Two Hands Gnarly Dudes Shiraz

Two Hands Gnarly Dudes Shiraz is a 100% Barossa Valley Shiraz bottled at approximately 14.5% ABV in a standard 750ml format. Scored 95 points by James Halliday's Wine Companion (2018 vintage) and 93 points by Wine Spectator (2016 vintage), this expression has earned a firm reputation as one of Australia's most reliable mid-range Shiraz bottlings.

Quick Facts: ABV: ~14.5%  |  Origin: Barossa Valley, South Australia  |  Varietal: 100% Shiraz  |  Producer: Two Hands Wines

Production & Heritage

Two Hands Wines, founded in 1999 by Michael Twelftree and Richard Mintz in South Australia, built its identity around single-region Shiraz expressions that showcase the character of each sub-region. Gnarly Dudes draws its name from the old, gnarled Shiraz vines in the Barossa Valley from which the fruit is sourced. The wine matures for 12 months in French oak — 15% new barrels, with the balance in one- to six-year-old oak — delivering oak integration without overwhelming the fruit. Every barrel in the Two Hands winery is blind-tasted by Michael and Chief Winemaker Richard, then assigned a classification grade from A+ to D; anything graded C or below is excluded from final production, ensuring only the strongest barrels reach the bottle.

Tasting Notes

Aroma: Intense and lifted, opening with black plum and blackberry before moving into layers of vanilla, mocha, and cedar. Violets and a subtle smokiness add complexity underneath the core dark fruit.

Taste: A generous wave of rich, ripe fruit fills the palate on entry — blackberry and dark cherry dominate, followed by dark chocolate and licorice at mid-palate. Black pepper and a hint of butterscotch emerge as the wine develops, supported by dense, firm tannins that give the wine structure without austerity.

Finish: Long and layered, with lingering notes of Earl Grey tea, smoked paprika, bay leaf, and a subtle sweet mint. The oak recedes cleanly, leaving dark fruit and spice to carry the close.

How to Drink Gnarly Dudes Shiraz

Best served at cellar temperature (16–18°C / 60–65°F) in a large-bowled glass that allows the aromatics to open fully. Decanting for 30 minutes softens the firm tannins and brings forward the secondary spice and chocolate notes. For cocktail-adjacent serves: a bold Kalimotxo riff using Gnarly Dudes in place of a lighter red adds real depth to the cola-and-wine template; a red wine Sangria benefits from the concentrated dark fruit and spice this Shiraz provides; and a Mulled Wine built on Gnarly Dudes delivers exceptional warmth and complexity during cooler months.

Best For

• Pairing with a weekend barbecue or charcoal-grilled meats
• Gifting an Australian wine enthusiast exploring Barossa Valley Shiraz
• Building a mid-week cellar staple with consistent vintage-to-vintage quality
• Hosting a Shiraz tasting comparing Barossa Valley and McLaren Vale expressions

Frequently Asked Questions

What does Gnarly Dudes Shiraz taste like? Gnarly Dudes delivers a bold, fruit-forward profile dominated by blackberry, dark plum, and dark chocolate, with secondary layers of black pepper, licorice, and mocha from 12 months in French oak. Dense tannins give it structure, while notes of Earl Grey tea and smoked paprika add complexity on the finish.

How does Gnarly Dudes compare to Two Hands Angels Share Shiraz? Both come from Two Hands but from different regions — Gnarly Dudes sources fruit exclusively from the Barossa Valley, while Angels Share draws from McLaren Vale, producing a typically more maritime-influenced, slightly more savory profile. Gnarly Dudes tends to be richer and more densely fruited, reflecting the warmer Barossa terroir.

Is Gnarly Dudes Shiraz good for drinking now or cellaring? Gnarly Dudes drinks well on release thanks to its approachable fruit intensity and balanced oak, but its firm tannic structure and concentrated fruit also allow it to develop positively for 5–8 years in proper cellar conditions.

Where is Gnarly Dudes Shiraz made? Gnarly Dudes Shiraz is produced by Two Hands Wines in South Australia, using 100% Shiraz grapes sourced from old vines in the Barossa Valley, one of Australia's most acclaimed wine regions.

What foods pair well with Gnarly Dudes Shiraz? Slow-smoked beef brisket matches the wine's smokiness and tannic grip; aged cheddar or Gruyère plays well against its dark fruit richness; lamb shoulder with rosemary echoes its herbal undertones; dark chocolate desserts complement the mocha and cocoa notes; and chargrilled eggplant with harissa mirrors the wine's spice and intensity.

What sizes does Gnarly Dudes Shiraz come in? Gnarly Dudes Shiraz is widely available in the standard 750ml bottle format.

Is Gnarly Dudes Shiraz worth the price? Gnarly Dudes positions as a mid-range Barossa Valley Shiraz that consistently over-delivers for its tier, evidenced by scores of 93 from Wine Spectator and 95 from James Halliday — ratings more commonly associated with bottles at significantly higher price points.

Why Gnarly Dudes Shiraz?

What separates Gnarly Dudes from the crowded field of Barossa Shiraz is Two Hands' rigorous blind barrel classification system — every barrel is tasted and graded, and anything below a C grade never reaches a Two Hands label. That quality filter, combined with fruit from old Barossa vines and restrained use of new French oak (just 15%), produces a wine that balances power with detail. Consistent critical recognition across multiple vintages — including 95 points from Halliday and 93 from Wine Spectator — confirms this is not a one-vintage wonder but a dependable benchmark for the region. For anyone seeking a serious, well-structured Barossa Valley Shiraz without venturing into premium pricing territory, Gnarly Dudes remains one of the smartest choices in the category.