We are thrilled to have again received high praise from the 2023 edition of the Halliday Wine Companion. It is a testament to the quality of our wines and the whole team who produce them that we have received very high praise each time from every critic.
GARDEN SERIES
2020 Bella’s Garden, Barossa Valley Shiraz – 94 points
“Two Hands’ Garden Series sees them embark on a regional road-trip around 5 famous Australian wine regions before they settle back to their home turf of the Barossa Valley with the Bella’s Garden. Like their McLaren Vale release it’s a ‘best of’ the famous subregions, with many familiar names. Fragrant, plush and supple with a distinct contemporary feel, it’s an excellent example of a modern Barossa style that will please many drinkers.”
2020 Charlie’s Garden, Eden Valley Shiraz – 94 points
“The Garden Series provides a deep dive into regionality in Australia and the Charlie’s Garden, way up on Mengler’s Hill, has always been a firm favourite. Red and dark berry fruits are set against a spicy frame that is flecked with violets and purple floral facets. There’s a keen sense of space and savoury sway here, with a lovely Eden Valley acidity and cadence driving the fruit forwards.”
2020 Samantha’s Garden, Clare Valley Shiraz – 94 points
“The Samantha’s Garden represents a snapshot of Clare Valley shiraz in the regional context of their Garden Series of wines. It’s a pretty-smelling little thing. Blackberry and satsuma plum fruit for sure, but there’s a violet sheen to its aromas and a meaty facet that draws the drinker in. The fruit weight is impressive, as is the wine’s detail and tannin profile, muscling up on the finish with compact tannin heft.”
2020 Max’s Garden, Heathcote Shiraz – 93 points
“There is a deeply resonant, slightly wild-eyed, ferrous edge to the wines of Heathcote. It’s that Cambrian soil thing, you know? That character is certainly on display here, along a gorgeous plume of deep blackberry and black cherry fruit. Weighty yet slippery and flighty at first, before settling on the mid palate, all licorice and dark-chocolate comfort. Compact tannin provides ample support here.”
2020 Lily’s Garden, McLaren Vale Shiraz – 93 points
“Two Hands’ regional take from McLaren Vale comes from a patchwork of vineyard sources: Blewitt Springs, Clarendon, McLaren Flat, McLaren Vale, Seaview, Tatachilla and Willunga Hills. Phew! A saturated red-purple hue. The wine shows violet-flecked black plum and cherry fruits cut with exotic spice. Opulent and concentrated with chalky tannins and a contemporary feel.”
2020 Harriet’s Garden, Adelaide Hills Shiraz – 93 points
“Two Hands were highlighting regionality early on in the piece with their Garden Series; their success in overseas markets, most noticeably the U.S., exposed many overseas wine drinkers to the nuance of Australian wine regions. Here it’s shiraz from Hope Forest in the Adelaide Hills; bright and detailed, plush with plum and red fruits, laden with cool-climate spice and fine and long on the finish.”
PICTURE SERIES
2021 Gnarly Dudes, Barossa Valley Shiraz – 92 points
“The name here pays homage to gnarled bush vines of the Barossa, famous across the globe. Deep saturated red-purple hue, there is a distinct ginger-spice aspect to the plush black plum and black cherry fruit on display here. There is an array of spice too, with hints of dark chocolate and a plume of mulberry lift. Great fruit concentration, fine ripe tannin and a tight acid line drives things along nicely.”
2021 Angels’ Share, McLaren Vale Shiraz – 92 points
“Deep, saturated red-purple hue with aromas of black plum and cherry fruits, cut through with hints of blackstrap licorice, violets, blackforest cake, dark chocolate and oak spice. Sweetly fruited on the palate with deep blackberry and plum fruits tinged with warm earth, fruitcake spice and Old Jamaica chocolate. Impressive fruit density, tight sandy tannin and bright acid drive.”
2021 Brave Faces, Barossa Valley GMS – 92 points
“An enticingly perfumed Rhône-style red blend that rings true to the Two Hands leitmotif of fragrant, sweet-fruited exuberance. The fruit spectrum is awash with red plums and crunchy cranberry with some mulberry lift. There’s a riot of souk-like spice, gingerbread, a whiff of frangipani and an underlying garrigue-scented rumble of mourvèdre. Juicy, bouncy and exotic drinking.”
