Kay Brothers Block 6 Shiraz 2018
Overview
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Deep ruby color. Perfumed bouquet of potpourri, red fruits, charcuterie, and a hint of cedar. On the palate, layers of concentrated dark berry fruit, cacao, and black olive. Followed by slowly-building, fine-grained graphite tannins of immense length. Rich and concentrated, with power and finesse. |
Wine Facts
Winemaker Notes
Block 6 vineyard faces east & rows run north to south with significant undulation. Vines are spur & cane pruned with the canes wrapped onto the top wire of the low- lying trellis. The 3.5 acres comprises a corner of red loam, heavy clay in the middle of the block & alluvial soils on the lower side. The underlying “South Maslin Sands” geology is extremely complex containing layers of various stone. The 2018 vintage began with good winter and early spring rainfall. In late spring, the weather began to warm up and flowering conditions were moderate, but later than most years. The summer was extremely dry and veraison was late, but came on quickly. However, mild temperatures and ideal conditions made for steady ripening and flavor development. Block 6 was hand- picked from the 126-year-old vines on the 16th of March, 2018. The grapes were crushed, destemmed and plunged twice daily while spending 11 days on skins in our traditional open fermenters. The wine was then basket-pressed and matured for 21 months in 40% new French and American oak puncheons.
Serving Hints
Decanting is recommended. This wine is ideally served at with hearty meat and game dishes.
Interesting fact
Block 6 Shiraz 2018 is the 35th release of this unique, single-vineyard wine, celebrating 126 years of establishment with this vintage. The original Shiraz vines were planted by Herbert and Fredrick Kay in 1892. It has become the winery’s signature wine.
Block 6 vineyard faces east & rows run north to south with significant undulation. Vines are spur & cane pruned with the canes wrapped onto the top wire of the low- lying trellis. The 3.5 acres comprises a corner of red loam, heavy clay in the middle of the block & alluvial soils on the lower side. The underlying “South Maslin Sands” geology is extremely complex containing layers of various stone. The 2018 vintage began with good winter and early spring rainfall. In late spring, the weather began to warm up and flowering conditions were moderate, but later than most years. The summer was extremely dry and veraison was late, but came on quickly. However, mild temperatures and ideal conditions made for steady ripening and flavor development. Block 6 was hand- picked from the 126-year-old vines on the 16th of March, 2018. The grapes were crushed, destemmed and plunged twice daily while spending 11 days on skins in our traditional open fermenters. The wine was then basket-pressed and matured for 21 months in 40% new French and American oak puncheons.
Serving Hints
Decanting is recommended. This wine is ideally served at with hearty meat and game dishes.
Interesting fact
Block 6 Shiraz 2018 is the 35th release of this unique, single-vineyard wine, celebrating 126 years of establishment with this vintage. The original Shiraz vines were planted by Herbert and Fredrick Kay in 1892. It has become the winery’s signature wine.
Producer: Kay Brothers
Region: McLaren Vale
Country: Australia
Wine Composition: 100% Shiraz
Alcohol: 14.5%
Total Acidity: 7.4 G/L
pH: 3.6
Region: McLaren Vale
Country: Australia
Wine Composition: 100% Shiraz
Alcohol: 14.5%
Total Acidity: 7.4 G/L
pH: 3.6
Press Highlights
2018: 97 Pts - Wine Advocate, Aug 20212018: 96 Pts - James Halliday –The Australian Wine Companion, Aug 2021
2018: 91 Pts - Wine Enthusiast, Apr 2022
2017: 97 Pts - James Halliday –The Australian Wine Companion, Aug 2020
2017: 95 Pts - Decanter, 2020
2017: 94 Pts - James Suckling, 2020
2017: 94-96 Pts - Wine Advocate, 2018
2017: 93 Pts - Wine & Spirits, 2020
2017: 92 Pts - Wine Enthusiast, 2020
2017: 90 Pts - Wine Spectator, 2020
2016: 97 Pts - James Halliday –The Australian Wine Companion, 2019
2016: 96 Pts - Wine Advocate, 2018
2016: 92 Pts - Wine & Spirits, 2020
2015: 96 Pts - James Halliday –The Australian Wine Companion, 2019
2015: 96 Pts - Wine Advocate, 2018
2015: 92 Pts ‘Cellar Selection’ - Wine Enthusiast, Dec. 2018
2015: 92 Pts - Wine & Spirits, 2017
2014: 93 Pts - Wine & Spirits, Feb. 2017
2014: 91 Pts ‘Cellar Selection’ - Wine Enthusiast, Apr. 2017