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

Buy this wine online

Lengs & Cooter, “The Victorâ€Â?, Shiraz, South Australia 2003 ($15) – Dark garnet, almost black, in color with pronounced plum, blackberry and vanilla aromas; jammy blackberry fruit with black pepper flavors and moderate tannins. The 14.5% alcohol is balanced by the intense fruit at this point and it will be interesting to watch this one develop in the bottle over the next 4 or 5 years. Score: 8.5/10