2022 Kay Brothers Amery Block 6 Shiraz, McLaren Vale

The 2022 Block 6 Shiraz is from an old Shiraz vineyard in front of the historic cellars, and the tough old vines remain healthy and productive after nearly 130 years in the ground. Aromatically, the wine is brooding and darkly accented, with damson plum, dark chocolate, leather, star anise, red apple and cassis. There are notions of hung deli meat, too. In the mouth, the tannins grip ahold of the fruit and show a depth of intensity that lingers long after the flavors. This is a beautiful wine, from a very good, structural year, and while the oak is a feature currently, the density and weight of the fruit will consume it—and that's not going to take very long at all. This is a wonderful wine here. Drink 2025 to 2042.

96 points Erin Larkin for The Wine Advocate, September 2025

Block 6 is about a hectare and a half across complex soil/geology. There’s a section of red loam, heavy clay in the middle and alluvial soils on the lowest part, with all sitting over layers of glauconite, limestone, sandstone and siltstone. The '22 vintage was the 130th anniversary for the vines. This has crept up half a degree of alcohol from last year, and the year prior, too. That’s presumably a vintage thing, as winemaker Duncan Kennedy’s mission to deliver detailed and refined wines clearly continues. Those snaking, knotted old vines deliver suitable gravitas across deep red and dark fruits, black olive, soused black cherries, Earl Grey tea, panforte and ground aniseed. The tannins are agreeably fine, mineral feeling, the fruit powerful but buoyantly aloft, never heavy. There’s a traditional feel to this, but the filter is modern and the lens macro-focused. Excellent. Drink 2025 to 2038.

96 points Marcus Ellis, for Halliday Wine Companion, June 2025

Bold yet sophisticated aromas of blackberry compote, blackcurrants, violets and cedar as well as cured meat, mulberries, blueberry bush and cocoa beans. The palate is seamless with a full-bodied mouthfeel, finely integrated tannins and bright acidity. There is such a lovely freshness and energy to this wine and a generous yet integrated amount of oak with a floral-toned finish. Made from 130-year-old vines. Drink or hold.

96 points James Suckling, March 2025

Kay Brothers has been tending the Amery vineyard since 1890, making it the oldest McLaren Vale winery still in founding family hands. The estate spans five distinct soil types across its 54 acres, and winemaking here remains deliberately traditional with open fermenters, hand plunging and a 1928 basket press that has been central to every vintage since it was installed.

Block 6 is the heart of the Amery — a little over a hectare and a half of Shiraz vines planted by Bert and Fred Kay in 1892, sitting directly in front of the historic cellars. The block's complex geology runs through red loam at the top, heavy clay through the middle and alluvial soils at the base, all over layers of glauconite, limestone, sandstone and siltstone. Nearly 130 years in the ground, these knotted old vines remain healthy and productive, yielding fruit of remarkable concentration and character. The 2022 vintage marked the 130th anniversary of the block's establishment.

Fruit is open fermented, basket pressed and matured for up to two and a half years in a combination of American, French and Eastern European oak, a patient regime that suits the density and structure of this wine.

The 2022 is brooding and deeply expressive. Damson plum, dark cherry, cassis and dark chocolate on the nose, with black olive, aniseed, leather and a thread of Earl Grey tea adding complexity and gravitas. The palate is powerful and full-bodied, with mineral, fine-grained tannins that carry the fruit aloft rather than weighing it down, and a finish of exceptional length. The oak is present but the fruit has the density and weight to absorb it fully.

Three publications have awarded this 96 points: the Wine Advocate, Halliday Wine Companion and James Suckling — a rare alignment that speaks volumes.

Cellaring is strongly recommended. At its best from 2027 onwards and drinking well to 2042. When the moment comes, give it generous amounts of air before enjoying with a prime rib roast or slow-braised lamb shoulder.

This wine is vegan friendly.