Kay Brothers Basket Pressed Shiraz McLaren Vale 2018

Kay Brothers Basket Pressed Shiraz is all estate-grown fruit. It contains 2% Mataro in the blend. It is what McLaren Vale is all about: Full-bodied, fruit-driven, with great depth and density. It is full of lovely dark fruits, hints of oak, olives, leather, spice. It is a bit floral too. The palate is full, richly flavoured. The tannins are fine but present and there is nice acidity to keep it fresh. Drink this lovely Kay Brothers Shiraz from now until 15 or 20 years from vintage. The wine will need some air to get full enjoyment now. In 1890 the two Kay brothers bought the Amery property. The Kay family still own this property. In the years gone, the property has expanded and built a reputation for high-quality wines. I visited the cellar door many years ago and it is such a beautiful scene. The whole range is amazing too. But I am a particular fan of their Shiraz production. McLaren Vale The maritime climate and sandy soils of McLaren Vale make it a great place for growing grapes. Reds in particular excel here. Shiraz of course, but the Spanish varieties Grenache and Tempranillo seem well suited too. The maritime climate helps mitigate some of the heat from the SA summers and the sandy soils mean that phylloxera could not survive and so they have some of the oldest vines in the world. Shiraz/Syrah A bit of a chameleon, Shiraz can change how it looks depending on the terroir and/or winemaker influence. The Syrah-based wines of Northern Rhone are dry and austere while the Shiraz of Barossa is rich and fleshy. A variety that lends itself to long aging but can be drunk at any time of its evolution.