Two Hands Lily's Garden Shiraz, McLaren Vale
Michael Twelftree’s process-driven style of winemaking has successfully demonstrated regionality within Australian Shiraz for many years with the Garden Series. Carefully selected fruit from mainly Blewitt Springs and McLaren Flat in McLaren Vale, minimal fining and filtration and the use of French and American oak has produced a wine of richness and density that can be cellared for over a decade.
The 2006 Shiraz Lily’s Garden comes from McLaren Vale. It reveals a complex aromatic array including balsam wood, spice box, violets, earth notes, pepper, blueberry, and blackberry. Layered and rich, it conceals enough ripe tannin to evolve for another 2-3 years. It has outstanding grip, depth, and a lengthy, pure finish. Drink it from 2011 to 2022. Two Hands is a negociant operation run impeccably by Michael Twelftree. It reflects the best that can be sourced from all over South Australia. The packaging provides some serious design competition to the Dan Philips R Wine portfolio. The Garden Series is Shiraz sourced from a wide range of South Australia vineyards and line-priced at $60.
92 Points, Jay Miller, Wine Advocate
Inky ruby. Ripe blackberry and boysenberry aromas are youthfully brooding and slightly smoky, opening reluctantly to display fruitcake, baking spices and dried flowers. Deep and chewy, with sappy dark berry flavors and slow-building spiciness. Really fills the mouth, but this isn't exactly heavy, or too sweet. Definitely give this densely packed shiraz some age.
92+ points, Josh Raynolds, Vinous (July 2008)
Shows some subtlety, sliding its juicy blackberry and plum fruit through a veil of fine-grained tannins, with pepper and mineral overtones. Has a deft sense of harmony and balance.
93 points, Harvey Steiman, Wine Spectator (June 2008)
It tastes of chocolate, juicy blackberries, sweet port and red berries. Its tannins are very fine but very long. Its aftertaste is a flood of fruit and (chocolaty, coconutty) oak sweetness and it’s lively and fresh throughout. It’s a very good example of its style.
94 points, Campbell Mattinson (September 2008)