Two Hands, Shiraz, Ares, Angel's Share, Lilys Garden, Yesterdays Hero, Shiraz, Grenache !! Taylor & Norton

Taylor & Norton

Two Hands, the story

"Quality, without compromise" is central to the Two Hands philosophy. This is achieved by sourcing the best parcels of fruit available from six prime regions within Australia, together with small batch production being a major factor in contributing to the complexity and personality of the finished wines.

The 'two hands' are Michael Twelftree and Richard Mintz who formed the company in 1999 with the clear objective of making the best possible Shiraz based wines from prized Shiraz producing regions within Australia. Michael Twelftree, initially from a construction background, spent a number of years exporting Australian Wine to the USA and Asia. Richard Mintz a chartered accountant, was formerly C.E.O. of one of Australia's leading Cooperage's in the Barossa Valley, South Australia.

With Twelftree�s contacts and wine savvy approach and Mintz�s management skills and business acumen, the two old friends decided to make some wine together. In 2000 they started with just 17 tonnes of fruit from the McLaren Vale and Padthaway wine regions. From the beginning the wines were very well received at home and abroad with a healthy stream of reviews culminating in 2004 with Robert M. Parker pronouncing Two Hands as �the finest negociant operation south of the equator�.

The heart of the operation is Barossa Valley based; the Cellar Door and Winery are located in the sub district of Marananga. Opened in December 2003 the Cellar Door has already come to be regarded as one of the highlights of the region with its contemporary interior design and commitment to providing guests with an educational and personal wine experience. The Marananga winery was officially opened in November 2004, designed specifically for small batch production of the very best parcels of fruit.

The Wines

2005 Ares Shiraz

Reviews

"A majestic wine that's tremendously aromatic and dense in texture, but amazingly refined. Delineates its ripe plum, blueberry and currant flavors with precision, shading the fruit with nuances of coffee and dark chocolate, hinting at smoke and licorice as the finish laps at the palate like the shore of a deep lake. Shiraz. Best from 2010 through 2020. 850 cases made." 98 points, Wine Spectator

2006 Bellas Garden Shiraz

Reviews

The wine is robust and rich with a balance that exemplifies the hallmarks of the finest Barossa vineyards. Firm and juicy, with tannins that are drying and mouth filling. The 2006 Bella�s Garden is a wine that will improve with medium to long term cellaring

Aphrodite Cabernet

The pick of the bunch from their McLaren Vale vineyards. Distinctive dark purple-black colour. Cascading blue fruits on the nose with hints of dark chocolate and subtle oak. A rich voluptuous palate with concentrated plum and dark berry fruit, supple fine tannins flow through to a long and persistent finish. The grapes were crushed into and fermented in open top potters, with regular pump overs twice daily to extract color and tannin. The grapes were then pressed and the wine was transferred to tank and then racked to barrel for oak maturation.

Reviews

2004 Aphrodite Cabernet

"Wine consumers often forget just how brilliant Barossa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon can be as the area is far more renowned for its old vine Shiraz and Grenache, but they should take a look at the 2004 Aphrodite, a 100% Cabernet Sauvignon aged in 100% new Taransaud barrels. This inky/blue/purple-hued, sexy Cabernet offers a glorious perfume of graphite, creme de cassis, smoke, and vanillin. Full-bodied and stunningly rich, with terrific purity, headiness, and laser-like definition as well as precision, this is a remarkable Cabernet Sauvignon that would turn heads even among Bordeaux first growths. It is a 30 year wine that should hit its peak in 4-5 years." 98 points, Wine Advocate.

2005 Aphrodite Cabernet

"The 2005 Cabernet Sauvignon �Aphrodite� presents a nose of toasty oak, smoke, pencil lead, black currants, and licorice. Full-bodied and layered, it is structured for extended cellaring. The tannins are present but well-concealed and there is more than ample fruit for balance. Give this big Cabernet 10-12 years in the cellar and drink it through 2035." 98 points, Wine Advocate

2004 Aerope Grenache

The grapes were crushed into and fermented in open top potters, with regular pump overs twice daily to extract color and tannin. The grapes were then pressed and the wine was transferred to tank and then racked to barrel for oak maturation.

Reviews

"The 2004 Aerope Grenache (90% Grenache and 10% Shiraz) is fashioned from the firm�s finest barrels. Although it boasts beautiful kirsch liqueur notes along with stunning elegance and richness, the day I tasted it, it was more closed and less expressive than some of its less expensive siblings. It didn�t even evolve as it sat in the glass, so I�m sure I saw it at a more diminished state." 90 points, The Wine Advocate.