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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 Two Hands Wines Decanter 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 - *** Two Hands Bella's Garden, Barossa Valley - *** The Wine Spectator By Harvey Steiman Tasting Highlights: Barossa Shiraz The 2003 and 2001 bottlings are richer than the 2002s, which are crisp, even tart…. 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 '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 Two Hands Lily's Garden Shiraz, Mclaren Vale www.quaff.com.au By Max Allen '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 Two Hands Angel's Share Shiraz 2003 - Blockbuster Wine International 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 “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 2003 Two Hands Angels Share No. 51 Observer Food Monthly December 2004 Wine Spectator Wine TWO HANDS Shiraz Barossa Valley Bella's Garden 2003 Score 94 TWO HANDS Shiraz McLaren Valen Lily's Garden 2003 Score 93 TWO HANDS Shiraz Heathcote Max's Garden 2003 Score 92 TWO HANDS Shiraz McLaren Vale Angel's Share 2003 Score 92 TWO HANDS Shiraz Padthaway Sophie's Garden 2003 Score 91 TWO HANDS Shiraz Barossa Valley Bad Impersonator 2003 Score 90 TWO HANDS Shiraz Langhorne Creek Harry & Edward's Garden 2003 Score 90 The Wine Advocate # 155 October 2004 Robert M. Parker Two Hands 2002 Shiraz Ares Two Hands 2002 Shiraz Lily's Garden Two Hands 2003 Cabernet Sauvignon Aphrodite Two Hands 2002 Shiraz Bella's Garden Two Hands 2002 Shiraz Samantha's Garden Two Hands 2002 Shiraz Bad Impersonator Two Hands 2002 Shiraz/Cabernet Sauvignon The Bull and Bear Two Hands 2003 Shiraz/Grenache Brave Faces Two Hands 2003 Semillon Cane Cut for Love or Money Two Hands 2003 Shiraz Angel's Share Two Hands 2004 Moscato Brilliant Disguise Two Hands 2004 Riesling The Wolf 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 Two Hands Angel's Share Australian Gourmet Traveller June/July 2004 2003 Two Hands Angel's Share Shiraz Australian Gourmet Traveller Wine Magazine 2003 Angels Share McLaren Vale Shiraz The West Australian Chill Factor - Robust reds to keep you warm on the coldest nights The Sunday Age, May 9, 2004 Two Hands, Brave Faces Barossa Valley Shiraz Grenache 2003 The Bulletin Looking for benchmark SA shiraz wines? Two Hands is putting them together. Wine Front Monthly, April 2004 Two Hands, Brave Faces Barossa Valley Shiraz Grenache 2003 Wine Front Monthly Two Hands Angel's Share McLaren Vale Shiraz 2003 Wine International March 2004 Decanter March 2004 The Times February 2004 Two Hands deserves applause - Wine by Ray Jordan 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 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.
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 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 Hot Wines Wine Spectator Weekly Australia Two Hands - Shiraz Clare Valley Samantha's Garden 2002 91 points 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 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 MacQuitty's Star Buys: 20.09.03 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 Two Hands The Wolf Reisling 94/100 Sunday Life June 2003 Super Shiraz Wine Ralph Kyte-Powell Two Hands Padthaway Shiraz 2000 Gourmet Traveller June 2003 Bold Winter Reds Peter Bourne picks some of his favourites 2002 Two Hands Angel's Share Shiraz McLaren 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 Wine Spectator May 15, 2003 www.winespectator.com 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 Wine Spectator Weekly February 2003 Two Hands Shiraz Padthaway Sophie's Garden 2001 Two Hands Shiraz Barossa Valley Bad Impersonator 2001 Two Hands Shiraz-Cabernet Sauvignon Barossa-McLaren Vale The Bull and The Bear 2001 Decanter Magazine Huon Hooke, December 2002 Winery to watch: Decanter Magazine December 2002 Experts Choice - Huon Hooke Robert Parker's Wine Advocate Issue 143 Angels Share Barossa Shiraz (cork or Stelvin closure) Brave Faces Barossa Shiraz/Grenache Bad Impersonator Barossa Shiraz The Bull and the Bear McLaren/Barossa Shiraz/Cabernet Sophie's Garden Padthaway Shiraz Lily's Garden McLaren Vale Shiraz Bella's Garden Barossa Shiraz 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. Sydney Morning Herald Huon Hooke, 9th July 2002 Two Hands Angel's Share McLaren Vale Shiraz 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 Robert M. Parker 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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