Two Hands Charlie's Garden Shiraz 2021

Region and Vineyards

Located in South Australia’s Eden Valley, a sub-region of the famed Barossa, this vineyard benefits from a cool-climate environment that shapes the wine’s elegance and structure. Eden Valley sits at a higher altitude than the Barossa Valley, allowing for a longer growing season, lower temperatures, and higher natural acidity. These conditions contribute to the region’s distinctive Shiraz style, marked by precision and finesse.

Charlie's Garden vineyard is planted on Menglers Hill, one of the highest points in Eden Valley, reaching 800 meters above sea level. This elevation creates a significant diurnal temperature variation, slowing the ripening process and enhancing aromatic complexity. The soils are a mixture of quartz, gravelly loam over clay, providing excellent drainage while contributing to the wine’s mineral character. With an annual rainfall of approximately 800 mm, the vines receive sufficient hydration to maintain a balanced fruit profile, ensuring both structure and freshness.

Winemaking

This 100% Shiraz is crafted from hand-harvested fruit, selected from small parcels to capture the finest expression of Eden Valley’s terroir. Fermentation took place in open-top fermenters, allowing for gentle extraction and full aromatic development. Pump-overs were performed twice daily to distribute color, tannins, and flavor, achieving a balance between structure and elegance. After ten days of maceration, the free-run juice was separated and blended with the press fractions before being transferred to oak.

Aging occurred over 18 months in French oak, with 15% new barrels and the remainder in older oak ranging from one to six years. This ensured a subtle integration of oak, enhancing complexity while preserving fruit purity. The wine underwent malolactic fermentation in barrel, further refining its texture. To maintain the authentic expression of the vineyard, it was bottled without fining or filtration, allowing for maximum depth and character.

Tasting Notes

• Color: Deep purple with brilliant ruby highlights, indicating concentration and vibrancy.
• Aroma: Intense and layered, featuring notes of cola, cassis, dried spices, nutmeg, mocha, and floral freshness, with underlying hints of warm oil and earth.
• Palate: A refined yet powerful structure, with rich dark fruit flavors of blackberry and plum, supported by vibrant acidity and velvety tannins. The finish is long and chiselled, marked by mineral complexity and a subtle touch of spice.

Did you know?

Charlie’s Garden is part of Two Hands Wines’ Garden Series, a collection designed to highlight the diversity of Shiraz terroirs across Australia. The vineyard’s name is a tribute to the Mengler family, German settlers who contributed to the development of Eden Valley’s viticulture. The surrounding biodiversity, integral to the vineyard’s identity, is depicted on the wine’s label, emphasizing the deep connection between nature and winemaking.

Wine Pairing Ideas

• Beef Wellington – The wine’s structured tannins and dark fruit flavors complement the rich pastry and tender fillet beautifully.
• Duck à l’Orange – The lively acidity and subtle spice contrast harmoniously with the sweet citrus glaze of the dish.
• Lamb shank with rosemary and garlic – The earthy, herbal notes in the dish are enhanced by the wine’s savory depth and complexity.
• Aged Comté cheese – The wine’s intensity and spice provide a wonderful contrast to the cheese’s nutty and umami-rich profile.

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.