A vineyard of great historical import, Hillside was initially planted in 1892 with stock acquired from sites owned by the Thomas Hardy Wine Company. A redevelopment of the eastern slope at Hillside commenced on the centenary, transferring cuttings across from the hundred year old Kay Brothers Block 6. Hillside Shiraz is about as old fashioned in the Australian claret style of wine as you can get, crafted from intensely flavoured berries, hand picked off seminal vines, treated to a traditional, open fermentation and manual basket press.
The Kay Brothers McLaren Vale Amery Vineyards grace the rolling foothills of southern Mt.Lofty Ranges. Established in 1890 by Herbert and Frederick Kay, the heritage listed Kays Amery wineworks celebrated their first crush in 1895 and are the oldest McLaren Vale winery still in founding family hands. The view from the homestead, over the sprawling vineyards towards Tintara is breathtaking, the valley and hillsides are literally covered in vines. Grapes are picked throughout the cool of early morning, vinified in open fermenters and treated to a still functional, antique basket press. The finished wine is matured twenty months in a selection of seasoned and new, large format American and European oak.
Deep inky purple colour. Initially the nose is dominated by bright rich black mulberries, satsuma plum and dark chocolate. A swirl of the glass reveals cinnamon, charred sage and roast prunes, white pepper and a trace of mint. Rich, juicy, generous flavours of blackberries and mocha, bacon and a hint of eucalypt. The finish is soft yet supple and the aftertaste just goes on and on. Decanting is essential.
