“Best of the Best by Variety, Exceptional + 97 points”
“Block 6 is a 1.4ha east-facing block of 125yo vines with very complex soils. Hand-picked, crushed and destemmed, 11 days on skins, matured for 20 months in French and American puncheons (40% new). If ever there was an iron fist in a velvet glove this is it, but with one qualification: the iron fist was created by a master sculptor, the wine quite special, and fully deserving its price.”
James Halliday, Halliday Wine Companion 2021
“The 20 best wines of 2019″
“In 1892, brothers Fred and Herbert Kay took shiraz cuttings from neighbour Thomas Hardy’s vineyard in McLaren Vale and planted their own. Now, 125 years later, those same vines squeezed out 11 tonnes of intensely flavoured shiraz grapes to produce this magnificent, cellar-worthy wine. Best enjoyed now by splashing it into a decanter, leaving it for a couple of hours and then drinking from big-bowled glasses: lots of dark mulberry and sweet compost and a dusty tang to the tannins.”
Max Allen, The Financial Review, 27 November 2019
“96 points”
“This is the 125th anniversary of Kay Brothers wine and the 34th vintage of this single vineyard wine. What a wonderful estate. Pretty perfume here. Red berry-cherry fruits, slight medicinal lift, touch of eucalyptus. The palate is silky yet dense, hemmed with spicy-chalky tannins, drawn long, very fine, fresh-feeling and kind of cool despite all that potent fruit rolling in. Tannins, superb; lots of tension here in best way. Quiet power, then has a prettiness and almost light finish, so very appealing in the scheme of things. Fantastic.”
Mike Bennie, The Wine Front, 14 January 2020
“96 points”
“A brilliant Block 6 that encapsulates the grand complexity of this legendary site in high fidelity in the cool 2017 season. It has all the density and presence that we love of Block 6, with a brightness, a detail and a purity that set this vintage apart as one of the very greatest in its grand history.”
Tyson Stelzer, WBM, January/February 2020
“95+ points”
“Pleasing symmetry between price and vine age. This 2017 is made from 125 year old vines. 746 dozen is the total production. I’d have Block 6 in my list of the greatest Australian Shiraz. I’ll offer that 2017 was a curious vintage for McLaren Vale reds, they’re a bit different, but high quality all the same. It’s just above medium bodied, but feels dense and compact in tannin. Blackberry, aniseed, subtle toasty oak, sage and floral perfume. It has what you might call a ‘coolness’ to it, distinct umami flavour also laden with spice. That usual ironstone and crushed rock sort of character you may find in Block 6 is there too. Finish is long, and the tannin brings it home. Wonderful character and vinous integrity. It’s a little different, yet typical.”
Gary Walsh, The Wine Front, October 2019
“95 points”
“The wettest season since 1992, with a mild summer, warm days and cold nights in the lead up to harvest on 21 and 30 March has produced exceptional fluidity, freshness and definition of blackberry and bramble fruit. Lifted spice, violets and fine tannins rise on a persistent, beautifully balanced finish. Much to come. Matured 20 months in new French and American oak puncheons. Drinking Window 2020 – 2035.”
Sarah Ahmed, Decanter Magazine, February 2020
“94 points”
“This has a wealth of intense, dark-berry and plum aromas with hints of violets, licorice and earth, as well as fresh blueberries. The palate has such impressively deep flavors, delivered in a fresh, smooth mode. Long, blackberry and plum flavors carry deep. Impressive depth and balance here. Drink or hold. Screw cap.”
James Suckling.com, May 2020
“Unforgettable”
“An Australian legend that does not disappoint, with an almost impenetrable colour and the highest level of power and complexity, all perfectly balanced in an old-fashioned style. Tar, licorice, boysenberry, pepper and crushed rock fruit are topped with a healthy dose of new oak. It’s then dry, robust and tannic, with an almost meaty texture, and fruit that has both immense impact and subtlety. Unforgettable.”
Angus Hughson, The Australian, Wish Luxury Lifestyle Magazine, February 2020
