TWO HANDS WINES
Greenock, Barossa, South Australia

Two Hands' clear objective is to make the best Shiraz based wines from the best Shiraz producing regions of Australia. It would appear from the results and reviews so far that they are well on their way to achieving their goal.

Two Hands was established in 2000 by Michael Twelftree and Richard Mintz. While the first vintage was made by the experienced Barossa hand Rolf Binder, Matt Wenk, ex second in command at Nepenthe has been appointed as full time winemaker.

The wines are made at Two Hands' winery in Greenock in Barossa but fruit is sourced from several areas including McLaren Vale, Padthaway, Heathcote and Barossa.

The wines have been described by Jancis Robinson as "exceptional…densely charming, gently oaked style". Fragrant, textured, supple and juicily ripe the wines are of fantastic quality.“

With the pick of the best barrels, exceptional fruit and gentle, stylish wine-making this is a tremendously exciting range of wines. Labelling is original, classy and compelling.

Two Hands' upper tier of wines, the Garden Series, is a fantastic demonstration of different regional Shiraz styles: Lily's Garden (McLaren Vale) - rich voluptuous palate with concentrated plum and dark berry fruit; Sophie's Garden (Padthaway) - comes alive on the palate with voluptuous dark purple to black fruits that just keep going; Bella's Garden (Barossa) - thick swathes of rich blackberry fruit with subtle hints of cedary oak and dark chocolate is luscious, intense and ripe. Max's Garden (Heathcote) - bright, elegant red fleshy fruit with subtle hints of cedary spice. Harry & Edward's (Langhorne Creek) - plums, wild berries and cream that lingers with ripe fine tannins.

Angel's Share, the least expensive, is Barossa Shiraz, - glossy, dark cherry fruit and a juicy mulberry fleshiness, fresh acidity and fine spun tannins. Brave Faces is 60% Shiraz, 40% Grenache, from Barossa, lighter and brighter, succulent damson and refreshing strawberry, cranberry like flavours. Bad Impersonator (complete with Groucho Marx label) is 100% Lights Pass, Barossa Shiraz, unusually aromatic and Rhone-ish with superb concentration.

Even though Two Hands are establishing a reputable status for their Shiraz, they are also producing a few whites are great interest. ‘The Wolf’ Clare Valley Riesling – grown from the Watervale region - possesses a wonderful balance of crisp mouth-watering acidity and succulent citrus fruit. Long, and very concentrated with a superbly pure finish. ‘For Love or Money’ Cane Cut Semillon is a dessert wine Made from Semillon grapes that have their canes cut when the flavour is ripe and are then left to slowly dehydrate on the vine. The result is a powerful, seductive dessert wine of great pleasure.

Widely tipped as the Next Big Thing this is without doubt a winery to watch.

Click here to view Two Hands Wines available to purchase