Two Hands : Coach House Block Shiraz 2022

Characteristics and tasting notes of the Coach House Block Shiraz 2022 by Two Hands

Tasting

Color
The color reveals a dense, deep black, edged with red hues around the rim.

Nose
The bouquet is particularly intense and complex. It exudes aromas of blackcurrant, prune, raisins and spice cake, subtly complemented by notes of tobacco, blueberry, iodine and wakame.

Palate
Full-bodied and concentrated, the palate offers a remarkable balance between power and restraint. The mid-palate unfolds flavors of ripe red and black fruits, spiced plum, nutmeg, clove and cocoa powder. This is supported by a firm, noble and lingering tannic structure. The long, complex finish stretches on with notes of balm, sweet spices and milk chocolate, all carried by lovely acidity.

Food and wine pairing

This wine pairs beautifully with hearty meats such as roasted or grilled beef, served rare or accompanied by a pepper sauce. It also enhances barbecued meats, such as pork ribs, spicy sausages or smoked brisket, as well as umami-rich dishes based on mushrooms or aged cheeses.

Service and storage

To fully appreciate this Coach House Block Shiraz 2022, it is recommended to serve it at a temperature between 16 and 18°C. Decanting for one to two hours, or even double decanting while young, is recommended to soften its tannins. This wine can be enjoyed now but will continue to evolve favorably until around 2042.

The powerful, mineral expression of a Barossa Valley wine

The estate

Founded in September 1999 by Michael Twelftree and Richard Mintz, the Two Hands estate is located in Southern Australia. The initial goal was to showcase the regional diversity of Australian Shiraz through terroir-driven wines, breaking away from the standardized blends of the time. Today, the estate is led by co-owners Michael Twelftree and Pierre-Henri Morel. The estate manages 42 hectares in the Western Ranges and 6 hectares in the Eden Valley. Renowned worldwide for its low-intervention approach and rigorous barrel classification, Two Hands embodies Australian winemaking excellence.

The vineyard

Acquired in 2001, the Coach House vineyard spans approximately 7 hectares near Greenock, in the Western Ranges of the Barossa Valley. Rising to 256 meters in altitude, this terroir is distinguished by its reddish-brown soils rich in iron and clay, resting on a base of limestone and sandstone. The Shiraz vines, around thirty years old, are grown using certified sustainable practices, including hand-harvesting and hand-pruning, the use of natural mulch and the preservation of biodiversity.

The vintage

2022 began with abundant winter rainfall, ideally replenishing soil water reserves. Spring, marked by a historically wet November and unstable weather, called for heightened vigilance against disease. Afterward, a long, mild growing season and an extended Indian summer allowed for slow, optimal flavor development, resulting in a harvest of exceptional quality.

Winemaking and aging

The grapes destined for the Coach House Block Shiraz 2022 are destemmed then crushed before being placed in open fermenters. Maceration lasts ten to twelve days, with regular hand punch-downs for optimal extraction. After malolactic fermentation in barrel, the wine is aged for 18 months in French oak barrels (up to 50% new oak, the remainder being one- to six-year-old barrels). The wine is bottled without filtration and with minimal fining.

Grape variety

Shiraz (100%).