Thomas Wines Two of a Kind Shiraz 2022

Born and bred in McLaren Vale, Andrew ‘Thommo’ Thomas reckoned he had it all figured out. He would graduate from Roseworthy and pursue a career in South Australia, following in the footsteps of his father, Wayne Thomas. And then fate stepped in. Between semesters, Thomas took on a vintage at Tyrrells. Here he met and worked under larger-than-life Murray Tyrrell and his experience in the Hunter would imprint on Thomas for life. 

The Hunter component (52%) is sourced from the Ridgeview and Pokolbin Estate vineyards, the latter home to Thomas’ flagship Kiss Shiraz, which wasn’t produced in 2020. The McLaren Vale component (48%) is from Barry Clarke’s vineyard in the Blewitt Springs subregion. In terms of the winemaking, the components were fermented in stainless steel separately and blended very soon after pressing, pumped over twice a day and matured in used French hogsheads for 16 months. 

Youthful bright deep purple colour with an expressive nose of violet, mocha choc, vanilla, tobacco pouch, pink pepper and generous fresh dark berries and fruits. The palate is full and alluring with classic dark chocolate, rooibos tea and fruit pastilles with a core of ripe boysenberry, red plum and dark cherry with hints of dutch licorice and xmas spices. Expect fine soft tannin with an interlaced juicy mouthfeel. There’s a captivating length to the palate, it will keep you coming back for more. This is a seamless, seductive, and dangerously drinkable style. This wine has the attributes to cellar well over the next five+ years, yet its fruit intensity and supple tannin structure make it enjoyable in its youth, particularly with food.

A tried and true blend of 51/49% Hunter Valley/McLaren Vale fruit, separately fermented but blended shortly thereafter, then spending time in premium quality oak for almost two years. Only just medium bodied, but has plenty happening, the palate lengthened by fine but persistent savoury tannins. - James Halliday, 93 Points.

The Finer Derails
Style - Red Wine
Varietal - Shiraz
Country - Australia
Region - 51% Hunter Valley, NSW, 49% McLaren Vale, South Australia
Vintage - 2022
Bottle Size - 750ml
ABV - 13.7%
Closure - Screw Cap