2005 Two Hands - Shiraz Bella's Garden Syrah - Australia - South Australia - Barossa Valley - Red

($60) Opaque inky ruby. Powerful blue and black fruit aromas are complicated by pungent floral tones and cracked pepper. Resinous dark berry and plum flavors possess admirable depth and sweetness, with youthfully firm tannins adding support. Gains brightness with air, taking on raspberry and exotic orange zest qualities. Finishes with a lively berry skin flavor and outstanding persistence.

The 2005 Shiraz "Bella's Garden" was sourced from Barossa Valley. Opaque purple in color, it offers a reticent perfume of pencil lead, blueberry, and blackberry. Supple, ripe, and with all components in harmony, this medium-bodied Shiraz has uplifting acidity, excellent depth, and a lengthy finish. It will evolve for 3-5 years and drink well through 2020.

(#5 on <i>Wine Spectator's</i> Top 100 of 2007) Two Hands partners Richard Mintz and Michael Twelftree have excelled with their Garden Series, six regional Shiraz bottlings made with purchased grapes. Bella's Garden, from Barossa, is often the best of them. Shiraz for the 2005 Bella's came from nine sites, picked relatively early to preserve freshness and acidity. To better highlight the terroir, the wine receives only 20 percent new French oak, significantly less than most top-tier Barossa Shiraz bottlings. <br><br/> Rich and complex, this is layered with green olive, mint, mineral and licorice around a plump core of black cherry and dark plum flavors, which linger on the intense and beautifully focused finish. 3,383 cases made.

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