PENGUIN WINE AWARDS 2003 - BEST NEW PRODUCER - TWO HANDS

They've pack- aged them with quirky labels and distinctive names, and the marketing effort does fully justite to the quality in the bottle. These are wines that cannot be ignored, jam-packed with flavour and character. In early 2003 they completed a cellar door in the Greenock area of the Barossa. We predict they'll go far.

Two Hands 'Bad Impersonator' Single Vineyard Barossa Valley Shiraz
This nascent Adelaide-based company has created an extraordinary range of rich, warm-area 'concept reds' Grapes shiraz with such superb packaging and catchy names they ensure you always read the label.
CURRENT RELEASE 2001 It tastes like a shiraz from a slightly cooler region, because of its peppery aromas. It has dusty, earthy, plum and herbal aromas too. It really comes into its own in the mouth, though, where it has sumptuously rich, sweet, very ripe fruit galore. It's very deep and fleshy with smart style and elegance, and the finish carries on and on. Try it with a hearty beef casserole.

Two Hands 'Bella's Garden' Barossa Valley Shiraz
Several of the Two Hands wines are named after children Value ***~ or other females in the circle of the owners of the brand, Grapes shiraz Michael Twelftree and his silent partner (ssshhhh!).
CURRENT RELEASE 2001 We prefer Two Hands' Barossa shirazes to their Mclaren Vales, which are thicker and soupier and less well structured.. This has a dense colour and smells of chocolate, vanilla and toasty barrels.. It's been thoroughly infused with oak, but not really overdone. There's a trace of mint and the palate is thick and chewy in its density.. The texture is smooth and fleshy.. A wine to sip with aged cheddar.

Two Hands 'Lily's Garden' McLaren Vale Shiraz
Michael Twelftree ran a building company before deciding to chuck it in and follow his heart into the wine industry. Lovers of big, rich reds are very glad he did.
CURRENT RELEASE 2001 How porty do you like your red wine? The colour is nicely deep, the aromas suggest licorice, port and earth, and it has a thick, sweet, oily texture that is so overripe it strays into port territory. A !ot of people love this sort of thing, but we reckon it has little to do with stylish red wine, and is difficult to drink imore1han a sip or two. Food: not really!

Two Hands 'Sophie's Garden' Padthaway Shiraz
Two Hands recently built a winery in the Greenock sub region of the Barossa Valley. They'll have a cellar doorsales outlet there, and various other attractions. Grapes shiraz
CURRENT RELEASE 2001 This is another different Region Padthaway, expression of shiraz from the hard-working Two Hands Cellar. This time, a raisiny fruit character which borders on 'dead fruit' and lacks vibrancy, suggesting the grapes were left hanging a bit long. It's also chocolatey and has a hint of creosote. The maker's trademark opulence is still there, with stacks of concentrated, rich flavour, sweet and plum, jammy and all held together by a firm tannin finish. Serve with osso buco.

Two Hands The Bull & The Bear Shiraz Cabernet
We decided to review more Two Hands wines than we Quality!!!! ~ normally would for one very small producer, because they're such interesting, flavour-packed, exciting wines.
CURRENT RELEASE 2001 Like most Two Hands sauvignon offerings, this gives little clue to its varietal mix. blind, we thought it was a grenache blend! It has plenty of colour anda bouquet of straw/hay, toasty barrels, earth, dried herbs and raisins. There's a hint of the horse-stable, too. Pruney, black fruit flavours flood the palate and the tannins are coarse-grained. It's a bit funky and lacks shape, but has a tonne of flavour and character! Try it with game pie.

The Penguin Good Australian Wine Guide 2002/2003
Huon Hooke and Ralph Kyte-Powell

2001 Two Hands 'Angels Share' McLaren Vale Shiraz
A glorious wine and a pleasant surprise from an impressive new producer. The colour is deep purple-red and the wine smells of blackberries, chocolate, mints, vanilla and plums. It's an opulent style with masses of lovely ripe fruit, generous and decadent, with soft tannins. All it needs is a little time.