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AWARDS AND REVIEWS

 


   

TWO HANDS
Greenock, Barossa, Australia

Awards

International Wine Challenge 2006

Bronze Medal
Two Hands Angels Share Barossa Shiraz 2004
Two Hands Bull & Bear 2004

International Wine Challenge 2005

Gold Medal
Two Hands Angels Share 2003

Silver Medal
Two Hands Brave Faces 2003

Bronze Medal
Two Hands Bull & Bear 2003

International Wine & Spirits Competition 2005

Silver
Two Hands Bad Impersonator Shiraz 2002
Two Hands Bella's Garden Shiraz 2002
Two Hands Samantha's Garden Shiraz 2002
Two Hands Lily's Garden Shiraz 2002

International Wine Challenge 2004
Gold Medal

Two Hands, Brave Faces 2002

Silver Medal

Two Hands, Bad Impersonator 2002

Bronze Medal

Two Hands, Angel's Share 2003

Highly Recommended

Two Hands, The Wolf Rielsing 2003

Reviews

Decanter
September 2006
By Anthony Rose

Guide To: South Australian Shiraz

‘Penfolds Grange proved what Australia’s premier wine state could do with Shiraz. Since then producers have been crafting their own unique regional styles.’

Two Hands, Lily’s Garden, McLaren Vale 2004                                   Decanter Award *****
‘Pure and focused with great varietal character: black fruit, savoury and white pepper. Lovely texture and weight with fine, structured tannins, elegant, fresh fruit and balanced new oak. Long, scented and very youthful. 5 years.’

Two Hands, Bella’s Garden 2004                                     Highly Recommended ****
‘Subdued nose, but hints of peppery blackberries and herbs. Concentrated, sweet, and dense palate. Power plus elegance. Fresh minty finish. 5-12 years.’

Two Hands, Gnarly Dudes, Barossa 2004                                                         Recommended ***
‘Deep, dark, ripe, solid fruit aromas. Ripe, rich and rounded fruit with admirable tannin extraction and well-judged oak. Classic. 2-5 years.’

Wine Spectator Insider
12th July 2006
By Harvey Steiman

Two Hands Shiraz Barossa Valley Ares 2004                                                  97 Points
‘Two Hands, which makes a stunning series of appellation-specific Shiraz wines, has been flirting with true greatness with previous vintages of this wine. The 2004 achieves it. Rich and generous with its silky tannins and expressive black cherry, blackberry, huckleberry and meaty spice notes flitting through the long, round, oak-scented finish. This has great vibrancy and detail, the finish lingering for days. Drink now through 2020.’

www.businessweek.com
Executive Life 
3 July 2006
By Robert Parker

Two Hands 2006 Moscato Brilliant Disguise (500ml)                                     91 points
‘With 6.5% alcohol, a slight spritziness, and a touch of residual sugar, it is the ideal frothy aperitif wine. Beautiful aromas of tropical fruits and honeysuckle emerge from this crisp, refreshing, light-bodied white. ‘

The Times Magazine
17 June 2006
By Jane MacQuitty

Top 100 Summer Wines
25 Best Wines Under £20:

2004 Two Hands Gnarly Dudes, Barossa Shiraz, Australia
‘New World wines sport some wacky names, and this impressive Australian shiraz is just such a bottle, named after the ancient shiraz vines it is made from: the “gnarly dudes” in the title. Although this 15 per cent alcohol whopper will not appeal to all, those with lazy summer barbecues in mind will lap up its delicious, sweet, burly blackberry fruit, before a snooze in a deckchair.’

The Herald - Weekend Living
11 March 2006
By Joe Fattorini

The Last Breath

Two Hands Lily's Garden Shiraz 2003
'Robust & forward, this tip top Aussie Shiraz can lay down a layer of spicy, currant fruit on the most kippered palate with apt notes of mocha, cinnamon and tobacco. Big but refined, A very impressive wine.'

Wine International
January/February 2006

Two Hands Brilliant Disguise Moscato Bianco 2005
'Watch out Italy here's an Australian version of your famous Moscato d'Asti that has all the vigour, freshness and fruit of the original version. This should prove a wow over the festive season for anyone seeking a light, fresh accompaniment to Christmas pud. Two Hands is owned and run by Michael Twelftree and Richard Mintz, and is best known for its excellent reds, especially the single vineyard Shirazes. However, this Moscato Bianco shows that the pair are just as capable of turning their hands to white wines. Exuberant, frothy, grapey and weighing in at just 6.5% alcohol, it's a delight to the senses.'

The Times Magazine
Top 100 Festive Wines
03 December 2005
By Jane MacQuitty

'Order in some Christmas cheer, with Jane MacQuitty's selection of the very best mid-price bottles.'

Week Two: 25 Bottles under £8

Sweet White
2005 Brilliant Disguise Moscato Bianco, Two Hands
'Two Hands were keen to make a lighter pudding wine from locally grown 80 to 100 year old Muscat grapes and decided to follow the Italians' lead by stopping the fermentation in stainless-steel tanks, leaving lots of residual grape sugar, and bottling the wine under pressure to retain some fizz, complete with just 6.5 per cent alcohol. The result is a delicious soft, sweet, grapey, fizzy dessert wine - ideal with sweet festive fare.'

Robert M. Parker
The Wine Advocate October 2005 #161

Winery Vintage Wine Region Score

Winery

Vintage

Wine

Region

Score

Two Hands Wines

2004

Cabernet Sauvignon Aphrodite

Barossa Valley

(95-98)

Two Hands Wines

2003

Cabernet Sauvignon Aphrodite

Barosa Valley

96+

Two Hands Wines

2004

Grenache Yesterday’s Hero

Barossa Valley

86

Two Hands Wines

2005

Moscato Brilliant Disguise

Barossa Valley

91

Two Hands Wines

2004

Semillon Cane Cut for Love or Money

Clare Valley

90

Two Hands Wines

2004

Shiraz Angels’ Share

McLaren Vale

95

Two Hands Wines

2003

Shiraz Ares

Barossa Valley

98

Two Hands Wines

2003

Shiraz Bad Impersonator

Barossa Valley

93

Two Hands Wines

2003

 Shiraz Bella’s Garden

Barossa Valley

95

Two Hands Wines

2003

Shiraz Gnarly Dudes

Barossa Valley

90

Two Hands Wines

2003

Shiraz Harry & Edward’s Garden

Langhorne Creek 92

92

Two Hands Wines

2003

Shiraz Lily’s Garden

McLaren Vale

95

Two Hands Wines

2003

Shiraz Max’s Garden

Heathcote

88

Two Hands Wines

2003

Shiraz Samantha’s Garden

Clare Valley

93

Two Hands Wines

2003

Shiraz Sophie’s Garden

Padthaway

89

Two Hands Wines

2003

Shiraz/Cabernet The Bull & Bear

Barossa Valley

91

Two Hands Wines

2004

Shiraz/Grenache Brave Faces

Barossa Valley

92

Two Hands Wines

2003

Shiraz The Lucky Country

Barossa Valley

90

For Parker's detailed Review see the end of this review section

2005 Wine Spectator Top 100

From a pool of more than 12,000 wines editors of the influential U.S magazine 'Wine Spectator' selected the year's most noteworthy wines for inclusion in the 2005 Top 100. For a third year in a row a Two Hands' wine has been selected; our Bella's Garden Barossa Valley Shiraz has been honoured for a second time, the 2003 vintage is ranked number 40.

Two Hands Shiraz Barossa Valley Bella's Garden 2003 94 points

The two hands behind the winery are Michael Twelftree and Richard Mintz, two Adelaide businessmen who began buying grapes from multiple vineyards in 2000 and have enjoyed success ever since. Bella's Garden is a blend of four different Barossa vineyards in 2003. For this vintage, winemaker Matt Wenk used less new oak overall and a higher proportion of French barrels.

Wine Spectator's Top 100

40 Two Hand Shiraz Barossa Valley Bella's Garden 2003 - 94 points

67 Thierry Germain Saumaur-Champigny Domaine des Roches Neuves 2004 - 91 points

73 Quinta de Ventelozo Douro Reserva 2000 - 90 Points

2006 Wine Companion
By James Halliday

Two Hands Wines
Lily's Garden Shiraz 2003 95 Points
Ares Barossa Valley Shiraz 2002 95 Points
Harry & Edward's Garden Langhorne Creek 2003 94 Points
Brave Faces Barossa Valley Shiraz Grenache 2003 94 Points
Bella's Garden Shiraz 2003 93 Points
Bad Impersonator Barossa Shiraz 2003 93 Points
Sophie's Garden Shiraz 2003 92 Points
Max's Garden Heathcote Shiraz 2003 91 Points
Angel's Share McLaren Vale Shiraz 2003 90 Points
The Wolf Clare Valley Riesling 2004 88 Points

Decanter
July 2005
By Richard Bampfield

Buying Guide to Australian Shiraz - Definitive styles of Shiraz are emerging from Australia's different regions, so much so that Barossa could soon have its own appellation for the variety.

Two Hands Bad Impersonator, Barossa Valley - ***
'Excellent fruit. Dry and concentrated wood. Good cool intensity for Barossa. Long and juicy.'

Two Hands Bella's Garden, Barossa Valley - ***
'Black cherry, leather and spice. The palate is deeply fruited with creamy new oak and a balanced drying finish.'

The Wine Spectator

By Harvey Steiman
June 2005

Tasting Highlights: Barossa Shiraz

The 2003 and 2001 bottlings are richer than the 2002s, which are crisp, even tart….
Branson Coachhouse Shiraz Barossa Valley Coach House Block Rare Single Vineyard 2003 - 96 Points
'This single-vineyard bottling from the makers of Two Hands is a huge wine that doesn't feel as big as it is, glowing at the center with blueberry, purple plum and currant fruit, shaded on the edges with sweet spices, sage and a touch of creamy oak, all of it expanding on the finish against ultrafine tannins. The aftertaste lingers for days. Best from 2007 through 2020. 750 cases made.'

Two Hands Shiraz Barossa Valley Ares 2003 - 95 Points

'This, the superpremium wine carrying the Two Hands label, seems to be backing off on the lavish oak character it showed in earlier vintages, and for the better. It's dark, dense and peppery, with a bay leaf edge to the brooding black cherry and licorice flavors. Firm tannins don't cover the cherry flavor as it persists on the finish. So tightly wound it needs several years to begin showing what it has. Best from 2008 through 2020. 230 cases made.'

Branson Coach House Shiraz Barossa Valley Greenock Block Single Vineyard 2003 - 92 Points

'Ripe, velvety and generous with its black cherry, black pepper, dried tomato and licorice flavors, a counterpoint of spicy, smoky oak adding an extra layer without taking over. Has depth and persistence, excellent balance despite some heat from alcohol, and real class. Best from 2007 through 2015. 650 cases made.'

www.quaff.com.au

By Max Allen
June 2005

'No disguises here - just brilliance: everything is absolutely spot-on with this wonderfully foaming grapey fruit bomb. Modelled on the gorgeous, sherbety, fizzy wines made from the moscato grape in Italy's north-east, this is musky, perfumed Barossa Valley Frontignac (like moscato, also a member of the family of grapes), bottled halfway through fermentation at just 6.5% per cent alcohol, retaining a dollop of chunky 500ml bottle also feels lovely in the palm, looks lovely in the fridge (especially lined up in a row in the fridge door), and is exceptionally well-priced at. I know what I'll be drinking a lot of this summer. Bravo to all the hands.'

The Matthew Jukes 100 Best Australian Wines 2005
Released May 2005
By Matthew Jukes

Two Hands Lily's Garden Shiraz, Mclaren Vale
'There is a slickness and presence about this wine that is magnetic. Smooth, fit, toned and muscular, this is the Sergeei Bubka of the wine world.'

www.quaff.com.au

By Max Allen
May 2005

'Consider the Two Hands Moscato. Modelled on the grapy, gently frothy sweet wines of Italy's North West, this is an increasingly - and deservedly - popular wine style in Australia….a lightly alcoholic, easy-to-drink wine that both the punters and the critics adore. We need greater diversity of wine styles like this.'

Top 250 Wines of the Year 2005
Matthew Jukes

Two Hands Angel's Share Shiraz 2003 - Blockbuster
This is a young wine but it is already showing some serious class and depth of fruit. The spice, intensity and breadth of flavour is stunning and, I am sorry, but this bloke ain't givin' the Angels any of his share.

Wine International
Australia Terroir Tasting, March 2005

86 Points

Two Hands Samantha's Garden Shiraz 2003 Clare Valley, South Australia.

‘Fragrant and flowery, with light bilberry fruit and lots of cassis.'

The Wine Advocate – Issue 156
Robert Parker' Wine Personalities of the Year 2005
Michael Twelftree
Two Hands Wines

“Two Hands, Australia – The finest negotiant operation south of the equator, Two Hands is run by the dynamic Michael Twelftree. In a few short years, Twelftree, along with winemaker Matt Wenk, has built this exciting enterprise producing South Australian Shiraz, Grenache, and such curiosities as Riesling, desert Semillon, and low alcohol Moscato, into an extraordinary success. These fairly priced, brilliant offerings are full of character and personality. Twelftree is one smart guy, realizing what his country of origin does so well – produce full-flavored wines from ripe grapes”.

Wine Spectator
Top 100 for 2004

2003 Two Hands Angels Share No. 51

Observer Food Monthly

December 2004
Tim Atkin
All I Want For Christmas
'My two top reds are from the New World, the Two Hands Angel's Share Shiraz is a muscular inky Shiraz…..'

Wine Spectator
Harvey Steiman;
Friday, November 12, 2004
Tasting Highlights: Two Hands Australia's Two Hands Shirazes Showcase Regional Differences

Wine

TWO HANDS Shiraz Barossa Valley Bella's Garden 2003 Score 94
Powerful stuff; densely packed and oozing rich cherry, blackberry, licorice, pepper and exotic spice flavors, showing gorgeous balance and even elegance as the flavours persist in a lovely chorus. Has great depth and presence. Best from 2007 through 2020.

TWO HANDS Shiraz McLaren Valen Lily's Garden 2003 Score 93
Raw and powerful, a muscular shiraz with vivid, sharply etched blackberry, black cherry and peppery spice aromas and flavours, persisting impressively on the finish, veering toward tart. Needs time to settle in. Best from 2007 through 2015.

TWO HANDS Shiraz Heathcote Max's Garden 2003 Score 92
A gorgeous blast of lively raspberry, red cherry and plum that whooshes over the palate on a jet stream of vibrant acidity that carries the finish to a long and satisfying end. Needs food to feed the acidity. Drink now through 2012.

TWO HANDS Shiraz McLaren Vale Angel's Share 2003 Score 92
Not a huge mouthful, but it unfolds its flavors and builds up intensity as the blackberry, plum, cedar and floral-pepper flavors persist into the long, generous finish. Best from 2007 through 2015.

TWO HANDS Shiraz Padthaway Sophie's Garden 2003 Score 91
Dark, ripe and plush in texture, with a strong minty character that runs through the vivid blackberry and roasted plum at the center, persisting on the spicy, middly ceddary finish. Tannins need to settle in. Best from 2006 through 2012. 280 cases imported.

TWO HANDS Shiraz Barossa Valley Bad Impersonator 2003 Score 90
Broad and spicy, with yummy cherry, plum, star anise and molasses flavors that gain a lift from bright acidity on the long finish. Drink now through 2013.

TWO HANDS Shiraz Langhorne Creek Harry & Edward's Garden 2003 Score 90
Firm and lively, with a wonderful range of spicy, floral, earthy aromatics that swirl around a fine core of cinnamon-scented black cherry and berry flavors on a silky frame. Drink now through 2009.

The Wine Advocate # 155 October 2004 Robert M. Parker

Two Hands 2002 Shiraz Ares
BAROSSA VALLEY
98

Two Hands 2002 Shiraz Lily's Garden
MCLAREN VALLEY
96

Two Hands 2003 Cabernet Sauvignon Aphrodite
BAROSSA VALLEY
( 94-96)

Two Hands 2002 Shiraz Bella's Garden
BAROSSA VALLEY
95

Two Hands 2002 Shiraz Samantha's Garden
CLARE VALLEY
95

Two Hands 2002 Shiraz Bad Impersonator
BAROSSA VALLEY 95

Two Hands 2002 Shiraz/Cabernet Sauvignon The Bull and Bear
BAROSSA VALLEY
94

Two Hands 2003 Shiraz/Grenache Brave Faces
BAROSSA VALLEY
92

Two Hands 2003 Semillon Cane Cut for Love or Money
BAROSSA VALLEY
91

Two Hands 2003 Shiraz Angel's Share
MCLAREN VALLEY
91

Two Hands 2004 Moscato Brilliant Disguise
BAROSSA VALLEY
90

Two Hands 2004 Riesling The Wolf
CLARE VALLEY
88

This relatively new winery, run by the dynamic Michael Twelftree, is one of the most exciting projects to emerge from South Australia. Twelftree obviously knows how to make top quality wine. Moreover he has sufficient contacts to access spectacular fruit. I can not recommend these offerings highly enough as they are brilliant examples of modern winemaking, taking advantage of full flavoured fruit and producing wines of character, complexity and flavour intensity.

Australian Financial Review
25-27 June 2004
Tim White
Drinking It, Under $30

Two Hands Angel's Share
2003 Brave Faces Barossa Valley Shiraz Grenache

Australian Gourmet Traveller June/July 2004
Top 30 Reds Under $30

2003 Two Hands Angel's Share Shiraz
This is the entry point red for a new (established 2000) company which specialises in producing shiraz from different South Australian regions. This light-to medium-bodied shiraz is immediately approachable, yet has enough intriguing characters and complexities to make it appeal to serious wine lovers.

Australian Gourmet Traveller Wine Magazine
June/July 2004
Peter Forrestal
Top Reds Under $30

2003 Angels Share McLaren Vale Shiraz

The West Australian
May 20, 2004
Ray Jordan

Chill Factor - Robust reds to keep you warm on the coldest nights
Two Hands Angel's Share Shiraz 2003

The Sunday Age, May 9, 2004
Ralph-Kyte Powell
Drink Up - Young South Australians

Two Hands, Brave Faces Barossa Valley Shiraz Grenache 2003

The Bulletin
May 5 2004
Colin Climo

Looking for benchmark SA shiraz wines? Two Hands is putting them together.
Two Hands Angel's Share Shiraz 2003

Wine Front Monthly, April 2004
Campbell Mattinson

Two Hands, Brave Faces Barossa Valley Shiraz Grenache 2003

Wine Front Monthly
April 2004
Campbell Mattinson

Two Hands Angel's Share McLaren Vale Shiraz 2003

Wine International

March 2004
First Taste
Drink 2004 - 88 Points
Two Hands Angels Share McLaren Vale Shiraz

Decanter

March 2004
Decanter Fine Wine Encounter - 100 Wines to see off Winter
Australia
Two Hands - Bellas Garden Barossa Valley Shiraz

The Times

February 2004
Jane McQuitty
Aussie Wine
'While some conclude that it is beginning of the end for Aussie wine, I am unconvinced….Clare Valley Reisling is Australia's moth toothsome regional white, and I was delighted to taste the stunning 2003 Two Hands Reisling ' The Wolf'
'Try it along side the elegant, inky, perfumed, blockbuster bramble fruit of Two Hands Lily's Garden, McLaren Vale Shiraz'

Two Hands deserves applause - Wine by Ray Jordan
Western Australian February 5th,2004

New blood in this industry is what makes this writing caper so interesting. Sure, its great to taste classic, old wines from distinguished lines, but nothing excites the senses quite so much as a bright newcomer with a great future clearly before it.

One of the most impressive I have seen in some time is the Barossa-based Two Hands, which comes complete with quirky names, clever packaging and fabulously-opulent, rich wines.

The partnership of Michael Twelftree and Richard Mintz - they are the two hands - has lost little wine in getting their impressive operation up and running since its launch in 1999.

The principal aim of the partnership has been to produce classic shiraz, based largely on the best the Barossa can offer, but also bringing into play some high-class shiraz from other areas such as McLaren Vale in South Australia and Heathcote in Victoria.

Both Twelftree and Mintz come from a wine-linked background, which has provided a solid basis for the partnership. Twelftree, initially from a construction background, spent a number of years exporting Australian wine to the United States and Mintz a chartered accountant was formerly chief executive of one of Australia's leading cooperages in the Barossa Valley.

The first vintage was in 2000 when Two Hands started with 17 tonnes of fruit from McLaren Vale and Padthaway, and now the fruit is being sourced from a number of other regions.

There is no doubt that Two Hands was set up to be different. Its clearly reflected in just about everything from the names they have chosen for the wines, to the wines themselves, which are unashamedly sold at premium prices. You get just a hint of d'Arenberg concentricity in these names, but hey, this should be fun.

To justify the prices, Two Hands sources the best fruit it can get its many hands on from six major regions, with the aim of producing super premium wines of uncompromising quality. My recent tasting of these wines clearly reflected the fruit as the key driver.

The fruit itself is processed by small batch handling to maximise the individual regional and varietal characteristics. Oak is certainly used in reasonable amounts, such is the depth and concentration of some of the shiraz, but it is the fruit that dominates.

The intention is to remain a boutique small producer, limiting production to just the 10,000 case annual production which they have already achieved from the 200 tonne crush.

The backbone of Two Hands is the Garden Series of wines and the intention is to make all the wines to a Garden Series level and declassify if the wines don't measure up to the standards during subsequent assessment. The wines that don't crack the Garden Series generally go into the Picture series, which is still a pretty smart range.

Late last year I included the Two Hands wines in a regular tasting and the Garden Series of three wines really stood out.

The Two Hands Lily's Garden McLaren Vale shiraz 2002 ($55) shows how marvellous 2002 was throughout southern Australia. The powerful aroma shows stacks of licorice and savoury fruit characters. The soft, fleshy and remarkably-supple palate texture is a feature of this wine with the slightly assertive finish providing a neat finish to the package.

I like also the balance of fruit and oak. An impressive wine that is just gorgeous drinking.

The Two Hands Bella's Garden Barossa Valley shiraz 2002 ($55) shows the depth and concentration of Barossa shiraz at its best. It has a dense, unctuous feel in the mouth with ripe tannins and a nice mix of oak. It is wine with some years ahead of it, yet such is the balance you could happily drink this immediately.

The Two Hands Samantha's Garden shiraz 2002 ($55) is the first shiraz from Clare Valley to be released in this range. The colour is deep and bright and the bouquet of plum and prune with some distinctive Clare mint and eucalyptus. The palate is delightfully smooth and supple and impressive length.

Garden Series wines will be added from Heathcote and Langhorne Creek.

The Picture Series loses little in comparison. For instance, the Two Hands The Wolf Riesling 2003 ($25) comes from the outstanding 03 vintage in Clare. The strong smells of lime zest and grapefruit provide a powerful introductions. The palate is full of spicy mineral flavours with a fresh acid cut.

I was also impressed with The Bad Impersonator Barossa Valley shiraz 2002 ($45) a single vineyard wine sourced from the grey soils of Light Pass and showing an intense yet elegantly fruity palate. And the Bull and Bear Barossa shiraz cabernet 2002 ($45) showed a lovely soft, rounded structure with deep savoury, plum fruit.

Its been an impressive beginning for Two Hands. My advice is to get your own hands on some of them and see for yourself how good they are. Try Steve's Nedlands Park Hotel, La Vigna in Mt Lawley and Barossa Cellars in Leederville.

Australia 's Finest Shiraz
EWS Blind Tasting - January 6, 2004

We have seen the interest and popularity of Australian Shiraz grow substantially over the last two decades, as the "wine boom" going on Down Under closely parallels that of California. Now, we simply pencil in an annual review in early January of the best new Shiraz releases within the past 12 months.

Recent vintages, beginning with the 1998s, have been outstanding for Shiraz. The market place is filled with many choices for consumers, seemingly with each Shiraz having a rave review or two from the wine press on its resume. Our simple objective in organizing this tasting was to gather a group of highly touted Shiraz from 1998 - 2001 for a blind tasting competition to find out which is the best of the best.

It is interesting to note that Shiraz has changed over the years, in much the same way Barolos and Barbarescos have changed in Piemonte. Many Australian winemakers seem caught up in consciously making their Shiraz more "user friendly" and drinkable when young, using all the tricks (low yields, lots of new oak, no fining or filtering, etc.) to accomplish this. While they have succeeded admirably, we've also noticed that they have lost some of the Shiraz character that made this wine unique. Don't get us wrong, we recognize that as a group, Australian Shiraz is better now than ever before. But as Shiraz moves closer to being "world wine," we kind of miss the chewy, almost brutal young Shiraz of yesteryear, in the manner of Grange Hermitage a few decades ago.

This point is important because most of the wines in this tasting -- as delicious as they were -- had less Shiraz character than the good old days and were more "world wine" than uniquely Australian.

All wines were poured from numbered bags (1 - 13). Participants were asked to vote (by number) for their three favorite wines. We award three points for every first place vote, two for every second place vote, and one point for every third. The table lists the wine according to the results of these numerical rankings.

The consensus tasting notes -- written to share commentary and convey the overall impression the group had for the wine -- are presented after the table in the order the wines were poured. Price listed represents approximate retail.

#

Wine (55 voters)

1st
Place

2nd
Place

3rd
Place

Total
Points

13

2001 Fox Creek "Reserve"

18

4

2

64

7

2001 Henry's Drive "Reserve"

8

6

6

42

3

2001 Marquis Philips "Integrity"

5

6

13

40

12

1998 Wynn's "Michael"

6

6

10

40

2

2001 Kay Brothers " Hillside"

6

7

2

34

11

2001 Two Hands "Lily's Garden"

5

7

4

33

8

1998 Penfold's "Grange"

3

7

3

26

9

2000 Hazyblur

2

6

1

19

6

2000 d'Arenberg "The Dead Arm"

0

5

4

14

2

2001 Clarendon Hills Syrah "Hickinbotham Vineyard"

1

1

3

8

5

1999 Three Hills

1

0

4

7

10

2001 Jasper Hill " Georgia's Paddock"

0

1

2

4

4

1999 Noon "Reserve"

0

0

1

1

11) 2001 Two Hands "Lily's Garden" (McLaren Vale) - $50 - 33 points (five 1st, seven 2nd, four 3rd) - 93 rating Opaque. Lovely sweet nose showing notes of chocolate and oak. Massive on the palate with incredible concentration and rich, ripe fruit. One of the most complex wines of the tasting; lots of grip. Everything is in balance. Really delicious "world wine" style with perhaps more oak character than Shiraz character. Features a long finish. Despite its size and structure, probably better to drink now than cellar. Overall, first rate.

Donna Hay Magazine
Favourite Wine Awards 2004

2003 Angel's Share McLaren Vale Shiraz - Highly Recommended

Wine Spectator - Top 100 for 2003

11. Two Hands 'Bella's Garden' Barossa Shiraz

Wine Spectator Weekly
Marvi R Shankin - Vol 2 No 44 - October 2003-12-16

Hot Wines
Two Hands, Bella's Garden
One of the first serious 2002 Shiraz wines from Barossa bodes well for this vintage. It's classic stuff.

Wine Spectator Weekly
Marvin R. Shanken, Editor and Publisher
Oct. 30, 2003

Australia

Two Hands - Shiraz Clare Valley Samantha's Garden 2002 91 points
Two Hands - Shiraz Cabernet Sauvignon Barossa Valley The Bull and Bear 2002 90 points
Two Hands - Shiraz Barossa Valley Bad Impersonator 2002

Meant to emulate the style of the Northern Rhone, this one comes off richer than that, thanks to the ripness of the vintage.

Hot Wines

These are the most exciting discoveries from our editors' most recent tastings, published exclusively in Wine Spectator Weekly. They are high-scoring, low-production wines from around the world that may be difficult to find, but are worth seeking out.

Two Hands- Shiraz McLaren Vale Lily's Garden 2002 - 94 points

Winefront Monthly - September 2003
Worth Taking Another Look

I liked the quality of Two Hands wines the first time I tasted them, and just about every time I've tasted a new one I've been equally or more impressed. The Wines are good. The Wines are excellent. They're arguably, steadily, getting even better.

The Sunday Times
Jane MacQuitty - September 20, 2003

MacQuitty's Star Buys: 20.09.03
2002 Two Hands Angel's Share McLaren Vale Shiraz
Australia

Two Hands specialises in top-drawer Aussie shiraz such as this one from McLaren Vale. Its heavy, sweet, silky-smooth palate leads to a magnificent bramble-a-plum layered 14.5 per cent alcohol finish.

James Halliday
August 2003

Two Hands The Wolf Reisling 94/100
Two Hands Angel's Share McLaren Vale Shiraz 90/100
Two Hands Ares Barossa Valley Shiraz 94/100
Two Hands Brave Faces Barossa Valley Shiraz Grenache 92/100

Sunday Life

June 2003 Super Shiraz

Wine Ralph Kyte-Powell
(Ralph Kyte-Powell is co-author, with Huon Hooke, of the Good Australian Wine Guide 2002-2003, published by Penguin Books)

Two Hands Padthaway Shiraz 2000
Two Hands is a new name for its hearty red wines. This has a slightly portly thing to it, and the aromas are reminiscent of blackberry and vanilla. In the mouth it's ripe, round and rich with loads of flavour. Served with an oxtail stew.

Gourmet Traveller

June 2003

Bold Winter Reds

Peter Bourne picks some of his favourites

2002 Two Hands Angel's Share Shiraz McLaren
A wonderful new wine from this cult label which is now appearing on select retailers 'shelves. The aromas are of dark plums and blackberry fruit pastilles touched with garden smells. The palate shows rich mulberry fruit with chocolate and warm spices on the finish.

Sainsbury's

Sainsbury's is expanding its wine offering through a new dedicated website www.sainsburys.co.uk /wine which will bring a wealth of a new and exciting products and exceptional promotions to our customers without them even having to leave their homes.

From the end of August customers will find wines such as the following on the site, which give a flavour of the forty new wine parcels that will be on the site when it launches, and a taste of things to come…

Two hands Angels Share Shiraz 2002

Wine Spectator Weekly

May 2003

Hot Wines

Shiraz Barossa Valley Ares 2001
95 points
For its first couple of vintages, Two Hands made its reputation on beautifully crafted wines. This selection of five barrels of the best Shiraz in the winery is its bid to compete with the big boys. It's a doozy, rich, ripe and long, a huge explosion of black cherry, plum and exotic spices up front, the whole range echoing beautifully as fine tannins wrap up the finish, hitting peppermint, licorice and toasty notes. Best from 2005 through 2015.

Wine Spectator

May 15, 2003

www.winespectator.com
Best Values - Wines with solid scores, modest prices and wide distribution.

Sydney Morning Herald

Two Hands On deck by Huon Hooke

He has only been producing wine a short time but Michael Twelftree is making a big splash

Robert Parker's Wine Advocate

Issue #143, February 2003

2001 Two Hands Shiraz Lily's Garden
93
2001 Two Hands Shiraz Sophie's Garden
91
2001 Two Hands Shiraz Ares
(90-93)
2001 Tow Hands Shiraz Bad Impersonator
90
2001 Two Hands Shiraz Bella's Garden
(90-93)
2000 Two Hands Shiraz Angels Share
90
2001 Two Hands Cabernet / Shiraz The Bull And The Bear
89
2001 Two Hands Shiraz / Grenache Brave Faces
89
2002 Two Hands Riesling The Wolf
88

Wine Spectator Weekly

February 2003

Two Hands Shiraz Padthaway Sophie's Garden 2001
93 points
Although Padthaway isn't often considered at the same level as McLaren Vale or Barossa for Shiraz, this second straight vintage from Two Hands holds its own with their wines from those places. Immensely rich and ripe without a lot of weight, with blackberry, black cherry and a touch of bittersweet chocolate sailing through the finish unimpeded by more than a wisp of apparent tannin. Has power, grace and charm in equal parts. Drink now through 2010.

Two Hands Shiraz Barossa Valley Bad Impersonator 2001
91 points
That's co-owner Michael Twelftree (one of the two hands) on the label behind the Groucho glasses, implying that this wine resembles a Rhone red. It's a rich, headly soup, all right, georgeously spicy and dramatically focused to display its hard-edged blackberry, ripe beet and minty-peppery notes swirling through the firm finish. Drink now through 2008.

Two Hands Shiraz-Cabernet Sauvignon Barossa-McLaren Vale The Bull and The Bear 2001
91 points
An artful balance of 60 percent Barossa Shiraz and 40 percent McLaren Vale Cabernet, this weaves the strengths of both grapes into a seamless package, beautifully crafted to show off dark berry and black cherry fruit, with spicy, peppery notes, echoing the flavours nicely. Drink now through 2006.

Decanter Magazine

Huon Hooke, December 2002

Winery to watch:
Two Hands

Decanter Magazine

December 2002

Experts Choice - Huon Hooke
Winery to Watch - Two Hands

Robert Parker's Wine Advocate Issue 143

Angels Share Barossa Shiraz (cork or Stelvin closure)

Brave Faces Barossa Shiraz/Grenache
89 Points

Bad Impersonator Barossa Shiraz
90 Points

The Bull and the Bear McLaren/Barossa Shiraz/Cabernet
89 Points

Sophie's Garden Padthaway Shiraz
91

Lily's Garden McLaren Vale Shiraz
93 Points

Bella's Garden Barossa Shiraz
93-93 Points

Jancis Robinson

Wine of the week, 12th of November, 2002

www.jancisrobinson.com

Very Fragrant, it has surprisingly supple fruit that is so ripe it tastes almost more like old-vine Grenache than Shiraz. Maybe this is the McLaren Vale gloss working its usual magic. The wine is immensely flattering with its velvet texture, spreads itself to all corners of palate and could be much enjoyed immediately or in a year or two.

Jancis Robinson, www.jancisrobinson.com

12th November 2002

Wine of the Week.
Two Hands Angel's Share 2001 McLaren Vale, Australia
'….best value and bursting with drinking pleasure. Very fragrant... surprisingly supple fruit so ripe that it tastes more like old-vine Grenache than Shiraz'

Sydney Morning Herald

Huon Hooke, 9th July 2002

Two Hands Angel's Share McLaren Vale Shiraz
'It's a smooth sumptuous, chocolate and blackberry-ish, soft and supple red with flavour to burn'

Wine Spectator, Harvey Steiman, September 2002

" Two Hands is a new label from Machael Twelftree, who exports hard to find Aussie wines to consumers worldwide. The Shiraz Padathaway (93 points) is distictive for it's expresso and pepper notes, seductive with plush blackberry and cream flavours. Their elegant Shiraz McLaren Vale (93 points) has great red cherry, plum and spice character, length and style."

Two Hands Brave Faces 2001
'..deep purple-red, with plush vanilla, dark chocolate, plum and spice aromas. It has a soft fleshy palate with warm-grown suppleness and oodles of charm.'

Robert M. Parker
The Wine Advocate October 2005 #161

The irrepressible Michael Twelftree is one of those Aussies who not only "talks the talk" but "walks the walk". One of my 2004 wine personalities of the year he continues to demonstrate a brilliant ability to access tremendous fruit and turn it into stunning wine, offering an immense range of distinctive regional reds and whites. Sweeter and low in alcohol, the 2005 Moscato Brilliant Disguise is a noteworthy imitation of top notch Piedmontese Moscato. With 6.5% alcohol, a slight spritziness and a touch of residual sugar it is the ideal frothy aperitif wine. Beautiful aromas of tropical fruits and honeysuckle emerge from this crisp refreshing, light bodied wine. However, these wines deteriorate quickly, so enjoy it over the next 6-9 months.

Although Two Hands sweet wines do not quite measure up to the other strong cuvées, both the 2004 Vin de Paille and 2004 Semillon Cane Cut For Love or Money are very good efforts. Medium to full - bodied withattractive honeyed sweetness, both wines possess some funk and disjointedness. I have a slight preference for the Cane Cut For Love or Money as it offers waxy, honeysuckle and tropical fruit notes along with a touch of botrytis. The Vin de Paille seemed weird, but perhaps it was going through a difficult stage of its evolution.

Two Hands' glorious line up of 2003 and 2004 reds are noteworthy successors to the brilliant portfolio of 2002s. For starters, there are 20 000 cases of the 2003 Shiraz The Lucky Country, a blend of 55% Shiraz and 45% Cabernet Sauvignon. An outstanding effort as well as an attractive value, it offer a deep ruby/purple colour with loads of crème de cassis fruit intermixed with hints of smoke and liquorice. Thus delicious, savory, Australian Red (finished with a screw cap) is best drunk during its first 3-4 years of life. The tank-fermented and aged 2004 Grenache Yesterday's Hero (100% Grenache) exhibits a medium ruby colour along with pleasant raspberry and kirsch characters, but it is somewhat tart as well as narrowly constructed in the mouth. It is a competent Australian equivalent of a low level French Côtes du Rhône. The 2003 Shiraz Gnarly Dudes dense ruby/black colour is followed by a sweet nose of crème de cassis and blackberries, supple tannin, an opulent attack and mid palate, and a pure seamless finish. Drink it over the next 4-5 years. From 40 year old vines, the 2003 Shiraz bad Impersonator reveals a French-like, graceful, elegant personality as well as plenty of concentration and intensity. Offering up notes of blackberries, dried herbs, subtle sweet vanillin, and notions of blueberries and roasted meats, this complex ripe, medium to full bodied Shiraz is satisfying both hedonistically and intellectually. Enjoy it over the next decade. A blend of 70% Shiraz and 30% Grenache, the 2004 Brave Faces is a fruit forward, exuberant offering that Michael Twelftree describes as "one of the whores of my line up". A luscious red revealing abundant amount of cherries, raspberries, and currants intermixed with notions of liquorice and spice. It is about seductive as a Syrah/Grenache blond can be. Since only 20% new oak was used, the fruit is its dominant characteristic. Drink it over the next 3-4 years. Another hedonistic effort is the 2004 Shiraz Angels' Share. A deep ruby/purple colour is accompanied by a fruit-filled wine with a gorgeously complex nose of led pencil shavings, charcoal, blackberries ad cassis. Medium to full-bodied, with admirable purity, balance and the tell-tale opulence and voluptuous texture this estate's wines all seem to possessed. It should be enjoyed over the next 7-8 years. Aged in both French and American oak (only 20% new), the deep ruby/purple tinged 2003 Shiraz (66%) Cabernet Sauvignon 34%) The Bull and Bear reveals vanilla, spice box, blackcurrant, and tobacco leaf characteristics along with medium to full body a beautiful texture and a pretty elegant, French-like personality.

Twelftree believes in offering an aromatic and taste profile of each Australian wine region and the following wines represent what he calls his "regional series". The 2003 Shiraz Max's Garden is a cooler climate offering from Cambrian soils of Heathcote. It possesses higher acidity than its siblings as well as a solid deep ruby/purple colour, medium body, and more steely mineral-like notes interwoven with black currant and blackberry fruit. A restrained but well-made effort, it should drink well for a decade. From Langhorne Creek, the 20 case cuvée of 2003 Shiraz Harry & Edward's Garden is more classically southern Australian displaying notes of loamy soil, black berries, cassis, smoke, and toasty oak. This rich, full - bodied impressive Shiraz should drink well for a decade. Somewhat monolithic, but big and weighty in the mouth is the 2003 Shiraz Sophie's Garden from Padthaway. While not as charming or nuanced as some of its siblings, it is a foursquare effort boasting 16% alcohol (although it does not taste hot). One of my favourites of this group of regional offerings is the 2003 Shiraz Samantha's Garden from Clare Valley. A dense ruby/purple colour leads to a floral, flamboyant, exotic wine boasting great body, rich concentrated fruit, supple tannin and explosive mid-palate and a long finish. This is compelling example of elegant, but powerful Shiraz from South Australia. It should drink well for over a decade. The extraordinary 2003 Shiraz Lily's Garden exhibits an inky ruby/purple hue to the rim in addition to a stunning aromatic display of blackberries, cassis liqueur, liquorice, smoky oak, sweet chocolate and espresso roast. A fabulously concentrated, multi dimensional, layered wine with power, elegance and a seamless personality, it can be drunk young or cellared for a decade or more. Another blockbuster is the pure, wellbalanced 2003 Shiraz Bella's Garden. Dense ruby/purple with a perfume of smoky oak, bacon fat, black cherries and sweet cassis, it possesses tremendous fruit, a wonderful texture and a long heady finish with sweet tannin. It should drink well for a decade or more.

One of the most expensive offerings in this portfolio is the 2003 Shiraz Ares, a 230 case cuvée that flirts with perfection. A selection of the best lots of Bella's Garden it is a kinky, but fabulous Shiraz fashioned from very old vines, and aged in100% new French oak (which is barely noticeable given the wine's concentration). An opaque purple colour is accompanied by a flamboyant, riveting bouquet of roasted meats, blackberry liqueur, charcoal and white flowers. Full-bodied and voluptuous with amazing purity, concentration and texture, this sensational Australian red should drink well for 15-20 years. Michael Twelftree can also turn a trick or two with Cabernet Sauvignon as evidenced by one of the finest Cabernets I have ever tasted from Australia, the 2003 Cabernet Sauvignon Aphrodite. This amazing 100% Cabernet tasted even better from the bottle than it did last year from barrel. Aged in 100% Taransaud wood it boasts an extraordinary perfume of blackcurrants, melted liquorice, blueberries, cigar smoke, and espresso roast. A superb texture, fabulous concentration, sweet, melted tannin and a finish that lasts for nearly a minute will cause cabernet lovers to go bonkers. Still young and primary, it will be even better with 2-3 years of bottle age, and should age for two decades or more. A barrel sample of the 2004 Cabernet Sauvignon Aphrodite suggests it may be even better. It includes everything found in the 2003, with additional nuances and greater length and persistence in the mouth. It is a tour de force in wine making, as are many of these offerings from Two Hands.


     

 

 

 

 

 

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