Two Hands Angels Share Shiraz

Two Hands Angels' Share Shiraz is a 750ml McLaren Vale Shiraz bottled at 14.2–14.5% ABV, depending on vintage. The 2022 vintage earned 91 points from Robert Parker's Wine Advocate and 90 points from Wine Spectator, reinforcing its standing as one of the most reliable expressions in Two Hands' Picture Series lineup.

Quick Facts: ABV: 14.2–14.5%  |  Origin: McLaren Vale, South Australia  |  100% Shiraz  |  Producer: Two Hands Wines

Production & Heritage

Two Hands Wines, founded in 1999 by Michael Twelftree and Richard Mintz, built its reputation on single-region Australian Shiraz bottlings that showcase terroir rather than blending across appellations. Angels' Share sources fruit exclusively from McLaren Vale, crushed and fermented in 5, 7, and 10-tonne open fermenters with regular pump-overs two to three times daily during peak fermentation. After averaging 15 days on skins, the wine matures for 12 months in a combination of French oak hogsheads (300 liters) and puncheons (500 liters) with 10–15% new oak — larger-format barrels that impart subtler oak influence and preserve fruit expression compared to standard 225-liter barriques.

Tasting Notes

Aroma: Ripe blueberry and mulberry lead, followed by dried herbs, juniper, and a thread of dried rose petal. Beneath the fruit sits a savory undercurrent of tobacco and dried bay leaf that develops with time in the glass.

Taste: The entry is generous and sweet-fruited — plum, blackberry bramble, and black cherry — before the mid-palate pivots toward darker tones of licorice, mocha, and earthy spice. Broad, silky tannins arrive gradually, framing the fruit without overwhelming it, while cleansing acidity keeps the wine from tipping into heaviness.

Finish: Medium-long, with lingering notes of ash, pink peppercorn, and wild game trailing behind sweet tannin structure. The savory character builds after the fruit recedes, rewarding patience.

How to Drink Angels' Share Shiraz

Best served at 16–18°C (60–65°F), this Shiraz rewards 20–30 minutes of breathing in the glass or a brief decant. It drinks well on its own, without food, thanks to its plush tannin structure and balanced acidity. For cocktails and wine-based drinks: try it in a Kalimotxo (red wine and cola), where the Shiraz's dark fruit intensity holds its own against sweetness; a Sangria built with fresh stone fruit that echoes the wine's plum and berry core; or a classic Mulled Wine in cooler months, where the existing spice and herb notes integrate naturally with warm spice additions like cinnamon and star anise.

Best For

• Weeknight dinners with grilled red meat or slow-cooked lamb
• Introducing someone to premium Australian Shiraz without barrel-heavy oak
• Gifting a wine drinker who gravitates toward full-bodied, fruit-forward reds
• Building a cellar with approachable, vintage-consistent South Australian Shiraz

Frequently Asked Questions

What does Angels' Share Shiraz taste like? Angels' Share delivers rich plum, blackberry, and blueberry fruit layered with mocha, licorice, dried herbs, and a savory finish of ash and wild game. It is full-bodied and silky, with round tannins and enough acidity to keep it balanced rather than heavy.

How does Angels' Share compare to Two Hands Gnarly Dudes Shiraz? Both sit within Two Hands' Picture Series, but Angels' Share sources from McLaren Vale while Gnarly Dudes draws from the Barossa Valley. McLaren Vale typically produces a slightly more savory, herb-inflected style, whereas Barossa Valley Shiraz tends toward bigger, richer dark fruit and more pronounced tannin weight.

Is Angels' Share good for sipping on its own? Yes — the wine's plush, round tannins and fruit-forward entry make it immediately enjoyable without food, especially after a short decant or 20 minutes of air in the glass.

Where is Angels' Share Shiraz made? Angels' Share is produced by Two Hands Wines using fruit sourced exclusively from the McLaren Vale wine region in South Australia, a maritime-influenced area south of Adelaide known for producing rich, full-bodied Shiraz.

What foods pair well with Angels' Share Shiraz? Grilled lamb chops work well with the wine's herbal and peppery notes. Slow-smoked beef brisket matches the mocha and earthy depth. Hard aged cheeses like aged cheddar complement the tannin structure. Mushroom risotto echoes the savory, earthy undertones. Dark chocolate desserts mirror the mocha and berry fruit without clashing.

What sizes does Angels' Share come in? Angels' Share Shiraz is widely available in the standard 750ml bottle format.

Is Angels' Share worth the price? Angels' Share positions as a mid-range expression within Two Hands' portfolio, sitting below their premium single-vineyard wines but above entry-level offerings. With consistent scores around 90–91 points from major critics and restrained oak treatment that lets McLaren Vale fruit speak, it represents strong value in the Australian Shiraz category at its price tier.

Why Angels' Share?

What separates Angels' Share from the crowded field of Australian Shiraz is its deliberate use of larger-format French oak — hogsheads and puncheons rather than standard barriques — at a modest 10–15% new oak ratio. The result is a wine where McLaren Vale's savory, herb-laced terroir character remains intact rather than getting buried under vanilla and toast. Consistent critical recognition (91 points from Robert Parker's Wine Advocate on multiple vintages) confirms this isn't a one-vintage success story but a reliably well-made bottling. For drinkers who want full-bodied Australian Shiraz with restraint and regional identity, Angels' Share delivers exactly that.