Two Hands Zippy’s Block Shiraz 2004
Some valuable, secondary research findings are as follows:
Wine Searcher consolidates the 2004 Shiraz Roennfeldt Road Zippy’s Block got higher world Retail Prices and Benchmark Price, compared to vintages 2005 and 2006.
90 Plus Wine writes it is ‘The best vintage ever produced is 2004, receiving an average Score of 97/100. ‘Zippy's Block is a small section of vineyard in our grower Darren Zimmerman's Roennfeldt Road vineyard.
The 2004 Zippy’s Block Shiraz was the first ever vintage of this particular label produced by Two Hands Wines. You could say that this particular vintage was the start of something big at Two Hands, as the Zippy’s Block Shiraz is a must try for any lovers of quality Australian Shiraz.
The Zippy's Block Single Vineyard is one of the 6 to 7 single vineyards of Two hands. In terms of quality, wines from these wines play second fiddle only to the Flagship wines(and Ares Shiraz is the top-top Shiraz selling AU$160@) and is ranked much higher than the super-premium range of Garden Series which is from the best regional fruit. Of course, Zippy's Block is from an exceptional single vineyard site in Marananga. This block is special because it always has an extremely low yield and takes longer to reach full maturity. This wine has a complex bouquet followed by an opulent, elegant, viscous and supple palate. Wine style is true Barossa valley (fruit, power and concentration) clothed in an elegant and softer format. Skin contact duration is 19-day, using old French oak for 18 month. Of cork closure, this wine is 14.7% alc.
We found the writings from the winery are most useful.
‘Two Hands Wines was founded in early 1999 by Michael Twelftree and Richard Mintz. The original aim shared by Michael and Richard was to make the best possible Shiraz-based wines from prized Shiraz growing regions throughout Australia. Their intention was, and still is, to showcase the diversity of Australian Shiraz by highlighting regional characteristics and allowing the fruit to be the primary feature of the wines. Two Hands refers to the very personable approach taken with each parcel of grapes, no matter how big or small. The wines are carefully guided through the viticulture and winemaking process by Michael Twelftree and winemaker, Matt Wenk. Two Hands' first vintage was in 2000, starting with just 17 tonnes of fruit. In 2004 a state-of-the-art winery was built in the picturesque Barossa Valley in South Australia, specifically designed for small batch handling. To maximize the individual regional and varietal characteristics and to allow for greater quality control, every parcel of fruit, no matter how small, is handled separately from crushing through to fermentation and oak maturation. Premium fruit is now sourced from six of the finest Shiraz growing regions in Australia, and Two Hands work closely with their own vineyards and band of growers to ensure the full potential of each vineyard is reached. 'Quality without compromise' is a core value that drives all Two Hands decisions so, not surprisingly, the wines have received international acclaim from respected wine critics, with Robert Parker proclaiming Two Hands as '...the finest negociant operation south of the equator...'In November 2011, Two Hands was named in the Wine Spectator's annual Top 100 for the 9th consecutive year, an achievement that has never been equalled by any other winery the world over.’
Our tastings of the vintage 2004 is, we believe, well reflected in Parker’s tasting(RP98) as follows:
“From the Barossa, the 2004 Shiraz Roennfeldt Road Zippy’s Block is pedal-to-the-metal, full-throttle Shiraz fashioned from a single vineyard whose fruit used to be sold to Penfolds for use in their Grange program. There are only 200 cases of this full-bodied effort. It boasts fabulous aromas and flavors of blackberries, cassis, loamy soil, licorice, pepper, and a hint of roasted Provencal herbs. A profound effort, it should keep for 15-20 years.
