98 points - "The 2023 The Relic Shiraz-Viognier is texturally velvety and smooth; that may sound like a base observation to make, and perhaps it is, but the experience is overwhelmingly silky/ethereal this year. Apricot blossoms, sweet roasted bone marrow, hung deli meat, crushed rocks, licorice, anise and raspberry mingle in the glass, while the palate gives us these characters tenfold, bolstered and grounded by savory tannins. What more is there to say about this, other than that it is sensational? I find this to be an incredibly consistent wine year after year, with my scores rarely deviating too much from "excellent." This is among the very best Shiraz Viognier's in this country; it's a treasure. 14.9% alcohol, sealed under natural cork and wax." - Erin Larkin (The Wine Advocate)

97 points - "The Relic, 98.5/1.5% shiraz/viognier is sourced from the Hongell Family vineyard in Krondorf and immediately presents itself beautifully with dark and red plum, dark cherry and indeed, a stone fruit component that sits obliquely to the deeper fruit on display. A smaller percentage of whole bunch this year but an exotically spiced trail is still apparent in the wine, like fading footsteps in wet sand. There's a char siu meaty aspect in the mix, too, with dried meadow flowers and a real sense of place; the tannins are like powdered sand and there is a sapidness apparent in its cadence. There's only a handful of producers in the region that produce wines with this level of intricacy. It's like bonsai winemaking, capturing nature and all its harvest-borne detail with a sense of balance and proportion. Tremendous drinking." - Dave Brookes (Halliday Wine Companion)

96 points - "A pop and pour taste had me excited. Perfume, silky texture, glossiness, charm and drinkability. Fine tannin profile in a sheath of silky draw, white pepper, rosy floral lift, dried rose petal indeed, with touches of stone fruit in concentrated forest berry compote and tart, red plum character. Multi-dimensional in its feel with its extreme length, almost bouncy texture, grip of very fine, quality tannin and sense of refreshment to finish. A dusting of white pepper lingers. Concentration and compact nature. Class. 96 points." - Mike Bennie (The Wine Front)

94 points - "I like this straight off. Blue and purple fruit, pepper and spice, perfume, roast beef. It’s medium to full-bodied, spicy with sweet blue fruit, Turkish apricot, a fine polishing sandpaper sort of feel to tannin, a coolness to acidity, meaty, crisp and lightly sappy to close on a finish of good length. A lighter vintage, though a charming one that drinks well. 94 points" - Gary Walsh (The Wine Front)

Patience is not merely waiting for something to happen but the ability to maintain a positive attitude during that time.
Patience was fundamental to the 2023 harvest in the Barossa, with the grape picking extending well into May, almost a month later than average.

As grape growers we are farmers and as the saying goes, we always have “one eye on the sky”. Habitually hoping for more rain in our parched landscape, at this critical time of year prior to harvest however, rain is the antagonist.

The ripening phase saw a handful of pesky precipitation events each of which arrived with vexatious timing. To harvest or not to harvest? The repeated question, each time.

The Risk – pick too early and risk thin green under ripe grapes or too late and risk dilute flavours or to lose the entire crop at the hands of fungal diseases or split berries.

The Gain – an extra week or two of sunshine and photosynthesis to increase tannin and anthocyanin in the grape’s seeds and stalks. Ripe and complex grape flavours.

The Results (with Patience):
This gentle elongated ripening creating a special vintage giving us wines of great lusciousness and complexity. Crunchy forefront tannins from the grape skins in conjunction with mellow rounder toning, mouth filling tannin from riper grape seeds. Grip and drive from the lignified stalks alongside the invigorating natural acidity retained due to the cool season, all harmonising to give billowy flow and incredible intricacy.
Some of our most complex and captivating wines to date.

Patience; risky, perhaps – worthwhile, definitely!