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 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 one any one of these:
An iconic Penfolds Grange 2015 worth $900 (1 in 100 chance)
A 96pt Barossa Valley shiraz worth $75 (1 in 10 chance)
A single vineyard Heathcote shiraz worth $60
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
Lou Miranda Estate Golden Lion Reserve Shiraz 2017
Barossa Valley, SA
96pt Sam Kim | 5 Stars Sam Kim
For the first time in the history of the ‘Fo, we’ve got the Golden Lion RESERVE shiraz in stock. It’s from the excellent 2017 vintage and feels kinda like welding a jet engine to the back of their regular shiraz. Strap in tight cos it’s gonna be a wild ride. In the glass, the colour is a deep crimson red and there’s lifted aromas of plum, pepper, vanilla and mocha. The palate is full and generous with dark fruits, interwoven spice and savoury tannins. Lou Miranda has included American oak in the ageing regime on this, adding a touch of coconut and further vanilla to the wine. It’s ready to go with a big ole’ steak right now or will happily nap in your cellar for 15 years. This big boy is here for you now and in the future.
YOU’D PAY $75 full price.
Wild Card Wine #3
Greens Vineyards Cuvee Stephen Thomas Shiraz 2017
Heathcote, VIC
Single Vineyard | Boutique Producer
This wine is made by the legendary Sergio Carlei from the famous Cambrian soils of Heathcote. The region is famed for it’s medium-bodied, peppery and powerful shiraz. At three-years-old, this wine is looking the goods with a nose full of plums, spice and mocha aromas, and followed by classic Heathcote pepper on the palate. What a delight!
YOU’D PAY $60 full price.
The Other Wines
Barossa Boy Cheeky Tilly Riesling 2019
Eden Valley, SA
95pts Barossa Wine Show | Gold Medal Barossa Wine Show | 90pts Wine Front | Boutique Producer | Hand-picked
From the beautiful bottle to the stunning wine, we are very impressed by the Cheeky Tilly riesling by newcomer Barossa Boy. The fruit for this wine is from Eden Valley and displays sherbet and talc on the nose, followed by grapefruit and citrus on the palate. It is bright and lovely, dry and textural with a super-herbaceous, pithy, saline finish. Super interesting, great food wine.
YOU’D PAY $30 full price.
Shiraz 2018
Victoria
It doesn’t need to be complicated. One of our favourite under-the-radar Victorian producers has taken fruit from two of the state’s top shiraz regions, Heathcote and the Yarra Valley, to create a silky smooth and medium-bodied cool climate wine. It’s got blackberry, plum, spice and a bit of toastiness from time spent in oak. The winemaker didn’t fine or filter the wine, so it’s a great option for vegans as well. K.I.S.S. - Keep it simple shiraz.
YOU’D PAY $30 full price.
Penley Estate Cabernet Sauvignon 2019
Coonawarra, SA
5 Red Star Halliday Rated Winery | Women in Wine
This is our best quaffing Coonawarra Cab. So approachable and, unlike many a Cabernet, ready to be enjoyed in its youth. Medium bodied yet dark in colour and plush berries over the palate, you can expect all the hallmarks and uniqueness that put Coonawarra on the map. Smooth texture and well integrated tannin work well alongside generous dashes of soft spice and a finish that’ll have you grabbing the bottle and investigating all the specs for yourself. Your wine journey isn’t complete without sampling all the Penley Estate has to offer and we feel this little gem is the best place to start. Bon voyage!
YOU’D PAY $25 full price.
Chardonnay 2017
Adelaide Hill, SA
5 Star Halliday Rated Winery | Single Vineyard
For less than a tenner, I challenge you to find a better chardonnay than this! It’s fresh to the ‘fo from a brand new producer, who we hope you will be seeing a lot more of. This is excellent drinking - tropical on the nose with white peach and guava providing a captivating aroma. Rather than being saturated, it’s all rather gentle and pretty with grapefruit adding some zest. Fruit flows over the plate which is gently assertive. It is persistent with good length and a driving acid keeping things fresh. Now you know about the wine - are you willing to take the challenge?
YOU’D PAY $25 full price.
Gapsted Limited Release Pinot Grigio 2020
King Valley, VIC
What can’t Gapsted do? They are an absolute Alpine winemaking powerhouse and this grigio is just an entry into their world of reds and whites. The wine is refreshing and herbaceous, with delicate florals and crisp apple. It’s bright and nervy on the palate. Deeee-lish!
YOU’D PAY $25 full price.
Domaine Gayda Flying Solo Grenache Syrah 2019
Languedoc-Roussillon, France
Vegan-friendly
Domaine Gayda 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. They source grapes from throughout the Languedoc region to make wines in both traditional and modern styles. This Flying Solo wine is a 60/40 blend of grenache and syrah from Minervois, one of the top areas in the region. It’s medium-bodied with soft tannins, a smooth palate and an energetic burst of bright red fruits. Simply enjoyable, gluggable and relax-on-the-deck-able wine.
YOU’D PAY $22 full price.
Shiraz 2020
Langhorne Creek, SA
5 Star Halliday Rated Producer | Vegan-friendly
Hello amazing value South Aussie shiraz! If you are a shiraz lover, keen on the generosity and flavour-power of the South Australian style... keep reading. This wine is from one of the leading (warmer) regions and a producer who really knows what they are doing in the vineyard and winery. It’s classic full-bodied shiraz with fruit aplenty - rich plums, dark cherries and fresh dates. The nose is full of spice, which continues on the palate, which is plush and full of soft smooth tannins.
YOU’D PAY $22 full price.
Vinalba Malbec 2020
Mendoza, Argentina
This Argentinian beauty in a bottle is rich, ripe and robust, delivering plenty of bang for your buck. It’s the perfect weeknight quaffer - one that’s going to pamper you on the palate - not punch you in the hip pocket.
YOU’D PAY $22 full price.
Clare Wine Co Cabernet Sauvignon 2016
Clare Valley, SA
5 Star Halliday Rated Winery | Single Vineyard
Clare and cabernet go together like peas and carrots; thanks to typically warm S.A. days yet surprisingly cool evenings due to some serious elevation (480m for this specific vineyard, to be precise). The result is powerful and dark fruit notes alongside graceful elegance with natural retention of acidity to provide all the length you could hope for. Clare Wine Co. has secured a vineyard in the highly sought after sub region of Polish Hill with vines now over 20 years old. With a good few years under its belt, this drop is ready for the cap to be popped and enjoyed with your nearest and dearest.
YOU’D PAY $20 full price.
Rosa & Dito Rosado 2020
Spain
Rosa & Dito is more of an accompaniment to the fun than an attention-grabbing stage-hog, the ideal wine for cracking out on a whim whenever a mate drops by unannounced. The effect is clear. Pouring out a few glasses of this says “let’s forget about life for a moment, and give our undivided attention to enjoying the moment and the company of good friends”. If you like your feet in flip-flops, your food eaten with fingers and your rosé crisp, this is the wine for you.
YOU’D PAY $18.5 full price.
Sauvignon Blanc 2019
McLaren Vale, SA
This sauv blanc reminds us the the McLaren Vale region is much more diverse than the red wines it is famous for. Light and lifted, fruity and fresh, you won’t need a reason to open a bottle. With food or without, it’s a classic sauv and delicious!
YOU’D PAY $18 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.
