Product Description:
The Lake's Folly Cabernets 2023 is a stunning wine that showcases the excellence of the 2023 vintage. A blend of Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Petit Verdot, and Shiraz, the wine offers a beautifully perfumed nose with floral, violet aromas, and layers of mulberry and black olive fruits, enhanced by subtle hints of cedar. Medium-bodied yet rich, the wine reflects the great potential of this vintage. On the palate, the black fruit flavours—dark cherry, mulberry, and olives—are beautifully cradled by the influence of French oak. True to Lake’s Folly’s signature style, this wine boasts exceptional length and persistence. A blend of traditional techniques and modern expertise, the 2023 Cabernets shows the power and finesse that the estate is known for. With excellent long-term cellaring potential, this wine is sure to evolve beautifully over the next 20 years.
Maker:
Lake’s Folly is a testament to the visionary spirit and dedication of its founders. Established in 1963 by Dr. Max Lake, the winery was the first boutique vineyard in the Hunter Valley and remains one of the most respected names in Australian winemaking. Today, under the stewardship of Peter and Lee Fogarty, and with the expertise of winemaker Rodney Kempe, Lake’s Folly continues to craft its two flagship wines—Cabernet blend and Chardonnay—with unwavering attention to detail. The focus on producing small quantities of premium, estate-grown fruit reflects the estate’s commitment to quality over quantity, allowing each wine to showcase the unique terroir of the region.
The philosophy behind Lake’s Folly is simple yet profound: great wines come from great vineyards. With over 50-year-old vines, the estate’s terroir—characterised by a rare combination of volcanic hill, alluvial creek flat, and south-easterly aspect—provides the ideal conditions for growing world-class wine grapes. The philosophy also embraces sustainability, ensuring that every step of the winemaking process, from vineyard management to bottling, is done on-site to express the true character of the land. Through traditional winemaking techniques, including handpicking, open fermentation, and French oak maturation, Lake’s Folly wines are crafted to be elegant, complex, and capable of aging gracefully. This approach results in wines with clarity of structure, finesse, and the hallmark length and persistence that Lake’s Folly wines are renowned for.
Vineyard | Lake's Folly Cabernets:
Lake’s Folly vineyard is located in the Lower Hunter Valley, one of the most prestigious wine regions in Australia. The estate is renowned for its rare combination of volcanic hill and alluvial creek flat soils, which creates the ideal conditions for growing premium wine grapes. The vineyard’s unique terroir is the driving force behind the distinct character of Lake’s Folly wines. Cabernet Sauvignon, the estate’s flagship variety, thrives in these conditions, producing low yields of intensely flavoured grapes that are the hallmark of Lake’s Folly Cabernets. The vines are over 50 years old, with each vine carefully managed to produce only the highest quality fruit. This long-term commitment to the land has allowed Lake’s Folly to consistently craft some of Australia’s most collected and celebrated Cabernet blends.
Lake's Folly’s Cabernet blend is made from a mix of Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Petit Verdot, and Shiraz, sourced exclusively from the estate. The handpicked grapes are open-fermented, creating soft, subtle tannins, and then aged in French oak barrels to add complexity and structure. This traditional approach to winemaking, coupled with the estate’s commitment to sustainability, ensures that every vintage is an expression of the land and the dedication of its caretakers. The wine’s powerful, yet elegant structure, combined with its fine tannins and long finish, makes it a perfect candidate for long-term aging. It’s a true representation of the region’s potential, and one that can be enjoyed for years to come.
Tasting Notes:
NOSE: Floral, Fresh, Complex
The nose is perfumed with floral, violet aromas that intertwine with the ripe fruit notes of mulberry, dark cherry, and black olive. Hints of cedar add complexity, creating an elegant and aromatic profile.
PALATE: Rich, Balanced, French Oak Influence
Medium-bodied with rich black fruit flavours of dark cherry, mulberry, and olive. The French oak provides a subtle structure, enhancing the wine’s complexity without overwhelming the fruit. The tannins are soft yet firm, adding depth and balance to the wine.
FINISH: Long, Persistent, Structured
Long and persistent, with the wine’s acidity and tannin structure ensuring a clean, balanced conclusion. The lingering notes of black fruit and oak offer a satisfying and refined aftertaste.
Reviews + Accolades:
Perfumed nose of floral, violet aromas with mulberry and black olive fruits, and hints of cedar. While still medium-bodied, it is a slightly riper, richer wine, reflective of the great vintage. Fresh black fruit of dark cherry, mulberry and olives, cradled by stylish French oak and showing the typical length and persistence of a great Lake's Folly Cabernets. 13.0% Alcohol. 96/100 points
The Finer Details
Style - Red Wine
Varietal - Cabernet Sauvignon, Shiraz, Merlot, Petit Verdot
Country - Australia
Region - Hunter Valley, New South Wales
Vintage - 2023
Bottle Size - 1.5L
ABV - 13%