a composed blueberry core. It is refined with punchy acidity and structural tannins well entrenched in a muscular and lengthy palate, with a twist of Maraschino cherry to finish. The 2022 has excellent composure with time on its side. (AH)