New Releases: 2021 Flagship Series
Jul 23, 2026
Today is International Shiraz Day, one of the most important dates in the Two Hands calendar.
Thursday, the 23rd of July, marks International Shiraz Day, a day dedicated to celebrating the grape variety that has become synonymous with Australian fine wine and sits at the heart of the Two Hands story. Held each year in the heart of winter, there is no better excuse to open a bold Shiraz, gather around the table with friends or family and enjoy a bottle that has been patiently waiting for the right moment.
To mark the occasion, we are delighted to release our 2021 Flagship Series. One of the finest Barossa vintages in recent memory. Headlined by Ares Shiraz, this release also includes Aphrodite Cabernet Sauvignon, Aerope Grenache, and a significant new chapter in our white wine story with the debut of Adrestia Chardonnay.
A Vintage Worth Celebrating
The 2021 vintage has already earned a reputation as one of the standout growing seasons of the decade.
Following a good winter rainfall, the vines entered spring with healthy soil moisture and enjoyed mild flowering conditions that produced balanced crops across the vineyards. A cool, dry growing season followed, with no prolonged heat events through ripening. These gentle conditions allowed the fruit to mature slowly and evenly, developing exceptional flavour intensity while retaining natural acidity and freshness.
For Barossa, 2021 is defined by purity, elegance and remarkable balance. Rather than sheer power, the wines display precision, vibrant fruit, fine tannins and outstanding longevity.
2021 ARES
Barossa Valley Shiraz
96 Points – Erin Larkin, Robert Parker Wine Advocate
"The 2021 Ares Shiraz is silty and dark, spicy and persistent. The palate is attractively mineral and layered with notes of graphite, sweet pouch tobacco, blackberry and licorice. The length is very good too. This is a lovely wine. The monstrously heavy bottle suggests a wine possessed of a bigger ego (i.e., more aggressively extracted, more oak, more fruit, more everything), yet this feels decidedly effortless and earthy. It is very good. 14.3% alcohol, sealed under Diam." Drink Date: 2026 - 2041
96 Points – Dave Brookes, Halliday Wine Companion
"Deep magenta/crimson with wonderfully pure aromas of damson plum, blackberry and black cherry fruits. Hints of baking spices, cedar, dark chocolate, roasting meats, violets, panforte, olive tapenade, espresso and earth. Classic Barossa fruit weight and flavours but more contemporary and of the times, with an increased detail, fine, powdery tannins and plenty of sustain and energy on the lingering finish. A super release of this wine from a very strong vintage." Published 17 February 2026
2021 APHRODITE
Barossa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon
96 Points – Erin Larkin, Robert Parker Wine Advocate
"The 2021 Aphrodite Cabernet Sauvignon hails from the benevolent 2021 season, and aromatically it leads with cassis, cocoa, pomegranate, shaved coconut and sweet roasted game. In the mouth, the wine shows some green aspects—though the final alcohol would not suggest this—and the tannins show a chewiness/tackiness that drives this point home. The wine is balanced, though, and it is powerful too. It feels as if it will age tremendously well. 14.6% alcohol, sealed under Diam." Drink Date: 2026 - 2041
2021 AEROPE
Barossa Valley Grenache
96 Points – Erin Larkin, Robert Parker Wine Advocate
"The 2021 Aerope Grenache is red-fruited on the nose, with an abundance of dried rose petals, kicked red earth and exotic spices (star anise, clove, cinnamon, etc). The tannins show real presence on the palate, though finely wrought and seamlessly integrated into the fruit. The palate shows impressive balance, making for overwhelmingly attractive drinking. This is a beautiful wine. 14.5% alcohol, sealed under Diam. The bottle/glass for the Aerope, Aphrodite and Ares cuvées are incredibly heavy—some of the heaviest glassware I am sent each year from across both Australia and New Zealand." Drink Date: 2026 - 2036
2021 ADRESTIA
Adelaide Hills Chardonnay
The 2021 release also marks an important evolution for one of our Flagship wines. Since 2012 Adrestia has been crafted as a Semillon/Sauvignon Blanc blend. Beginning with the 2021 vintage, Adrestia will be a Chardonnay.
The decision came after discovering an outstanding parcel of Adelaide Hills Chardonnay. The fruit displayed the concentration, natural acidity and complexity we were searching for in a flagship white wine, making the choice an easy one. That continued through 2022 and beyond, establishing Chardonnay as the future of Adrestia. We genuinely love this wine and sincerely hope you do too.
Tasting Notes
Colour
Light golden straw.
Aroma
Striking aromas of peach, lilies, pear and buttered popcorn.
Palate
The palate is beautifully balanced with a seamless energy that builds, revealing excellent depth. Flavours flow effortlessly across the mouth, rich and round. It has a smooth, full-bodied profile with a round, viscous mid-palate and a finish marked by phenolics that linger. Over time, the wine opens up, showcasing flavours of white peach, Greek yoghurt, apricot, rockmelon, dried apple, hazelnut and elderflower. The texture and mouthfeel become even more pronounced, while the mineral-driven finish adds another layer of complexity. This wine will continue to evolve with careful cellaring and rewards time in the glass, revealing greater depth and character with aeration. Perfect alongside grilled seafood, cured Kingfish or soft cheeses.
Winemaking
All free run juice and pressings were combined in barrel to complete fermentation. The wine underwent 100% malolactic fermentation followed by nine months of bâtonnage to build texture and complexity.
Maturation
Matured in two French oak hogsheads (50% new, lightly toasted) for nine months before bottling in February 2022.
The 2021 Flagship Series is now available online and at our Cellar Door.
