When two good mates get together, one the Chief Winemaker with a major winery, the other with a passion for wine –  the inevitable had to happen and Purple Hands Wines was created. Craig Stansborough and Mark Slade started Purple Hands in 2006 from humble beginnings. Just over a tonne of hand picked Shiraz was crushed and barrel fermented in Craig’s shed making around 100 dozen. 

Zerk Vineyard, Lyndoch Planted 1961. 30% whole bunch, aged in old puncheons. Ripe raspberry, cherry, spice, paprika and a gently herbal/stalky top note. Medium-bodied, juicy and succulent red fruits, fine emery tannin offers grip and shape, acidity is fresh, and there’s a frisky spiced strawberry and orange peel flavour on finish of brightness and good length. Lovely wine. So charming and good to drink. Date: Feb 2023; Alcohol: 14%; Price: $35; Closure: Screwcap; Drink: 2023-2029; Rated: 93 Points; Gary Walsh; The Wine Front

From the Zerk vineyard in Lyndoch, 25% whole bunch and matured in old puncheons. Perfumed and lifted aromas of macerated red plums, red apple and cranberry immediately jump from the glass along with hints of gingerbread, souk-like spice, amaro, earth, citrus blossom and berry flan. Crunchy, bright and airy on the palate with some nice sour cherry twang peeking in on the finish, which shows a lovely floral facet and a whole lot of inherent drinkability from the word go. Great stuff. Drink to: 2030; Price: $35.00; Alcohol: 14%; Rating: 94 Points & Special Value Star; James Halliday Wine Companion