The Lucky Dip Case is back... with a TWIST! This time with a focus on some seriously delicious premium reds from some brilliant producers. There’s still the opportunity to pick up a bottle of Grange, if you are lucky, but the smaller, quality-focused lineup is very impressive standing alone.
This is a 6 pack.
Each case contains the same 5 wines (listed below under - the other wines), and the 6th wine could be any one of our four ‘wildcard wines’.
The wild card wines:
An iconic Penfolds Grange 2015 worth $900 (1 in 100 chance)
A single vineyard McLaren Vale cabernet worth $250 (1 in 25 chance)
A 96pt Barossa Valley shiraz worth $100 (1 in 10 chance)
A McLaren Vale shiraz worth $50
Each box contains one of these epic wines. The odds vary per wine, but each one is a centrepiece wine, worthy of some truly special occasions.
We should say up front: there are no returns on this - click here for case terms and conditions. As it’s a Lucky Dip, it would be unfair to other mofos running in the draw.
The easiest way to guarantee getting a bottle of Grange is to go out and buy one for yourself. If you, like me, don’t have $900 handy, this is definitely your best (and cheapest) option! Heard enough already? Pop that case in the cart and cross your fingers and toes! Otherwise, read on for a bit more info on all those lovely wines:
Wildcard Wines
Wild Card Wine #1
Penfolds Grange Shiraz 2015
South Australia
99pts James Halliday | 98pts Wine Advocate | 97pts Wine Enthusiast | 97pts Wine Spectator | 97pts Wine Front
“Bang. The first whiff cries Grange. A lifted, fragrant, harmonious blend of fruit, oak (American, of course) and finely pitched tannins. Faultless. It’s all relative, but this is starting to relax its grip. And the length is very, very special.” - James Halliday
“The nose of the 2015 Grange features the wine’s characteristic lifted aromas, joined by pronounced American oak influence and bold blackberry fruit, plus hints of red meat, raspberries, asphalt and vanilla. It’s dense and concentrated on the palate, full-bodied yet balanced and firm, with a rich, velvety texture and long, plush finish. Don’t expect great complexity at this stage—it’s much too young to show much more than the primary fruit and oak elements—but this is a Grange that should easily go three or four decades.” - Wine Advocate
“Don’t mind if I do. There are clear notes of coconut here, indeed more than I can ever remember in a young Grange. That will ring alarm bells for some but, in my opinion, it can mention coconut all that it likes; it still manages to get away with it. The combination of richness, length, tannin spread and balance places this straight in the realms of the elite. Individual descriptors: who cares. It’s deep, bold, muscular and dark, and it delivers all this in svelte, satiny, seductive fashion. This 2015 release of Grange is no disappointment. Indeed it’s as good as you’d hope and/or expect. The finish: it soars.” - Campbell Mattinson, Wine Front
YOU’D PAY $900 full price.
Wild Card Wine #2
First Drop Dragons Blood Cabernet Sauvignon 2014
McLaren Vale, SA
Single Vineyard
Seven years old but right on time (and bloody good at that). This is the flagship dreams are made of. Intensely rich and structured, this wine from First Drop would have been too tightly wound a few years ago. Now it’s sitting pretty and opening up, begging for you to have a taste. The nose is of cassis and plum standing on the shoulders of potpourri and tobacco leaf. The immensely viscous palate yields dark berry flavours, cedar notes from 24 months in new French oak and a lingering finish that brings the whole experience home. A fully enveloping wine for those that want to be immersed.
YOU’D PAY $250 full price.
Wild Card Wine #3
Schubert Estate Lone Goose Shiraz 2016
Barossa Valley, SA
96pts James Halliday | 96pts Sam Kim | 96pts Wine Pilot | 5 Stars Sam Kim
Schubert Estate brings the single block greatness with the brightness dialed up a notch thanks to a touch of viognier in its Lone Goose shiraz. It’s the northern Rhône recipe for greatness, realised much closer to home in Australia’s top shiraz region. Every aspect of the crafting is hands-on, from the harvest to the wild yeast fermentation, on through the basket pressing. Only then can this delicious drop get a rest, seeing 20 months in older French oak. The nose is a touch floral (thanks to the viognier), but that deep shiraz fruit powers through, accompanied by herbal and leather notes, along with chocolate and licorice. What happens when the darkness of Barossa shiraz sees the light? You’ll have to pull the cork to find out.
YOU’D PAY $100 full price.
Wild Card Wine #4
Atlas Block 126 Shiraz 2020
McLaren Vale, SA
Atlas is newer addition to the Vale, yet already one of the most noteworthy. Immediately jumping out of this glass are cherries and charcuterie. Warm black cherries to be precise, bursting with juiciness, and sweet-salty jamón in perfect harmony. It’s mouthwatering already. After that, there’s Black Doris plums, a touch of vanilla, spicy oak, and smoked game. Superfine tannins give everything a leg up and counter-balance the richness. It’s McLaren Vale to an absolute tee, handled with care.
YOU’D PAY $50 full price.
The other wines
Every pack includes these 5 wines:
Jim Brand Wines The Pursuit Cabernet Sauvignon 2018
Coonawarra, SA
95pts Ken Gargett |94pts Winestate Magazine | 94pts Ray Jordan | 4 Stars Winestate Magazine | Single Vineyard | Boutique Producer
An extroverted red which refuses to back down, this wine from Jim Brand is fragrant with dark forest fruits seducing the nose, while traces of mint and cedar oak add a twist of regional character. A torrent of ripe plum, dark berry and blackcurrant make their presence known on the palate - clearly dominating but steering clear of overwhelming the tastebuds. The finish is superb with great length and a dry finale. An outstanding example of how to balance power with restraint, and succeed - this magnificent cab shows others how its done.
YOU’D PAY $50 full price.
Pikes Settler’s Cottage Shiraz 2018
Clare Valley, SA
5 Red Star Halliday Rated Winery
If you were hanging out in South Australia in the 1880’s, you’d know Pikes for their beers. Fast forward 100 years and and several generations and the Pike family has firmly established themselves as one of the premier wine producers in the Clare Valley. Hops and grapevines, a rather abstract take on the tradition family tree. Their Cottage shiraz speaks loudly of the Clare style - a bit less dense than wines from the neighbouring Barossa, but still deep and concentrated with all the hallmarks of an Aussie’s favourite red.
YOU’D PAY $40 full price.
Giribaldi Dame & Fuet Langhe Rosso 2019
Piedmont, Italy
Certified Organic
This organic Langhe Rosso from the boutique winery of the Giribaldi family has the typical components of dolcetto, barbera and nebbiolo, but there’s also a surprising touch of pinot noir in the blend. It’s medium-bodied, ruby red in colour and bursting with aromas of cherry, redcurrant and tobacco. On the palate the fruit carries through, but is accompanied by hints of vanilla and licorice undoubtedly drawn from the wine’s generous time in seasoned oak. It’s easy-going enough to enjoy a glass on its own, but the acid structure is plenty apparent for pairing with savoury, meaty dishes. Try it with carne cruda, agnolotti del Plin or brasato. You’ll feel like you’re sitting under the shadow of the Italian Alps.
YOU’D PAY $36 full price.
Powell & Son Riverside GSM 2018
Barossa Valley, SA
5 Star Halliday Rated Winery | Single Vineyard | Vegan Friendly
Now THIS is good wine! And it’s from the legendary Powell & Son out of the Barossa Valley - icons of this iconic region if you will. It’s bright and juicy, with elegant tannin and layered complexity. The palate’s exploding with blackcurrant and raspberry compote, sweet red cherries and licorice. The splash of mataro adds a delightful medicinal undertone to this one - wine tonic for all your ailments. It’s plush enough for the winter, and will take a quick chill in the fridge well over summer. So versatile, so so good.
YOU’D PAY $30 full price.
McArthur Ridge Brassknocker Pinot Noir 2018
Central Otago, NZ
MacArthur Ridge is a 20-year old vineyard with exceptional drainage located just north of Alexandra and between the Mata-Au and Manuherikia Rivers in Central Otago. Brassknocker is McArthur Ridge’s fruit-driven drink now-ish pinot noir. There’s still a bit of oak on it, but the plum, strawberry, and rhubarb brightness rule the day. You’ll even find a touch of mocha in there and the typical Otago herbaceousness and spice. A long finish with a fine acid line complete what is a total knockout for Otago pinot at this price.
YOU’D PAY $30 full price.
