The Lucky Dip Case is back! Last 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 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.
The twelfth wine is the wildcard and could be one any one of these:
An iconic Penfolds Grange 2015 worth $900 (1 in 100 chance)
A 96pt Adelaide Hills shiraz worth $65 (1 in 10 chance)
A mofo fave Coonawarra 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
Shiraz 2015
Adelaide Hills, SA
96pts Tyson Stelzer | 94pts Campbell Mattinson | 94pts James Halliday | 5 Red Star Halliday Rated Winery
Adelaide Hills shiraz, especially one of this quality, can be the best of both worlds. You get all the dark fruits like black cherry and plum, but with herbal notes, some pepper and a hint of spicy oak. It’s shiraz through and through, but with a softer edge. Perfect for pleasing a crowd of folks that think they know how the variety should be. Give them all a glass of this and everyone wins!
YOU’D PAY $65 full price.
Wild Card Wine #3
Penley Estate Special Select Shiraz 2018
Coonawarra, SA
5 Red Star Halliday Rated Winery | Women in Wine | Vegan-friendly
Championing our nations’ women in wine and punching out above par quality wines every single vintage. Speaking of vintage, 2018 churned out a lower yield, meaning less wine so jump on this quick sticks. Expect classic Coonawarra characteristics of a medium body, darkened berry and forest fruits, inky in the glass and spine straightening structure with fine tannins providing a cedary and herbaceous finish. Penley Estate have worked hard to bring Coonawarra’s style to the modern drinker, without losing its history or connection to place. Now officially vegan as well. Reason enough to drink to that!
YOU’D PAY $50 full price.
The Other Wines
Chardonnay 2020
Margaret River, WA
5 Red Star Halliday Rated Winery
This chardy is proudly (and secretly) brought to you by a 5 red star Halliday producer, one of the Margaret River big dogs renowned for making top-notch juice. Staying true to WA chardy, this limited release vino has that creamy texture you know and love and, if you don’t know it, you will love it. Zesty with citrus notes, the grapefruit and melon flavours are refreshing like that first ocean swim of the summer. Say g’day to long afternoons and crisp finishes, mofos.
YOU’D PAY $33 full price.
Shiraz 2018
Clare Valley, SA
This is a deep, sweetly fruited and moreish shiraz from Clare Valley. A perfect settle-into-the-sofa wine with a bit of good TV on. There’s blackberries, raspberries and a solid lick of licorice and coffee to add some compelling complexity. It’s soft and supple and even the tannins are determined to let you have a good time. Cellar if you like, but there’s no need, really.
YOU’D PAY $30 full price.
Pinot Noir Blend 2018
Adelaide Hills, SA
92pts Sam Kim | 4.5 Stars Sam Kim
Everyone knows that the Adelaide Hills region makes ripper pinot noir. But those in-the-know, know that they also excel at cool climate, spicy syrah. In this case, the producer has combined the two, to make a vibrantly wonderful blend. The savouriness from pinot has been blended with the spice from syrah, the elegance of the former and the depth of the latter. The wine has been aged for over a year in barrel before blending and is ready to go. Light to medium-bodied, full of both bright and brooding fruit and a long and savoury finish.
YOU’D PAY $28 full price.
Cabernet Sauvignon 2018
Great Southern, WA
This is lovely cabernet for the money. Lean, bright and tastefully structured, it hits all the right notes at all the right times. Blackberry, mulberry and softly-spoken coffee ground aromatics make for some lovely easy drinking. It finishes long and elegant. There’s plenty going on, but it won’t make you feel guilty for cracking on a weeknight. It’s indulgent, but measured.
YOU’D PAY $28 full price.
Cabernet Shiraz 2015
Wrattonbully, SA
Boutique Producer
I can almost guarantee you’ve never heard of this producer and likewise, almost guarantee that you will like this wine! Firstly, it’s the classic Aussie shiraz cabernet blend, grown in the terra rossa over limestone soils of Wrattonbully, that are famous for producing wonderful red wines. Secondly, at five years old, after extended time in French and American oak, this wine is at the start of a great drinking window. It’s brimming with spiced berries, cedar and soft oak tannins. It’s medium-bodied and all the better for it - suiting all sorts of meat dishes, though I’d go for roast veggies or a Moussaka, if you are feeling fancy.
YOU’D PAY $28 full price.
Roc De Belame Cotes de Gascogne
Sauvignon Blanc 2019
Gascogne, France
This sauvignon blanc is full of pears, peaches and some flintiness on the nose. On the palate it is a completely dry wine, but has a certain richness with hints of honey, compote and some citrus to contrast. It’s super lively with a nice balance of fruit sweetness (yet in a dry wine) and minerality.
YOU’D PAY $25 full price.
Riesling 2019
Barossa, VIC
94pts Sam Kim | 91pts James Halliday | 5 Star Halliday Rated Winery
The Barossa Valley’s modern history started with the settlement of German immigrants, making it an ideal place for old vine riesling, the variety that Germany is most renowned for. This one comes from 100-year old vines and has a nose of lime and ripe stonefruits. The palate continues this thread with lively acidity, a bit of minerality and a refreshing finish. Prost!
YOU’D PAY $25 full price.
Pinot Gris 2020
King Valley, VIC
Single Vineyard
There is 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. This has become the go to gris for many a mofo over the years so if this is your first run-in with this runaway success, welcome. If you’re already aware of this gorgeous gris, we know you’ll enjoy the 2020 oh, so much!
YOU’D PAY $25 full price.
Luigi Bosca Tabu Malbec 2019
Mendoza, Argentina
This malbec carries all the driving fruit intensity expected out of Mendoza with hints of cherry and spice, a smooth texture and ripe tannins. And since it’s a red wine from Argentina, you already know the perfect food pairing - a nice thick cut of steak grilled to perfection.
YOU’D PAY $22 full price.
GSM 2020
South Australia
5 Star Halliday Rated Winery
GSM - the Holy Trinity of South Aussie reds. It’s the simple, but pleasing harmony of the blend that is nearly better than the sum of its parts. This is a ripe and succulent red that shows off the best of all three varieties. Grenache brings red berries, plums and a bit of warmth. Shiraz adds spice and acid. And then mataro contributes a wonderfully floral nose and its famous inky colour. This is a solid and tasty version of the blend, sure to please fans of the style.
YOU’D PAY $22 full price.
M. Chapoutier Tournon Mathilda Rosé 2019
Victoria
This heavenly grenache-based rosé is made by the team from Domaine Tournon, which is the Australian arm of the esteemed M.Chapoutier empire, who are famed for being Rhône pioneers (read: grenache specialists). They have been working in Heathcote for over 20 years and the Rhône Valley for over 200 years (!!!) and are indeed masters of their crafts.
YOU’D PAY $20 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.
