Product Info:
Lake's Folly Cabernets is a blend of Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Petit Verdot, and Shiraz made from low-yielding, estate-grown, hand-picked fruit. The fruit is open-fermented producing softer, more subtle tannins, and then transferred to large format casks for six months for settling, and then into small French oak barriques (new, one-year-old and two-year-old) for approximately one year before bottling. Excellent long-term cellaring potential of up to 20 years, depending on the vintage.
Maker:
Established in 1963 by Doctor Max Lake, Lake's Folly was the first new vineyard in the Hunter Valley last century. In early 2000 Lake's Folly was purchased by Peter and Lee Fogarty and family who, along with Hunter-born and bred winemaker, Rodney Kempe, have continued to maintain the integrity and direction of this significant vineyard.
There is an old saying that the wine is made in the vineyard (good fruit makes good wine). Most of the Lakes Folly Cabernet vines are now more than 50 years old. This means that over the years, the vines have ‘self-regulated’. This natural low cropping gives the grapes better consistency of flavour. The terroir, which is a rare combination of volcanic hill, alluvial creek flat and south-easterly aspect, is ideal for the production of fine wines. The vines are pruned heavily for low production high quality fruit, and trellised with vertical shoot positioning, which gives more reliable flavour even in difficult years. Maintaining a true ‘estate’ philosophy allows Lakes Folly to fully express the terroir of this particular site.
Crop levels are also critical in achieving complexity. Needless to say, growing all their own fruit at the Folly enables them to be super diligent in achieving these goals, the weather having the last say on the fruit intensity for a particular year. With the old vines, low crop levels, and good canopy management, we are consistently presented with above average fruit. Throw in some traditional winemaking, French oak and you have a unique distinguished single site wine. Their two flagship wines, a Cabernet blend and a Chardonnay, are made in limited quantities and are grown, vintaged, and made on the estate. The wine styles are restrained and elegant, showing finesse and complexity. They have clarity of structure and great length of flavour.
Vineyard:
There is an old saying that the wine is made in the vineyard (ie good fruit makes good wine). Most of our Cabernet vines are now more than 50 years old. This means that over the years, the vines have ‘self-regulated’. This natural low cropping gives the grapes better consistency of flavour. The terroir, which is a rare combination of volcanic hill, alluvial creek flat and south-easterly aspect, is ideal for the production of fine wines. The vines are pruned heavily for low production high quality fruit, and trellised with vertical shoot positioning, which gives more reliable flavour even in difficult years. Maintaining a true ‘estate’ philosophy (ie grown, vintaged and bottled on the estate) allows us to fully express the terroir of this particular site.
Crop levels are also critical in achieving complexity (not to mention canopy management, irrigation etc). Needless to say, growing all our own fruit at the Folly enables us to be super diligent in achieving these goals, the weather having the last say on the fruit intensity for a particular year. With the old vines, low crop levels, and good canopy management, we are consistently presented with above average fruit. Throw in some traditional winemaking, French oak and you have a unique distinguished single site wine.
Nose - Dusty, Herbal, Redcurrant
Initially dusty, faintly herbal aromas of cassis, blackberries, blueberries and raspberries are backed by nuances of underbrush and lifted by a sweet floral perfume.
Palate - Elegant, Tightly Knit, Vibrant Forest Fruit
Medium to full-bodied, with a supple, elegant palate of vibrant black, red and blue berries tightly knit with sweet cedary oak and underpinned by fine, silky tannins, its long and superbly controlled
Finish - Fine, Luscious, Bright Acids
As it breathes it reveals more mouthfilling but finely balanced fruit sweetness, intensity and lusciousness, finishing with typically bright acids and length of flavour
A 60/22/12/6% blend of cabernet, shiraz, petit verdot and merlot, open fermented and matured in French oak. A typically elegant Folly, and has taken full advantage of the vintage; cassis, redcurrant, cedar and wisp of earth typical of the Hunter Valley are all to be had. - James Halliday, 95 Points.
A classical modern Folly red that does take time to flesh out in the glass. Initially dusty, faintly herbal aromas of cassis, blackberries, blueberries and raspberries are backed by nuances of underbrush and lifted by a sweet floral perfume. Medium to full-bodied, with a supple, elegant palate of vibrant black, red and blue berries tightly knit with sweet cedary oak and underpinned by fine, silky tannins, its long and superbly controlled. As it breathes it reveals more mouthfilling but finely balanced fruit sweetness, intensity and lusciousness, finishing with typically bright acids and length of flavour. - Jeremy Oliver, 95 Points.
The Finer Details
Style - Red Wine
Varietal - Cabernet Sauvignon 60%, Shiraz 22%, Petit Verdot 12%, Merlot 6%
Country - Australia
Region - Hunter Valley, New South Wales
Vintage - 2013
Bottle Size - 750ml
ABV - 12.6%
