2023 Kay Brothers Basket Pressed Shiraz, McLaren Vale

Dark cherry, blackberry and plum with violets, dried herbs, dark chocolate and pepper. There’s good depth of fruit, with firm tannins and fresh acidity giving structure and length. A blend of 95% shiraz and 5% grenache. Drink or hold.

93 points Ryan Montgomery for James Suckling, September 2026

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 22 hectares of vines 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.

The Basket Pressed Shiraz is a rich, robust and authentic McLaren Vale red made from estate-grown fruit, predominantly sourced from low-yielding, dry-grown vines that have a predominantly eastern exposure with soils varying from sandy loam at the the top of the hill to heavier loam and clay on the lower slopes. 

Fermentation takes place in open-top fermenters, with regular hand plunging to encourage flavour and colour development. 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. 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.

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.