Two Hands Samantha's Garden Shiraz 2021

Region and Vineyards

Clare Valley, located north of Adelaide, is one of Australia’s most renowned cool-climate wine regions, celebrated for its elegant and refined Shiraz. The elevated vineyards (200-320m) provide a natural acidity that contributes to the wine’s freshness and finesse. The region’s diverse **soils—ranging from grey silty loam with sandstone to sandy loam over clay and slate—**enhance the wine’s complexity and structure.

The fruit for Samantha’s Garden comes from up to three distinct sub-regions, including Armagh and White Hut, each offering unique characteristics. The average annual rainfall of 480-550mm supports a balanced ripening process, allowing for slow flavor development. The combination of high elevation, cool temperatures, and varied soils creates a wine of purity, vibrant aromatics, and silky texture, making it a quintessential expression of Clare Valley Shiraz.

Winemaking

The hand-selected Shiraz grapes were crushed and fermented in five-tonne open-top fermenters, with twice-daily pump-overs to regulate fermentation temperature, ensuring optimal extraction of color, flavor, and tannins. The wine spent 10 days on skins, allowing for delicate yet concentrated flavor development.

Following fermentation, the free-run juice was drained to tank, while the pressings were combined for added depth. The wine then underwent malolactic fermentation in barrel to refine its texture before being aged for 18 months in French oak hogsheads (15% new, 2-6 years old for the remainder). The final bottling was done unfined and unfiltered, preserving its purity and authenticity. The result is a Shiraz of remarkable balance, silky tannins, and exceptional aging potential.

Tasting Notes

• Color: Deep, concentrated purple with black hues, indicating its intensity and depth.
• Aroma: A beautifully layered bouquet of rhubarb, dark cherries, warm bark, and glazed fruits, intertwined with blueberries, cedar, cracked pepper, and subtle incense.
• Palate: A poised and sophisticated entry leads to an even distribution of fruit across the palate. Bright and juicy at first, the flavors evolve into a drier, more structured mid-palate, with fine, delicate tannins creating a velvety finish. The hallmark Clare Valley characteristics of elegance, restraint, and freshness shine through, making this a seamless and refined expression of Shiraz.

Did You Know?

Clare Valley is often associated with Riesling, but its high-elevation Shiraz vineyards are among the most distinguished in Australia. Thanks to its cool climate and long growing season, Clare Valley Shiraz develops exceptional aromatic complexity, vibrant acidity, and finely textured tannins, setting it apart from the more powerful expressions of warmer regions like Barossa.

Wine Pairing Ideas

• Roast lamb with rosemary and garlic – The wine’s fine tannins and bright fruit complement the richness of the lamb while enhancing the herbal notes.
• Beef carpaccio with truffle oil and Parmesan – The wine’s elegance and freshness balance the dish’s umami richness.
• Grilled eggplant with miso glaze – The wine’s spice and fruit intensity complement the umami and caramelized depth of the dish.
• Aged Gruyère or Manchego – The delicate yet structured tannins pair beautifully with the nutty, firm texture of these cheeses.

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.