Two Hands Lily's Garden Shiraz 2021

Region and Vineyards

McLaren Vale is one of Australia’s most renowned Shiraz-producing regions, shaped by its proximity to the ocean and diverse soils. The vineyards selected for Lily’s Garden span Blewitt Springs, Clarendon, McLaren Flat, McLaren Vale, Seaview, Tatachilla, and Willunga Hills, offering a multi-dimensional expression of terroir.

The soils, predominantly maritime and sedimentary sand-based, contribute to lifted aromatics and a supple texture. Vineyards sit at elevations between 75 and 320 meters, benefiting from a longer ripening season. The region receives between 500 and 700mm of rainfall annually, ensuring vine health and maintaining natural acidity.

Winemaking

Fermentation took place in open-top fermenters, with twice-daily pump-overs to ensure balanced extraction of color, tannin, and flavor.

After ten days on skins, the free-run juice was drained and combined with the pressings before aging in French oak hogsheads for 18 months. Only 15% new oak was used, with the remainder in one- to six-year-old barrels, allowing oak influence to complement rather than dominate the fruit. The wine was bottled unfined and unfiltered to preserve purity.

Tasting Notes

• Color: Deep purple, rich and concentrated.
• Aroma: Mocha, coffee, dried fig, aniseed, fresh plum, smoke, and liquorice, layered with floral and spice notes.
• Palate: Thick and concentrated, with dark fruits coating the mouth. Bright acidity emerges, leading to a structured, mineral-driven finish. The transition from richness to a drying tannic grip is a hallmark of McLaren Vale Shiraz, giving this wine both power and finesse.

Did you know?

Lily’s Garden is part of the Garden Series, a collection that explores the impact of terroir on Australian Shiraz. The blue label represents McLaren Vale’s coastal influence, reinforcing the cooling effect of the ocean on the vineyards.

Wine Pairing Ideas

• Beef Wellington – The structure of the Shiraz complements the richness of the filet mignon and flaky pastry.
• Braised Lamb Shanks with Rosemary and Garlic – The wine’s tannins balance the succulence of slow-cooked lamb, while its spice mirrors the dish’s herbal notes.
• Duck Breast with Black Cherry Sauce – The fruit-forward character of the wine enhances the sweet-savory interplay of the dish.
• Aged Gruyère or Beaufort – The wine’s dark fruit and spice contrast beautifully with the cheese’s nutty depth.

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.