I tasted this wine at San Francisco’s Vino Venue while tuning up for my barrel tasting the next morning at Pax Cellars. I’d heard of Two Hands Wines, and their reputation for fine Shiraz, but this was my first taste of their wine.
Two Hands is a single-minded effort to produce the best Shiraz made in Australia. Since starting only seven years ago, this winery has made some of the most celebrated Shiraz in the world and, if this tasting is any indication, their reputation is very well earned.
Two Hands Wines, “Gnarly Dudes” Shiraz, Barossa Valley 2005 ($30) – Dark purple in color with aromas of blackberry, plum, licorice and spice. In the mouth, concentrated blackberry, pepper and spice flavors finish long with a silky mouthfeel. Delicious.
14.8% ABV
Stelvin closure
Score: 93
Welcome to Two Hands, Timmy!
Scott & I had their For Love or Money, “cane-cut” late harvest Semillon on Saturday with some Rogue River Blue Cheese. Unbelievable wine. If you’ve ever enjoyed Sauternes before, this is a phenomenal Aussie version.
I got the chance to have half of Two Hands’ “Gardens” last month; Lily’s Garden-McLaren vale, Bella’s Garden-Barossa, Samantha’s Garden-Clare Valley. These all run around $55-60. In a nutshell,
the Lily’s was the most “oaked” of the bunch. Very perfumed with loads of vanilla. C+/B-
the Bella’s was the most complex & balanced. Crisp/Medium bodied with graphite/pencil lead & spice on the finish. B-
the Sophie’s was the sluttiest. Violets, bacon fat, Dark purple fruit with lush, dense flavors. B-/B
Thanks for posting here again, Stevo. I’m definately going to try some others from Two Hands in the near future. That “slutty” one sounds like something I’d like 😉
Far and away the best of their wines, is Angel’s Share (2004). Big, bold, peppery with a silky smooth feel, and lasting finish. Ranks well in my top ten favourites of all time.
Gnarly dude is very awsome wine, very intense and concentrated…plum and licorice are dominant on the tip of my nose…on the palate was very elegant and mouth filling…yummmm…sexy wine