Quality without compromise is central to the Two Hands' philosophy, driving all the decisions from fruit and oak selection to packaging and promotion.

They strive to differentiate themselves; to be unique, fun and innovative in their business approach while maintaining a high degree of professionalism and integrity.

Minimal intervention and oak handling allow the character of the fruit to shine through. Six months after vintage, every barrel in the winery is blind tasted by Michael and the winemaking team and given a classification grade associated with its place in the Two Hands portfolio: from A+ to D (and anything C or below not used in Two Hands final production). With this focus on detail, it means only the best barrels make it through and quality is maintained even in the toughest vintages, albeit at lower quantities.

Ares represents the very best Shiraz parcels selected each vintage. Notes of dark currant, fresh coals, concentrated roasted meats, Asian spice, liquorice, warm oil and violet.

The palate is lush and coating, with a strong core of ripe purple to black fruits. The mouthfeel and weight have an excellent energy and persistence. This wine is built for the long haul and will reward a long sleep in a quiet place for 10 to 20 years with ease. This is very impressive for the vintage, where concentration was not a given. It had to be made with quality fruit selection and a good hand in the winery.

"The mulberry and vanilla-scented 2017 Ares Shiraz is a full-bodied Barossa Shiraz, with sufficient structure to support at least 15 years of aging. Dark purple and saturated in color, it shows some faint herbal nuances as well - enough to keep the fruit from being monolithic or boring, not enough to be a distraction. The tannins are rich and ripe, imparting a velvety texture on the palate and lingering as a soft dustiness on the long finish. 96+ points."
(Joe Czerwinski, The Wine Advocate, July 2020)