advocate rating

RATING SYSTEM
Robert Parkers rating system employs a 50 - 100 point quality scale. It is my belief that the various twenty (20) point rating systems do not provide enough flexibility and often result in a compressed and inflated wine ratings. THE WINE ADVOCATE takes a hard, very critical look at wine, since I would prefer to underestimate the wine's quality than overestimate it. The numerical ratings are utilized only to enhance and complement the thorough tasting notes, which are my primary means of communicating my judgments to you.

96 - 100 ~~~~~~	An extraordinary wine of profound and complex character displaying all the attributes expected of a classic wine of it's variety. Wines of this caliber are worth a special effort to find, purchase and consume.
90 - 95	An outstanding wine of exceptional complexity and character. In short, these are terrific wines.
80 - 89	A barely above average to very good wine displaying various degrees of finesse and flavour as well as character with no noticeable flaws.
70 - 79	An average wine with little distinction except that it is soundly made. In essence, a straightforward, innocuous wine.
60 - 69	A below average wine containing noticeable deficiencies, such as excessive acidity and/or tannin, an absence of flavour, or possibly dirty aromas or flavours.
50 - 59	A wine deemed to be unacceptable.

ISSUE 167 - THE WINE ADVOCATE
TASTING NOTES AND RATINGS

KAY BROTHERS 2005 CABERNET SAUVIGNON AMERY     McLAREN VALE   (US$20.00)             RED     (91)

KAY BROTHERS 2004 CABERNET SAUVIGNON AMERY     McLAREN VALE   (US$20.00)             RED     (89)

KAY BROTHERS 2005 SHIRAZ AMERY                 McLAREN VALE   (US$20.00)             RED     (90)

KAY BROTHERS 2004 SHIRAZ AMERY                 McLAREN VALE   (US$20.00)             RED     (90+)

KAY BROTHERS 2005 SHIRAZ BLOCK 6               McLAREN VALE   (US$90.00)             RED     (96-99)

KAY BROTHERS 2004 SHIRAZ BLOCK 6               McLAREN VALE   (US$90.00)             RED     (98)

KAY BROTHERS 2004 SHIRAZ HILLSIDE              McLAREN VALE   (US$45.00)             RED     (93)

Owner Colin Kay is the third generation to keep this classic winery and benchmark McLaren Vale producer in the limelight of South Australia. While everyone flocks to get a bottle or two of the Shiraz produced from Kay Brothers' ancient vineyard called Block 6 (planted In 1882!), this is also a terrific source for value priced Cabernet Sauvignon and Shiraz.
For example, the 2004 Cabernet Sauvignon Amery (made from 10 year old vines and aged, in both American barrels and hogsheads) exhibits beautifully sweet, slightly herbaceous black currant fruit intermixed with notes of damp earth and truffles. Medium to full-bodied with supple tannin as well as a lovely mouthfeel, it should drink well for 7-10 years.
Even better, the 2005 Cabernet Sauvignon Amery reveals sweeter fruit as well as additional notes of chocolate, cedar, black currants, and spice box. This dense, rich, high class Cabernet Sauvignon is a sensational steal that should evolve for a decade or more.
Produced from 34 year old vines, the dense ruby/purple-tinged 2004 Shiraz Amery offers up dusty, loamy earth, black fruit, spicy oak, and roasted meat and herb like aromas. This beautiful, value priced Shiraz should evolve for a decade.
The 2005 Shiraz Amery is not as nuanced, evolved, or complex as its older sibling, but exhibits copious quantities of blackberry and black cherry fruit along with truffle asphalt, and roasted meat characteristics in the background. It too, should evolve for 8-10 years.
From 6 to 34 year old vines, the 2004 Shiraz Hillside spent 28 months in American oak, 50% new and 50% used. A blockbuster effort, it reveals deep, chocolaty, meaty notes intermixed with blackberries, cherries, and cassis. Inky/ruby/purple colored, with a large mouthfeel, full body, and well integrated acidity, tannin, and alcohol, this is a superb McLaren Vale Shiraz to enjoy over the next 12-15 years.
There are 1,400 cases of the flagship cuve'e the Block 6 Shiraz which is aged 28 months in 60% new American oak and 40% new Hungarian oak. Typically, it possesses between 15-16% alcohol and is always a candidate for twenty or more years of cellaring. The 2004 Shiraz Block 6 is the finest example of this cuve'e since the 1998. It is an awesomely concentrated Shiraz with an inky/plum/garnet/purple color and a sweet nose of roasted meats, dried herbs, ground pepper, blackberries, and cassis. This intense, full bodied effort boasts a profound depth and richness as Well as layer upon layer of awesome concentration and length. While approachable it should hit its peak in 5-6 years, and last for two decades or more.
Remarkably, a barrel sample of the 2005 Shiraz Block 6 performed even better. It may be the best Block 6 Shiraz I have ever tasted. With drop dead purity, richness, intensity, presence, and personality, it should drink well for 20-25 years. I can hardly wait for its release next year. Importer Dan Philips, The Grateful Palate, Oxnard, CA; tel. (888) 472-5283