Two Hands BELLA'S GARDEN Shiraz Barossa Valley South Australia

The 'two hands' are Michael Twelftree and Richard Mintz who formed the company in 1999 with the clear objective of making the best possible Shiraz based wines from prized Shiraz producing regions within Australia. Michael Twelftree, initially from a construction background, spent a number of years exporting Australian Wine to the USA and Asia. Richard Mintz a chartered accountant, was formerly C.E.O. of one of Australia's leading Cooperage's in the Barossa Valley, South Australia. With Twelftree's contacts and wine savvy approach and Mintz's management skills and business acumen, the two old friends decided to make some wine together. In 2000 they started with just 17 tonnes of fruit from the McLaren Vale and Padthaway wine regions. From the beginning the wines were very well received at home and abroad with a healthy stream of reviews culminating in 2004 with Robert M. Parker pronouncing Two Hands as 'the finest negociant operation south of the equator'. Deep black core with an intense purple rim this wine has a nose showing intense blackberries and plum with a cedar dark chocolate edge. A seamless full bodied palate showing a complex kaleidoscope of black fruits that are not intrusive but mingle harmoniously with the subtleties of the oak. This wine possesses elegance and fruit purity while the tannins are evident but well balanced producing a 'silk pillow' mouth feel that is long and persistent. (12 x 75 cl)

The 'two hands' are Michael Twelftree and Richard Mintz who formed the company in 1999 with the clear objective of making the best possible Shiraz based wines from prized Shiraz producing regions within Australia. Michael Twelftree, initially from a construction background, spent a number of years exporting Australian Wine to the USA and Asia. Richard Mintz a chartered accountant, was formerly C.E.O. of one of Australia's leading Cooperage's in the Barossa Valley, South Australia. With Twelftree's contacts and wine savvy approach and Mintz's management skills and business acumen, the two old friends decided to make some wine together. In 2000 they started with just 17 tonnes of fruit from the McLaren Vale and Padthaway wine regions. From the beginning the wines were very well received at home and abroad with a healthy stream of reviews culminating in 2004 with Robert M. Parker pronouncing Two Hands as 'the finest negociant operation south of the equator'. 100% Shiraz sourced from the Barossa Valley has produced a bright lively purple plum coloured wine. The nose has vibrant lifted aromas of violet and red fruits with a hint of supportive oak, while the palate is full bodied and delivers a rush of gorgeous succulent fruit with soft round tannins. This red wine is a meld of red fruits with a hint of black pepper and liquorice, leaving you with a finish that's beautifully balanced and vibrant. (12 x 75 cl)

With a Groucho Marx label the wine has a black, ink jet colour with a slight cherry red flicker. The bouquet is all baking spice, cloves, mints, herb garden, plums, cedar and rhubarb with flour bag, cola and rose oil. The Palate is grippy, bright with an array of cherries, Full-bodied, with superb concentration, good delineation, and a rich, layered mid palate. The wine has a great punch of initial fruit that is backed by a burst of acid in the mid palate that drives the fruit to a long finish backed by fine tannins. This is a real finesse wine that shows the potential of Australian wines with more careful oak selections. (12 x 75 cl)

Two Hands GNARLY DUDES Shiraz Barossa Valley South Australia from Australia, South Australia, Barossa Valley by Two Hands Winery Marananga SA (12 x 75 cl)

70% Syrah and 30% Grenache Brave Faces is light and bright brilliant red in the glass and with an inviting bouquet dominated by the Grenache, it has lovely whiffs of burnt cola, leather, fresh cut cloves, baking spice and a meaty note all backed by some quality French oak. The palate is in a moderate power band with excellent structure and underlying integrity, the palate is long and well rounded with red fruit flavours of black cherries, rhubarb, earth and raspberries, with a touch of minty menthol. (12 x 75 cl)

Barossa Valley Estate was established in 1985 by a group of Barossa Valley grape growers who saw an opportunity to add value to their harvest. Since its inception, Barossa Valley Estate has gone from strength to strength. Today the portfolio of wines comprises E&E, Ebenezer and Moculta. Each of these ranges is unique and made to a particular style. Barossa Valley Estate really does have the 'Pick of Barossa', with fruit supplied from most sections of the Valley by about 80 loyal growers. This breadth of selection gives Barossa Valley Estate a unique advantage in that the winery can produce a wide selection of premium varieties which are 100 per cent Barossa. Vibrant deep red in colour, this wine has a complex aroma, bold red plum, black currant and chocolate characters with overtones of vanillin oak. Soft, opulent mouth filling flavours of dark plum, cassis and mulberry fruit create an alluring wine of great depth and intensity. Limited Availability. (6 x 75 cl)

Colour: Deep red with magenta hues. Bouquet: The bouquet displays dark plum fruit with hints of nutmeg. Palate: Soft, opulent mouth filling flavours, plum and blackcurrant fruit with ripe tannins create an alluring wine of great depth and intensity. Cellaring Potential: This powerful Barossa wine will Matured in 80% American and 20% French oakcontinue to develop and mature in the bottle over the next 10-15 years. (6 x 75 cl)

Barossa Valley Estates E & E BLACK PEPPER Shiraz Barossa Valley South Australia from Australia, South Australia, Barossa Valley by Barossa Valley Estate Powerful Reds (6 x 75 cl)

WINEMAKERS' COMMENTS: COLOUR: Deep ruby red with purple hues. NOSE: Black currants, plums, cherries, with cinnamon, aniseed, all spice, leather and mocha, balanced beautifully by savoury vanillin oak. PALATE: Full bodied with concentrated flavours of black cherries, plums and blueberries. Fresh and vibrant with peppery spice and earthy characters. It exhibits a silky texture with fine savoury tannins and a persistent length.