The Lucky Dip Case is back! The first time we did this, we broke the internet. This time we’ve bubble-wrapped the servers because they’re in for another beating.
Every case contains the same 11 wicked wines, including some our absolute faves here at the ‘fo. More info on them below, and they’re all good things. All mofo standard - i.e. nothing we haven’t enjoyed ourselves.
Then there’s the added excitement of seeing which one of these world-beater wines you will receive as your twelfth.
The twelfth wine is the wildcard and could be any one of these:
An iconic Penfolds Grange 2017 worth $1000 (1 in 100 chance)
A 94pt old vine Barossa Valley shiraz worth $180 (1 in 25 chance)
An old vine Barossa valley shiraz worth $75 (1 in 10 chance)
A 2018 Southern Fleurieu shiraz worth $40 (at a minimum!)
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 to get a bottle of Grange is to go out and buy one for yourself. If you, like me, don’t have $1000 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:
The Wild Card Wines
Wild Card Wine #1
Penfolds Grange Shiraz 2017
South Australia
98pts Wine Spectator | 98pts Huon Hooke | 96pts Robert Parker
Very deep, dark, dense colour with plenty of purple in the rim. The bouquet is classic Grange, loaded with toast-smoky-oaky scents of smoked-meats and toasted barrels, dried herbs adding an extra fragrance, and hints of five-spice, especially star anise. It’s very full-bodied and concentrate, powerful and long-lasting, but the tannins are beautifully crafted and supple, harmonious, and avoid any suggestion of astringency. The core of the wine is lusciously fruit-sweet and delicious, the robe of tannin complementary rather than domineering. The finish is tremendously long and satisfying. I can enjoy drinking this now: not usual with a new Grange release. A quite magnificent wine and a great Grange. - Huon Hooke
Strongly marked - as always - by its 100% American oak elevage, the 2017 Grange backs up the cedar and vanilla notes with ample blackberry and cassis fruit. Full-bodied, ripe and almost decadently creamy in the mouth, it’s loaded with substance, concentrated and rich, yet- in the context of Grange - relatively light and elegant-seeming on the finish. Only the seventh-ever Grange to be exclusively Shiraz, it originates from Barossa Valley (86%) and McLaren Vale (14%): Shiraz from the other growing regions in South Australia failed to make the grade this year. - Joe Czerwinski, Robert Parker’s Wine Advocate
Memorable, complex, aromatic and explosively deep, with a mix of palo santo, dark chocolate, black olive, espresso and hazelnut butter. The pure fruit at the core is a mix of ripe huckleberry, boysenberry and wild blackberry, with dense but polished tannins. Savory notes of dried rosemary and sage, cigar box, dried apricot and sandalwood linger on the epic finish. Drink now through 2045.“ - Wine Spectator
98pts Wine Spectator | 98pts Huon Hooke | 96pts Robert Parker
YOU’D PAY $1000 full price.
Wildcard Wine #2
Chateau Yaldara 1847 ‘170 Shiraz Cabernet’ 2017
Barossa Valley, SA
94pts James Halliday | Old Vine
Nestled at the foot of the Barossa Ranges in the small, premium sub-region of Rowland Flat, you’ll find this pioneering Barossa winery founded in the 1940’s by one of Barossa’s first boutique winemakers. Their shiraz cabernet blend is here to steal the limelight, the two big red styles unsurprisingly coming together to create an unapologetically full bodied wine. 2017 was a pretty cool vintage (we’re talking about the weather), which means even with some hefty weight driving the wine, there’s impeccable balance at its core. This is all about the powerful fruit that melds together with oak spice and firm tannins. It’s bang on Barossa, giving generously and holding nothing back. With a finish that lingers longer than a kid in a candy shop, you won’t be ashamed to show this off to the in-laws or BYO with your boss.
YOU’D PAY $180 full price.
Wildcard Wine #3
Sorby Adams The Reverend Canon Shiraz 2017
Barossa Valley, SA
Top Wineries 2022 - The Real Review | Old Vine | Single Vineyard
This Barossa shiraz speaks of the powerful Barossa terroir and the master crafters who made it. It’s powerful and opulent, but maintains a certain grace that keeps everything in balance. There’s no surprises here with the flavour profile, an expression of blackberry, plum, chocolate, spices and cedar from the use of 30% new French oak. After five years in bottle, it’s drinking beautifully now, but has another decade of prime left in it for those patient types.
YOU’D PAY $75 full price.
Wildcard Wine #4
Salomon Estate Finniss River Sea Eagle Vineyard Shiraz 2018
Southern Fleurieu, SA
Southern Fleurieu is a pretty big area, but we’re really honing into the terroir with this one. Single vineyards just inland from the picturesque Goolwa is where you’ll find the vines that raised this great drop. And from that land, our master winemakers have done what they do best: created a masterpiece of elegance and precision. This number is full of blackberries and spice, and a few cedar notes from around 30% inclusion of new oak. This is not a wine you’ll get your hands on every day, but it’s certainly one you’ll think of.
YOU’D PAY $40 full price.
The Others
Mr Hugh White Pony Cabernet Blend 2019
x 2 bottles
Victoria
91pts Halliday Wine Companion
Hugh Cuthbertson (a.k.a. Mr. Hugh) has worked in the wine industry for nearly 40 years. Done with appealing to the masses, he now crafts exclusive small batches of high quality wine to enjoy with his friends and family, so the fact that we were able to get our hands on some is seriously exciting! Beautifully perfumed, the inviting bouquet is layered with ripe plum, cedar and cloves, and the elegant palate is delicately poised with berries and a touch of mint. From vines originally used for blending, Hugh recognised the quality of the fruit they were producing and gave internationally acclaimed wine critic, Huon Hooke, a glass of his straight cabernet franc. Upon asking whether it was worthy as a standalone wine, Huon’s response was, “Yes. It is very good indeed”. And you know what, Huon? We agree!
YOU’D PAY $55 full price.
Watkins Cellar Reserve Shiraz Cabernet 2017
x 2 bottles
Langhorne Creek, SA
The name Watkins might be new to some, but their contributions to the wine industry have pre-dated many. In fact, they’ve been making the wines for many big name South Australian wineries for decades. Walk into their cellar door right on the border of McLaren Vale and the Adelaide Hills, and you’ll never want to leave. I was captured with their cellar reserve wines, the way that the plush fruit balanced so well with the savoury edges. There is no occasion that this wine doesn’t fit. Luckily for us, the same applies to the company of Jo, Sam, and Ben Watkins. Cheers to you, legends!
YOU’D PAY $35 full price.
Starling Shiraz 2020
x 2 bottles
Barossa Valley, SA
Like a good book, wine is not all about what’s on the cover. But we have to say, when you’re getting great vino in some super sleek packaging, it’s a big bonus. This is the Barossa classic with a modern edge. Fruit-driven and rich, it hits every corner of your palate with pleasing intensity. The oak-imparted tannins make for a ripper time with some charred meat or veg, perfect for that easy weeknight in.
YOU’D PAY $35 full price.
Reschke Reserve Shiraz 2020
x 2 bottles
Limestone Coast, SA
94pts Sam Kim | 94pts WineState Magazine | 5 Stars Sam Kim | 4 Stars WineState Magazine
South Australia’s Limestone Coast is not quite as famous as a few neighbouring regions, and as a result the value to be found there is staggering. Take this delicious shiraz from a rock solid mofo fave producer. At this price, get set for your mind to be blown!
It’s got beautiful intensity, with ripe raspberry highlights on the nose, and a velvety-smooth palate. Add in some earthiness and black fruits, plus a few seeds of vanilla bean and you’ll see why we are impressed. It’s a hearty wine for celebrating life, effortlessly matching to all kinds of winter fare and not having to think twice as you crack open a second or third bottle.
YOU’D PAY $25 full price.
Raw Power Shiraz 2020
x 1 bottle
South Australia
The wine that is Raw Power by name, and Raw Power by nature! This South Aussie shiraz has quite the following in the USA and has all the bold flavours and rich palate you would expect. It’s pronounced and powerful on the nose with toasted coconut oak notes from the time spent in American oak. The palate is full of dark chocolate, black cherries and plums in a rich and robust body. Tannins are present and beg for a delicious BBQ’d meat. If you like wine big and you like wine powerful, give this one a go.
YOU’D PAY $25 full price.
Domaine Gayda Flying Solo Grenache Syrah 2021
x 2 bottles
France
Domaine Gayda is one of our favourite wineries in France. Started as a staging post for weary travellers and their horses all the way back in 1749. In 2004, the property was converted into a winery, accommodation and restaurant. The winery source grapes from throughout the Languedoc region to make wines in both traditional and modern styles - and look, we love them both.
‘Flying Solo’ is an epically delicious wine, a 60/40 blend of grenache and syrah, from the little village of Minervois, that happens to also be one of the top places for wine growing in southern France. A wine of medium-body, with soft tannins, a smooth palate and an energetic burst of bright red fruits. Simply enjoyable, gluggable and relax-on-the-deck-able wine. Yum.
YOU’D PAY $22 full price.
