2008 Kay Brothers Amery Vineyards Block 6 Shiraz 750ml

Minor Label Stain/s, Minor Capsule Damage

Overview

Block 6 Shiraz is the flagship wine of Kay Brothers Amery Vineyards, produced from one of McLaren Vale's historic Shiraz plantings. The 2008 combines the power and savoury depth associated with the site with remarkable structure and longevity.

Vineyard

Block 6 is a 1.5-hectare east-facing vineyard with north-south rows and significant undulation. Its soils vary from red loam and heavy clay to gravelly alluvial material, underlain by complex South Maslin Sands geology containing layers of glauconite, limestone, sandstone and siltstone. The historic Shiraz vines were planted in 1892.

Winemaking

The fruit was handpicked and fermented in the winery's original open-top fermenters. James Halliday's review also records the use of the estate's historic basket press. The wine was matured in oak.

Critic Reviews

96 Points – James Halliday, Australian Wine Companion
“Good hue and clarity; the full monty, the vines planted in 1892, the open fermentation vats made in 1897, and an old basket press used… a really attractive medium-bodied shiraz with great texture and structure.”
Tasted 11 November 2010

94+ Points – Lisa Perrotti-Brown, Robert Parker's The Wine Advocate
“Very crisp, full and rich with good structure, medium-firm fine-grained tannins and a long finish.”

94/100 – The Wine Front

17/20 – Vinum Wine Magazine
Tasted March 2014

Producer

Established in 1890 by brothers Herbert and Frederick Kay, Kay Brothers Amery Vineyards and Winery is the oldest McLaren Vale winery still owned by its founding family. Shiraz has been central to the estate since its earliest plantings, and the winery continues to use its traditional gravity-fed facility and historic basket press, installed in 1928.

Specifications

• Vintage: 2008
• Producer: Kay Brothers Amery Vineyards and Winery
• Wine: Block 6 Shiraz
• Grape Variety: 100% Shiraz
• Region: McLaren Vale, South Australia, Australia
• Vineyard: Block 6
• Vine Planting: 1892
• Harvest: Handpicked
• Fermentation: Original Open-Top Fermenters
• Pressing: Basket Pressed
• Maturation: Oaked
• Alcohol: 14.5%
• Sweetness: Dry
• Drinking Window: 2011–2038