TN: 2005 Two Hands Gnarly Dudes Shiraz

[Maximus]

TN: 2005 Two Hands Gnarly Dudes Shiraz

I checked in the mirror halfway through the bottle. Sure enough, there they were; long black streaks like gangrenous stalactites dripping from my gums. This is a black, black wine. Ebony. Denser than some highschool hooligans.

I'm awakened from my pigment-fetish reverie thanks to a thickening of the air. The fruit aromas are being driven from the glass, with auspicious tenacity. It's not quite a fruit bomb - I still have my eyebrows - but boy, this baby has the goods. Super intense, super concentrated berry fruit; some dark, but hints of lighter blueberries and wild raspberries. The oak plays a supporting role, casting caramel and coffee nuances that accentuate the captivation. As the wine has a chance to calm down, liquorice allsorts accompany the stageshow.

As you'd expect, it's full bodied, which the nose demands. The flavour ripples across the palate - we're not watching a bodybuilder flex, but gentle waves that suggestively fade, leading to a textural generosity that requires considerable tongue excavation. The palate fruit is comprised of kirsch and blackberry, with a twist of briar, finishing with a contrasting savoury goodness and youthful acidity. It's not the slowest finish in the world, but it's no Schumacker either. The dainty tannins, that can flitter on the verge of sumptuousness, help carry the length.

For fans of the style - and this does slot straight into a stylisitic niche - it's a definite thumbs up. At the right time, on the right occassion, when the mood demands Barossa Shiraz, this will not disappoint.

[Grinners]

Sounds gorgeous

I'll have to hunt some down

[prester john]

Thanks to the note, Max.

That is a beautiful tasting note.

Would you care to estimate what sort of longevity you might place on this wine? Your TN suggests to me that it might be a 10+ proposition, or have I missed the mark?

Best,

PJ.

[Red Bigot]

Sounds gorgeous

I'll have to hunt some down

If you find the 2004 instead (the 2005 may be just out now in Oz, only one listing on wine-searcher) it is a good wine too, perhaps not quite as OTT as Max's expressive note on the 2005 indicates, a much better wine than the same vintage Angel's Share and about the same price ($23) in the shop I bought it at.

[Maximus]

PJ,

It lacks the focussed, understated core of some truly great cellaring prospects; it's approchability is quite good despite its youth. However, there is enough fruit and tannin structure to push it a decade - maybe more. For those of us that don't drink this sort of wine every night of the week, I'd speculate that it could really become quite a gem later down the track as the fruit boisterousness subsides.

For interest, I've tried both the '05 Gnarly Dudes and the '05 Angels Share. I think the Angels Share is more the crowd pleaser - Christ it's silky - but I think there is more depth to the Gnarly Dudes. I enjoy each equally.

Cheers,

[Gavin Trott]

RB

I deleted just the pst.

Its all in the wrist!