Stuart Knox reviews Two Hands with The Real Review

Stuart Knox is the owner and sommelier of Fix Wine Bar + Restaurant. Stuart is a judge a number of well-known Australian wine shows, including the Sydney Royal Wine Show, the Hunter Valley Wine Show, the McLaren Vale Wine Show and the NSW Wine Awards. 

Ares Barossa Valley Shiraz 2020 – 97/100 points
Barossa Valley
AUD 200
Diam
14.5%
750 ml

“Deep ruby red in the glass. Blackberry, bitumen, black pepper and cocoa aromas. Dense and powerful on the palate, this sings of Barossa with its ripe blue and purple fruits, ironstone and mocha notes. All that intensity is wrapped up with an all-encompassing net of fine gravelly tannins that ensures tension is held and drives it to a vastly long finish. You could drink it now, but it will highly reward you if you can cellar it for an extended period” – SK.
Drink between 2025–2045

Ranked #8 of 164
2020 Shiraz from Barossa Valley


Spirit of Place Shiraz 2021 – 96/100 points
Barossa Valley
AUD 150
Diam
14.5%
750 ml

“Deep ruby with a vibrant purple rim. Blueberry compote and crushed violets on the nose. Palate sings of density and power without being overbearing. Blue fruits, graphite, and black olive notes all meld seamlessly throughout while firm but contextually correct tannins bring tension and drive. Fantastic length and clarity to the finish: the whole wine speaks more of the vineyard than winemaker manipulation” – SK.
Drink between 2025–2041

Ranked #18 of 204
2021 Shiraz from Barossa Valley

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Coach House Block Seppeltsfield Shiraz 2022 – 96/100 points
Barossa Valley
AUD 125
Diam
14.3%
750 ml

“Impenetrable core with a deep ruby colour at the rim. Blueberry, wakame and iodine aromas. Dark and deep palate with iodine, ferrous notes and a nori character that all sit over ripe blue fruits. There’s serious intent here, everything sits in harmony with a finely wrought yet powerfully built tannin frame carrying the whole package incredibly long. What really sets this wine apart is the immense power, but it has a sense of lightness that allows you to revel in its delights” – SK.
Drink between 2025–2042

Ranked #7 of 122
2022 Shiraz from Barossa Valley


Holy Grail Seppeltsfield Shiraz 2022 95/100 points
Barossa Valley
AUD 125
Diam
14.5%
750 ml

“Deep and dense ruby core, a rich purple at the rim. Mulberry, beef stock and dark chocolate aromas. Powerful and weighty with rich black and blue fruits layered across chocolate, pastrami and vanilla pod complexities. The full throttle palate coats every corner of the mouth with a richness that could dominate but gravelly tannins have the presence required to keep the whole unit marching long and delivering a resoundingly dry finish. Get out your biggest beef roast to serve with this” – SK.
Drink between 2025–2041


Lily’s Garden McLaren Vale Shiraz 2022 – 92/100 points
McLaren Vale
AUD 70
Diam
14.6%
750ml

“Ink black core to a deep purple rim. Mulberry, dark chocolate and vanilla pod aromatics. Full bodied with ripe mulberry and complexing mocha and anise notes. It has a lovely glide to it, the weight is subtly lifted by a breath of acidity and super-fine tannins help carry it along. There’s a lovely seamlessness to this wine that makes it very appealing” – SK.
Drink between 20252033


Twelftree Schuller McLaren Vale Grenache 2021 – 92/100 points
McLaren Vale
AUD 45
Screw Cap
14.5%
750ml

“Lovely bright ruby red colour. Forest berries and dried rosemary aromatics. Good weight and density on entry; opens with plush mixed berry fruit then glides into graphite, pancetta and anise savoury complexities. Tannins are supple but have ample persistence to ensure length and focus into the finish” – SK.
Drink between 2025–2035

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Angels Share McLaren Vale Shiraz 2023 – 91/100 points
McLaren Vale
AUD 32
Screw Cap
14.2%
750ml

“Ink black core, deep purple at the rim. Heady nose of blueberry compote, chocolate and vanilla pods. Palate is big and dense, ripe mulberry balanced by anise and vanilla spices, a dark undercurrent of ferrous minerality adding further complexity. Firm tannins make sure it drives long to a dry and warming finish” – SK.
Drink between 20252035


Brave Faces Barossa Valley Grenache, Mourvèdre, Shiraz 2023 – 90/100 points
Barossa Valley
AUD 32
Screw Cap
14.6%
750ml

“Full ruby red colour. Raspberry, musk stick and nori aromatics. Medium to full bodied with a velvet glide to the flow. Blue and black fruits, mocha and iodine notes are all noted and well integrated across the palate. Good length with a soft, voluptuous finish” – SK

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Yesterday’s Hero McLaren Vale Grenache 2023 – 90/100 points
McLaren Vale
AUD 32
Screw Cap
14.4%
750ml

Medium to deep ruby red in the glass. Crushed raspberry and musk stick aromatics. Ripe and sweet red fruits and musk notes on entry, a slippery texture to the flow with fine velvet tannins caressing at the edges. Goes quite long and the finish has a subtle warmth that lingers” – SK

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