With the release of the 2022 Halliday Wine Companion, Kay Brothers Winery has been recognised as one of the top rating wineries in Australia, having been a five red star winery for over 10 years, putting us amongst “…the best of the best.”

In the first edition of the Halliday Wine Companion to be headed up by James Halliday’s chosen successor Tyson Stelzer, we were looking forward to hearing from Tyson’s team of expert tasters, including Ned Goodwin MW, who reviewed most of our wines.

And we were not disappointed, Ned had some lovely words to say about our wines, as well as some excellent point scores, as below:

96 Points – 2018 Block 6 Shiraz
95 Points – 2019 Griffon’s Key Grenache
93 Points -2018 Hillside Shiraz
93 Points 2019 – Basket Pressed Grenache
92 Points 2019 – Basket Pressed Shiraz
92 Points – 2018 Ironmonger
91 Points – 2019 Nero d’Avola
90 Points – 2020 Grenache Rosé

Two of the highlights were from our signature, and iconic wines, the Block 6 Shiraz and the Griffon’s Key Grenache:

2018 Block 6 Shiraz 96 Points

“From 126yo vines and a traditional approach to vinification. Fine boned. Powerful, sure, but there is a stridency to the fruit rather than a stolidness. Maritime shiraz, at its best, has a cooler side to violet, bergamot, boysenberry, anise and clove scents. The pepper-clad acidity, vibrant and pulling the melee long. The oak, ample, but not exaggerated. Intense, compact, fragrant and ready for the long haul.” Ned Goodwin MW

2019 Griffon’s Key Grenache 95 Points

“From a favourable parcel in the Amery Vineyard. A fine example of how the best suitors of grenache in the Vale marry a chiaroscuro of weightlessness with a rich core of fruit intensity. A steer of sandy tannins, a riff of briar and a long pull by the region’s maritime freshness. Textbook. Poached strawberry, anise, kirsch, orange peel, cranberry, bergamot and myriad florals. But the tannins are what make me swoon.” Ned Goodwin MW