The idea for Two Hands was born in September 1999 when founders Michael Twelftree and Richard Mintz sat at a friend’s engagement party and decided it was time to make their own wine and market it on the world stage. The original aim was, and still is, to make the best possible Shiraz-based wines from prized growing regions throughout Australia. With so much Australian wine being sold around the globe under multi-region labels in a formulaic style, the intention was to break the mould and showcase the diversity of Australian Shiraz by highlighting regional and vineyard characteristics by allowing the fruit to be the primary feature of the wines.

Winemaking

Ares represents the very best Shiraz parcels selected each vintage.Ares was the Greek God of War known for being a dangerous, untamed and violent force in battle – his sons Phobos (Fear) and Deimos (Terror) and his sister Enyo (Dischord) rode with him on his chariot into battle. Ares is the pinnacle of Two Hands’ Flagship collection and celebrates the most perfect expression of Shiraz they craft each vintage.

Tasting notes

Tasting Notes written by Two Hands Proprietor Michael Twelftree: “This year Ares is black on black in colour. The immediate bouquet throws you roasted meat, pain grillé, dried herbs, both blue and black berries, sage, warm earth and tea leaf. The palate is silky and soft. It caresses your tongue and then rolls straight to the late palate. This pull the magic act of being a big wine in a small wine’s body: It creeps up on you slowly and effortlessly, Man this is a seriously fun ride! It rolls and and rolls along and the tannins never really seem to dissolve or stop; pure silk is the best way to describe it. In the end you’re left searching for the acidity, fruit and tannins as they are all so welded together. Nothing sticks out in this wine, it’s Barossa Shiraz at it best. This wine has a very long life ahead of it and it will age effortlessly for 25 year plus. Sit back, pull the cork and enjoy the ride, you will not be disappointed.”