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.

98+ points for www.robertparker.com

The Relic is absolutely singing this year. Shiraz from an east-facing vineyard in Krondorf, with the addition of 2% viognier in '22. It sports an insanely concentrated hue in the glass, with pure fruit aromas of plum compote, blueberry and black berry fruits. Layer upon layer of spice along with violets, jasmine, pippy raspberry nuance, dried citrus rind, roasting meats and turned earth. For all the wine's fruit density and intensity, it's got cut and a vivid minerality of line, sliding across the palate with impressive energy and verve, its tannins compact, akin to compressed quartz and graphite, and the finish is long, pure and true. Pitch-perfect architecture this year, with Dan's trademark balance and harmony writ large.

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