2022 Max's Garden Shiraz - Two Hands Wines

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2023 Max's Garden Heathcote Shiraz

Name: 2023 Max's Garden Heathcote Shiraz
Brand: Two Hands Wines
Price: 70.0 AUD
Availability: InStock

Sale price $70.00

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Two Hands Max’s Garden Shiraz is a distinctive Heathcote Shiraz, made from a selection of premium barrels that showcase the region’s rich soils, lifted spice and earthy savoury character. Sitting proudly within the Garden Series, Max’s Garden brings another layer of regional expression to the collection, offering depth, texture and elegance in equal measure.

This wine is defined by its rich, earthy profile, well-delineated fruit and soft, elegant framework. Grown on the famed orange Cambrian soils of Heathcote, thought to be among the oldest soils in the world, the vineyard naturally contributes a mineral, iron-filing savoury feel to the tannins and a distinctive sense of place.

In the glass, Max’s Garden offers dark fruits, spice, earth, mineral detail and fine savoury structure. The label’s colour is inspired by the ancient orange soils beneath the vines, reflecting the distinctive landscape behind this expressive, beautifully balanced Heathcote Shiraz from Two Hands Wines.

Tasting Notes

COLOUR: Rich red with a deep crimson hue

AROMA: Aromas burst from the glass, with soy, glazed berries, dried herbs, blackberry, blueberry, cracked pepper, dark plum and earthy undertones, lifted by subtle hints of fresh game and spice.

PALATE: On entry, the wine is medium-bodied and beautifully primary, with bright blue-fruited notes leading the way. Blackberry, blueberry and dark plum sit at the core, while delicate floral tones and savoury spice linger in the background. The palate builds with quiet confidence, shaped by taut acidity that brings freshness, lift and a cleansing line through the wine. The tannins carry a distinctive iron-like savoury edge, adding depth and a clear sense of Heathcote character. At this youthful stage, the wine feels tightly coiled and compressed, with secondary notes of red liquorice, frankincense and nougat beginning to emerge. The texture is the standout, unfurling slowly with elegance and restraint, leaving behind fine tannins and a gentle thread of acidity. The 2023 Max’s Garden is sophisticated, mineral and finely structured, with the balance and framework for a long evolution in the cellar.

The Growing Season

The 2023 vintage in Heathcote was shaped by unusually cool and wet spring conditions, followed by a mild growing season that resulted in lower yields and a more restrained expression of the region's renowned Shiraz. Persistent rainfall and cooler temperatures throughout September and October disrupted flowering and fruit set, leading to smaller bunches and reduced yields across many vineyards. Despite these challenges, the extended growing season allowed fruit to develop excellent flavour intensity and concentration. Temperatures cooled considerably during early March, limiting the late-season ripening typically experienced in Heathcote. Shiraz harvest commenced in March, with fruit displaying relatively low sugar levels but excellent flavour development and impressive colour intensity. The resulting Shiraz has vibrant dark berry fruits, subtle spice and rich colour, supported by fresh acidity and balanced tannins.

Vinification

WINEMAKING | Fermented in a five tonne open top fermenter, with regular pump overs (twice daily over entire ferment) to control ferment, extract colour, flavour and tannins.

Average time ‘on skins’ was 10 days before the fermented juice was drained to tank and the pressings combined. The wine was then racked to barrel, where malolactic fermentation took place.
Max’s Garden was bottled unfined and unfiltered.

MATURATION | Aged for 16 months in 2-4 year old French oak hogsheads, with up to 20% new French oak.

Technical Information

Scores & Reviews

Halliday Wine Companion
94 points
Jeni Port

"Signature Heathcote intensity on show – from the deep, dark purple hues to the wine's equally dark-fruited concentration and poise. It's a meeting of ripe fruit power, aromatic prettiness and a natural, mineral earthiness courtesy of ancient Cambrian soils. Blue fruits, plum, blackberry, gentle toasty oak and peppery spice, anise and chocolate ride long on svelte but juicy tannins. From a cool vintage; a wonderful, elegant wine emerges, lingering long." Published 25 May 2026