2022 Kay Brothers Amery Vineyard Basket Pressed Shiraz, McLaren Vale

Kay Brothers Amery Vineyard Basket Pressed Shiraz is a rich, robust and authentically McLaren Vale red that pays homage to time-honoured winemaking traditions and one of South Australia's oldest family-owned wineries. Established in 1890, Kay Brothers remains firmly rooted in the heart of McLaren Vale, with vines planted on the undulating slopes of the original Amery Vineyard. The Basket Pressed Shiraz stands as a flagship expression of the estate’s commitment to heritage, site and integrity.

This wine is made from estate-grown fruit, predominantly sourced from low-yielding, dry-grown vines on ancient red-brown earths and ironstone-rich soils. These conditions result in concentrated fruit with deep colour, ripe tannins and regional richness. True to the name, the wine is basket pressed—a gentle, traditional technique that allows for slow extraction and a softer, more nuanced tannin profile. It’s a labour-intensive process rarely used at scale today, but it remains central to Kay Brothers’ identity and winemaking philosophy.

Fermentation takes place in open-top fermenters, with regular hand plunging to encourage flavour and colour development. The wine is then matured for around 18 months in a mix of new and seasoned American and French oak hogsheads, imparting layers of spice, toast and texture while preserving the integrity of the fruit.

In the glass, it is deeply coloured and boldly expressive, offering aromas of blackberry, dark plum, liquorice and black pepper, along with notes of vanilla bean, mocha, tobacco and clove. The palate is full-bodied and powerful yet beautifully balanced, with velvety tannins and a core of plush dark fruit supported by toasty oak and earthy spice. It finishes long, warming and savoury, with impressive persistence.

This Shiraz is an ideal match for grilled ribeye, smoky barbecue, slow-braised beef cheeks or lamb shanks with rosemary and garlic. It also works wonderfully with rich, umami-packed vegetarian dishes like lentil stew or roasted eggplant with harissa.

The Basket Pressed Shiraz is consistently praised by critics for its intensity, balance and classic McLaren Vale character. It has the structure to cellar for well over a decade, during which time it will develop deeper savoury notes, softening its tannins and gaining even more depth and complexity.