Kay Brothers Basket Pressed Shiraz 2020
Overview
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Deep ruby in color. The nose offers spicy notes of pepper, aniseed and marzipan alongside dark fruit and a touch of flint. Red and purple fruits lead the way on the palate, followed by black olive, mocha and a touch of licorice. The finish supports with fine-grained, chalky tannins. |
Wine Facts
Winemaking
The growing season for vintage 2020 began with good winter rainfall, followed by a dry but cool spring. Unfortunately, fruit set was poor which kept crop levels below average. After a hot December the rest of the summer was cool, and the first 2 days of February received some lovely rain from the North with 31mm recorded in the gauge at Amery. The rain helped fill the dry soil profile and flesh out berries, lifting fruit flavors and enhancing wine quality. Weather conditions for the final ripening period were cool and dry, perfect for flavor development.
The vineyard has a predominately eastern exposure. Soil varies from sandy loam at the top of the hill to heavier loam and clay as it descends down the hill towards the creek. The dry climate forces the vine roots, ranging from 15–25 years of age, to delve into the complex underlying Geology consisting of quartz and ironstone gravels, weathered and calcareous sandstone, siltstone and limestone.
Fruit was harvested from the 14th to the 23rd of March. It was immediately crushed, destemmed and hand plunged, utilizing open top fermentation. Following 9 -13 days on skins, traditional basket pressing in our 1928 basket press was employed. The wine then matured in a combination of American, French and Eastern European oak barrels for 9 months.
The growing season for vintage 2020 began with good winter rainfall, followed by a dry but cool spring. Unfortunately, fruit set was poor which kept crop levels below average. After a hot December the rest of the summer was cool, and the first 2 days of February received some lovely rain from the North with 31mm recorded in the gauge at Amery. The rain helped fill the dry soil profile and flesh out berries, lifting fruit flavors and enhancing wine quality. Weather conditions for the final ripening period were cool and dry, perfect for flavor development.
The vineyard has a predominately eastern exposure. Soil varies from sandy loam at the top of the hill to heavier loam and clay as it descends down the hill towards the creek. The dry climate forces the vine roots, ranging from 15–25 years of age, to delve into the complex underlying Geology consisting of quartz and ironstone gravels, weathered and calcareous sandstone, siltstone and limestone.
Fruit was harvested from the 14th to the 23rd of March. It was immediately crushed, destemmed and hand plunged, utilizing open top fermentation. Following 9 -13 days on skins, traditional basket pressing in our 1928 basket press was employed. The wine then matured in a combination of American, French and Eastern European oak barrels for 9 months.
Producer: Kay Brothers
Region: McLaren Vale
Country: Australia
Wine Composition: 95% Shiraz, 5% Grenache
Alcohol: 14%
Region: McLaren Vale
Country: Australia
Wine Composition: 95% Shiraz, 5% Grenache
Alcohol: 14%
Press Highlights
2020: 92 Pts - Wine Advocate, Sept 2022
2020: 90 Pts - James Suckling, Aug 2022
2020: 90 Pts - Wine Enthusiast, Dec 2023
2019: 92 Pts - James Halliday –The Australian Wine Companion, Aug 2021
2019: 92 Pts - Wine Advocate, Aug 2021
2018: 92 Pts - Wine Advocate, Feb 2021
2016: 94 Pts - James Halliday –The Australian Wine Companion, 2019
2014: 94 Pts – James Halliday The Australian Wine Companion 2015, Aug 2016
2014: 93 Pts - Wine & Spirits, Feb. 2017
2014: 90 Pts - Wine Advocate #226, Aug 2016
2013: 94 Pts - James Halliday The Australian Wine Companion 2015, April/May 2015
2013: 91 Pts - Vinous, Mar 2016
2013: 90+ Pts - Wine Advocate #220, Aug 2015
2020: 90 Pts - James Suckling, Aug 2022
2020: 90 Pts - Wine Enthusiast, Dec 2023
2019: 92 Pts - James Halliday –The Australian Wine Companion, Aug 2021
2019: 92 Pts - Wine Advocate, Aug 2021
2018: 92 Pts - Wine Advocate, Feb 2021
2016: 94 Pts - James Halliday –The Australian Wine Companion, 2019
2014: 94 Pts – James Halliday The Australian Wine Companion 2015, Aug 2016
2014: 93 Pts - Wine & Spirits, Feb. 2017
2014: 90 Pts - Wine Advocate #226, Aug 2016
2013: 94 Pts - James Halliday The Australian Wine Companion 2015, April/May 2015
2013: 91 Pts - Vinous, Mar 2016
2013: 90+ Pts - Wine Advocate #220, Aug 2015