Two Hands Ares Shiraz 2019

Region and Vineyards

Two Hands Ares Shiraz 2019 hails from the Barossa Valley, one of the world’s most esteemed wine regions for Shiraz. Known for its warm Mediterranean climate, Barossa provides ideal conditions for full-bodied, intensely flavored wines. The combination of hot days and cool nights ensures optimal ripeness while preserving freshness and acidity, resulting in wines that balance richness with structure.

The fruit for Ares is sourced from low-yielding vineyards across the Barossa Valley, where old vines, deep red clay loam, and ironstone soils contribute to the wine’s bold structure and layered complexity. Many of these vines, aged 30 to 100 years, naturally produce low-yielding, highly concentrated fruit, which is essential for crafting a wine of this caliber.

Winemaking

Each vintage, every barrel of Two Hands Shiraz is carefully tasted and classified. Only the top A+ rated barrels are selected to create Ares, ensuring that the final blend represents the absolute best of the estate’s production.

The wine undergoes fermentation in open-top fermenters, followed by extended maceration to extract deep color and tannin structure. It is then matured for 20 months in a combination of new and one-year-old French oak barrels, allowing for seamless integration of oak influence while preserving the purity of fruit. This meticulous selection and aging process result in a wine of exceptional depth, elegance, and longevity.

Tasting Notes

• Color: Deep, impenetrable black with a vibrant purple rim.
• Aroma: Layers of dark chocolate, cassis, liquorice, dried herbs, smoke, cedar, clove, mocha, and condensed plum jelly emerge gradually from the glass.
• Palate: A powerful, full-bodied wine with dense, layered fruit. Blackberry, blueberry, and dark plum unfold in waves, supported by fine, silky tannins. Despite its intensity, the wine retains remarkable energy and freshness, leading to a long, lingering finish that is unmistakably Barossa Shiraz.

Did You Know?

The name Ares is inspired by the Greek god of war, symbolizing strength, power, and determination—qualities that define this wine. The strict barrel selection process ensures that only the most exceptional Shiraz from each vintage is used, making Ares one of the most meticulously crafted Shiraz wines in Australia.

Wine Pairing Ideas

• Wagyu Ribeye Steak – The rich marbling and umami depth of Wagyu complement the wine’s bold structure and firm tannins.
• Slow-Braised Beef Cheeks – The silky, slow-cooked texture harmonizes with the wine’s density and long finish.
• Lamb Tagine with Moroccan Spices – The sweet and savory spice notes highlight the wine’s complex layers of mocha, clove, and dark fruit.
• Aged Comté or Vintage Cheddar – The nutty, savory flavors provide a perfect contrast to the wine’s deep fruit concentration.

History of Two Hands Wines

The story of Two Hands began in 1999, when Michael Twelftree and Richard Mintz set out with a clear vision: to produce the best possible Shiraz from different regions of Australia. Their approach differed from the traditional model, as they sought to highlight regional differences rather than blending fruit from multiple areas.

The first vintage in 2000 consisted of just 17 tons of fruit, sourced from McLaren Vale and Padthaway, with an initial investment of $30,000. Early success quickly propelled the winery forward, leading to the launch of the full Garden Series by 2003.

In 2004, Two Hands built its own winery in Marananga, Barossa Valley, allowing them to maintain complete control over the winemaking process while continuing to produce wines in small, carefully handled batches.

Over the years, Two Hands has received global acclaim, earning a place in Wine Spectator’s annual Top 100 for ten consecutive years—a rare achievement for an Australian winery. Today, they remain committed to crafting expressive, terroir-driven Shiraz that showcases the unique characteristics of Australia’s greatest wine regions.

Region and Vineyards

Two Hands Wines follows a regional-first philosophy, sourcing grapes from six of Australia’s premier Shiraz-growing regions:

• Barossa Valley – Known for rich, opulent Shiraz with dark fruit intensity.
• McLaren Vale – Produces bold yet elegant Shiraz with fine tannins and coastal influence.
• Clare Valley – Offers a more restrained, high-altitude style with natural acidity.
• Langhorne Creek – Known for supple, approachable Shiraz with soft tannins.
• Padthaway – Produces vibrant, fruit-driven Shiraz with excellent balance.
• Heathcote – A cool-climate region producing structured Shiraz with great depth.

The winery does not own vineyards, instead working closely with dedicated growers to ensure that each vineyard’s unique terroir is preserved in the final wine. All grapes are handled identically in the winery, allowing the regional differences to shine through in the finished wines.

Wine Range of Two Hands Wines

Two Hands produces a diverse portfolio of wines, structured into distinct ranges:

• Garden Series – The flagship range, featuring single-region Shiraz from Australia’s top terroirs, each named after a family member (e.g., Bella’s Garden – Barossa Valley, Lily’s Garden – McLaren Vale).
• Single Vineyard Series – Exclusive wines that showcase the unique identity of individual vineyard sites, such as Yacca Block (Eden Valley) and Waterfall Block (Adelaide Hills).
• Picture Series – A collection of expressive, regionally blended wines, known for vibrant fruit and playful labels, including Gnarly Dudes (Barossa Shiraz) and Angel’s Share (McLaren Vale Shiraz).
• Flagship Series – The pinnacle of Two Hands winemaking, featuring limited-production wines made from the best barrels of the vintage, such as Ares Shiraz and My Hands Shiraz.

Did You Know?

Two Hands Wines was named "Winery of the Year" by Robert Parker’s The Wine Advocate in 2012, solidifying its place among Australia’s most prestigious producers. The winery’s unique barrel classification system ensures that only the top 3% of barrels are selected for the highest-tier wines.