This is a Black Market mix with a twist! We’ve only listed eleven wines below. What gives? Well, the twelfth bottle is a bit of a mystery.
It’ll be a wicked shiraz, that’s for sure. And it’ll definitely be some amazing Black Market value. And that’s all you need to know...
Every case contains one of each of the following, and one mystery shiraz to make up the dozen:
Shiraz 2017
Coonawarra, South Australia
Five red star Halliday rated winery | Women in Wine
This gorgeously full-flavoured shiraz is like the essence of Coonawarra in a bottle. There’s pretty fruit, juicy blueberries and plums, set off against a wild side. Think classic Coonawarra eucalypt, crunchy herbaceous notes, lifted pine forest aromatics and a generous peppering of spices to go with it. It’s intensely flavoursome, deep and complex. The mouthfeel is lightened by a bright flash of acidity. Everything’s fresh and refreshing, in spite of the layers of flavour to be found. It’s bloody good wine, in short. But that’s not surprising, either. This is from one of Coonawarra’s best wineries, who have taken the top of the table in terms of value and flavour, and not letting up in their efforts to stay there. If there’s to be a new benchmark in Coonawarra shiraz, it’s this.
YOU’D PAY $35 full price.
Shiraz 2017
Yarra Valley, Victoria
Minimal Intervention | Boutique Producer
The first thing you’ll notice when you pull this out of the box is the cracker of a label it has. The thing looks a million bucks – needless to say it doesn’t cost it. The tasteful design is a great reflection of the ethos that made the wine, too. It’s considered, balanced and wonderfully poised. There’s plums and blueberries, enriched with an earthy, savoury character. Tannin, too, but no more than you need. It’s medium-bodied, letting the flavour do the talking rather than trying to overpower the conversation.
YOU’D PAY $30 full price.
Chardonnay 2018
Great Southern, Western Australia
90pts Patrick Eckel | Five Star Halliday rated winery
For a humble, inexpensive WA chardy, this is determined not to be overlooked. The nose is incredibly lifted, especially considering chardonnay is not normally the most aromatic of grapes. There’s buckets of stonefruit, jasmine and minerality. Peaches, nectarines, lemon peel and gently toasted sourdough notes make up the palate. A zippy acidity keeps things fresh and clean without taking away from the surprising complexity on offer. It’s unlikely to knock white Burgundy off its perch any time soon, but it’s undeniably delicious!
YOU’D PAY $28 full price.
Riesling 2017
Victoria
Five red star Halliday rated winery | Minimal Intervention
This riz comes from the Upper Goulburn valley, up in the Victorian High Country. At 400m of elevation, the vineyard’s a prime spot to grow a good riesling. The grapes are all handpicked, and then these were whole bunch pressed and naturally fermented by native yeast. The juice is fermented in big, old oak barrels with gives a wonderful sprinkle of texture, without adding much in the way of oak character. The fruit is allowed to speak for itself, without any sort of interference. Flavour-wise, we’re talking lemon drop, mandarin peel and kaffir lime, underscored by a chalky line of minerality. It’ll age incredibly well, but it’s always nice to find a riesling THIS approachable in its youth. We’ll leave the choice up to you!
YOU’D PAY $28 full price.
Cabernet Sauvignon 2017
Limestone Coast, South Australia
93pts Sam Kim | 91pts Wine Showcase
As youthfully exuberant as it is a serious strutter, this peacocking cab puts its mitts up to Coonawarra. Drinkability is off the charts, backed by enough tannin structure to be certain of its varietal nature. Redcurrants, lifted spice and plunging earth notes are underscored by licorice and piquant pepper. Fruit delivers with gusto and some unexpected mid-palate richness. Long-lasting Limestone Coast goodness right here.
YOU’D PAY $28 full price.
Pinot Gris 2018
King Valley, Victoria
We see an intense palate of fresh cut pear, green apple and subtle spice on the finish. It walks the tightrope of providing plenty of flavour while also being dry and crisp, right in the zone for aussie gris.
YOU’D PAY $26 full price.
Prosecco NV
Veneto, Italy
This is rampantly fun stuff and the perfect way to kick off a get-together - whether celebrating something or not. It’s ‘extra dry’ which, bizarrely, allows for a faint smidge of sweetness, but the overwhelming impression is far more crisp, fruity and mineral than anything else. Delicious straight, or invite the gang round for Aperol spritz night (or with Campari for an ever-so-slightly classier twist), or go all-out Venetian breakfast with a couple of Bellinis.
YOU’D PAY $25 full price.
Grenache 2016
McLaren Vale, South Australia
90pts Wine Enthusiast | Five star rated Halliday winery
The winemakers were hell-bent on one thing with this one – preserve that unmistakable grenache fruitiness to make a jubilantly smashable bottleful of fun. And that’s just what they did. We’re talking the kind of wine your mates will expect you to pour whenever they come round. No sooner have you sat them down then there’ll be a chorus of, “Got any of that grenache we had last time?”.
YOU’D PAY $25 full price.
Sauvignon Blanc 2019
Gippsland, Victoria
It’s grapefruit and snowpea. Flavour and aroma is beautifully balanced and effortlessly moreish. It’s an incredible complement to whatever you’re eating, rather than blanketing it in overbearing personality. It may be cheeky, but the three words that immediately spring to mind with this are ‘fresh’, ‘crisp’ and ‘clean’. Honest.
YOU’D PAY $22 full price.
Cabernet Sauvignon 2018
France
From the sunny south coast of France comes this wickedly delightful cabernet. Deep, regal purple in colour, and intensely perfumed on the nose, this is strongly suggestive of place. Rich blackberries, tangy blueberries, violets, lavender and thyme give this cabernet a gutsy Mediteranean vibe, all warm days and evocative nights, giving a wonderful balance of richness and vibrancy. This is a wine you can afford to crack open whenever you feel like it. And it’ll be delicious every single time.
YOU’D PAY $22 full price.
Grenache Blend 2017
Languedoc-Roussillon, France
Gold Medal Vinalies Or 2019
The south of France has had something of a winemaking renaissance in recent years, with backs being turned on the bulk wine market, and ever more wicked vinos being made with care and attention. This has all the hallmarks of one of those. Fruit clarity, vibrance, poise and precision make for a quaffable delight. Think ripe red and black berries, with lots of garriguey aromas and a streak of dark licorice underneath.
YOU’D PAY $22 full price.
What is a Black Market deal?
Black Market deals are only made possible if we don’t reveal the maker’s brand on site. The wines are the genuine article, absolutely no cleanskins or fake brands, just dangerously good value. You won’t find out what it is until it hits your doorstep, but you won’t regret it. Just keep it on the down low.
