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MAX'S GARDEN

Heathcote Shiraz

Max’s Garden exhibits a rich, earthy texture with lifted spice and a well-delineated fruit profile. This is a wine with a soft elegant framework that complements the Garden Series for its distinctiveness.

Max’s is one if the original Garden Series wines, joining the Two Hands portfolio in 2003. We have produced Max every vintage since its inception, from the same growers property in Colbinabbin.

Located to the north of the Great Dividing Range in Victoria, the Heathcote region is at elevations between 160m and 380m. The majority of soil under vine is Cambrian – red and deep with excellent water retention. These calcium-rich red soils are made up of weathered “greenstone” and are prized for their water retention capabilities. While they drain freely, enough water is held in the soil to feed the vine throughout the growing season, and there is rarely need for irrigation in Heathcote. The region’s rainfall is evenly distributed between the seasons and the climate is temperate, with cooling winds blowing from the south. Small, concentrated grapes are the result, and they make rich, concentrated wines. The soils are also notable because they impart deep intrinsic characters – almost a sense of place or terroir – to the wines.

The unique terroir of the Heathcote wine region plays a vital role to Max’s distinct style in comparison to the 5 other Shiraz’s in our Garden Series. Heathcote Shiraz wines are defined by their inky depth of colour, and deep, dark, complex fruit. Voluptuous and well balanced, acid and tannin meld together in a way that does not dominate the fruit, but gives the wine great cellaring ability.

Those orange Cambrian soils on which the vineyard is based, are the inspiration for this label’s colour.

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The Region & Vineyard

SOIL | Cambrian soil and red earth over clay, rock and bluestone

VINE AGE | 21 years

ELEVATION | 400m

AVERAGE RAINFALL | 510mm

SUB-DISTRICTREGION

VINIFICATION | Fermented in a five tonne open top fermenter, with regular pump overs (2 times daily over entire ferment) to control ferment, extract colour, flavour and tannins

Average time ‘on skins’ was 10 days before the dry free run 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 up to 25% new French oak, remainder in 1-4 year old French oak hogsheads

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Scores & Reviews

“Not backward in coming forward. Heathcote shiraz goes big and bold but achieves a balance of alcohol, fruit and oak with gymnastic flair. Hard to fault really, from the deep, dark colour to the regional signature aromas of black fruits, high spice, Aussie bush and mineral earthiness. Tannins are lithe and supple. Oak is nicely placed. Ripe fruit shines. What's not to like?”
- Jeni Port, Halliday Wine Companion - 94 points

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Our Museum Wines

Our wines at Two Hands are crafted to last. There is nothing quite like the appreciation of opening a treasured gem that has been ageing gracefully in your cellar and savouring the development of the aromas and palate over the months and years.

We make the effort each vintage to carefully store a small quantity of each wine we produce. Opening an aged bottle of wine to celebrate your anniversary, birthday or special day makes for a truly memorable experience. Whether you are searching for a particular rare back vintage or large format bottle, learn more now using the button below.

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The Garden Series

Discover the art of sourcing Shiraz from six distinct wine-producing regions, each with its own unique terroir and character.
Follow the below links to discover more about the individual Garden Series wines.

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