My father turned 60 a few weeks ago. For his birthday we threw him a big surprise party. Among many other things the man loves Penfolds Grange. He always asks me to find him something to taste next to it- not necessarily to outclass it, or even to compete with it, but really just so he can see that there are wineries in Australia up to the challenge. This time I pulled out a bottle of Two Hands Ares. Here are the notes. Oh yeah . . . people enjoyed the wines.
Two Hands Ares 2004:
A pure and rich expression of Shiraz. A wine loaded with blueberries, blackberries, smoke, graphite and shaved dark chocolate. Bursting with flavor but not in a way that is asking to be restrained. The smooth, elegant, mouth-coating flavors last for nearly a minute and during that introspection you can only think monosyllabic words like “yum” until you take another sip. Of course when you finish your last sip a different, this time defiant grunt, rolls off your tongue- ****! 95 points
Penfolds Grange 2003:
Classic, evocative and expressive- so many things at once- an overpowering knock-out, then coquettish and shy. Minerals, mocha, blue and black fruits, spices and dark chocolate all packed densely together and layered in complex flavor patterns designed to tease your palate. Like a puzzle this wine was hard to put together in the beginning. And, it is perhaps too young to solve. But it has the makings of a very good, if not excellent Grange. These are the kind of wines I love to try young- and then visit again when they are mature. 95 points
There was no winner this night- except those drinking.