Two Hands Yacca Block 2016

Score:93

Joe Czerwinski (RobertParker.com)

Two Hands Wines have become a beacon for artisan, single vineyard Shiraz in Barossa Valley as well as other premier regions in South Australia. Winning admiration from leading critics around the globe such as Robert Parker, James Halliday and Jancis Robinson demonstrates that the wines are far from one-dimensional in their outstanding balance, structure and elegance. Further testament of this came in 2012 when the estate was named in Wine Spectator’s Top 100 for the 10th consecutive year.

Both from negociant fruit in McLaren Vale, The Lily’s Garden and Bella’s Garden Shiraz are single vineyards expression of Shiraz combining ripe black fruit wrapped in chocolate and smoky richness. Lily’s Garden is widely regarded as the more approachable of the two when young with Bella’s Garden having the staying power of a premium red Rhone, avoiding the often jammy character found in other examples from the region.

Taking things a notch higher is the Zippy’s Block 99% Shiraz from a prime Barossa single vineyard boasting immense power and intensity. The 2005 vintage was awarded an outstanding 99 points from critic Jay Miller with an estimated drinking window of 20-25 years. Also part of the estate holdings but managed separately is the Branson Coach House that was purchased in 2001. Here the deep clay soils aid the ripening of mostly Shiraz fruit grown in rare single vineyard sites. The Shiraz has rich fruit with spicy notes on the finish in a hedonistic yet controlled delivery.

Browse: Picture Series, Garden Series, Single Vineyard Series, Flagship Series or My Hands & Two World's.

Situated in South Australia, 60 kilometres northwest of Adelaide, lies the Barossa Valley which has been producing wine since 1842 and these days is recognised as Australia’s quintessential wine region. The hot climate mixed with the ironstone and sandstone soil in the valley, makes excellent growing conditions for grapes and in particular, Shiraz (or Syrah) which classically is full bodied with earthy and spicy notes. Over the last 15 years there has also been an increased interest in the other red Rhone varietals Grenache and Mourvedre. The non-irrigated old vineyards on the cooler west side of the valley are the most treasured and provide fruit for Australia’s most famous wine, Penfolds Grange among many other top-quality bottlings.