Two Hands Dave’s Block Shiraz 2019

There is something which no one could possibly miss with this series of Single Vineyard Shiraz from Two Hands. These are some of the heaviest bottles I have ever encountered. Surely made of lead – workplace Health and Safety, get on board! On the other hand, the deep punt and the slightly old-fashioned yet fashionable labels make these a most attractively presented range of wines. 

The wines come from various districts across South Australia, and given that they are the same vintage, same grape with the same winemaking team in charge, they are a great way to look at six different terroirs. 

First cab off the rank (actually, first shiraz but you know what I mean) is Dave’s Block from an elevated site with a north-west aspect in the Blewitt Springs corner of McLaren Vale. The vines are 51 years of age, in rows with an east-west orientation. The soils are deep bleached white sand overlying mottled orange clay. The advantage here is that the grapes mature very slowly, allowing flavours to build and providing spicy aromatics and textured tannins. 

Purples and crimsons, this is soft and plush and generous. Spices, even a hint of white pepper. Chocolate, red fruits, pepperberries. There is not great intensity on the finish but it is very long and has silky, slightly furry tannins so good structure and years to go. Sweet milk chocolate on the finish too. Quite delicious.