This was in really good shape showing both maturity and freshness. Ripe without being a fruit bomb. Lots of blackcurrant and plum, some vanilla and hints of leather, chocolate and cedar. No urgent rush to drink but it's probably on its plateau, 11yrs now so drink before it turns 15?
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Quality cork and an hour decant, I was surprised (concerned) when the first taste seemed slightly acidic, but subsequent returns to the glass exposed the true class of this wine.
Not sure if it is drinking at its peak (as it may have occurred a year or so ago) but the tannins are fully integrated and the fruit is beautifully fine. Unmistakable fine winemaking.
Not a fruit bomb but a great Hunter Valley wine deserving of its reputation.
An expensive wine but very reliable and enjoyable - just be sure not to hold for too long. Suggest this should be opened 8yrs for perfection but was still enjoyable at 10/11yrs.
Enjoyed with Lake Folly fans (Ave and Nat) although it made them concerned they have kept theirs (earlier vintage) for too long.
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No tasting - spoke to the cellar door. Generally suggest 8-12 yrs drinking window. 2012 was a good vintage (not an excellent one) so best to drink around 10yrs ie now).
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Smoke, liquorice, raspberry with plenty of herbs completing the aroma profile. Light red fruits on the palate, quite good brightness still with moderate depth. Feels like it's right in the slot for drinking now
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Excellent. Similar comments to 2 years ago, though rating is not as high. Lacks depth of richness of many vintages and is ready to drink now. Perhaps aging is hastened by bottle size. Colour: black berry, crimson edges Bouquet: rich juicy black berries, earth, black olives, old spice, leather, vanilla, cedar, vegemite, boot polish Palate: as bouquet, fresh fruit driven, big soft dark plum and cherry fruits black peppery, full bodied though soft and elegant, soft fine grained tannins, pencil shavings, and lingering finish. October 2021
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Appearance is bright, fresh, and clear. Slightly bricked but overall still youthful looking.
Aromas show complex perfume of fresh blackcurrant, blackberry, dry Italian herb, and wet log/forest floor.
On the palate, this is a structured wine. Tannin is definitely grained but not coarse. There is freshness to the midpalate. Crushed fresh blackcurrant, graphite, bell pepper, wild mushroom. Finish on an integrated and grippy cedar/spicy undertone.
I would have never guessed that this is an Australian wine. My first guess would be a good classified growth Bordeaux. Second guess would be a neoclassical Napa cab. Aussy with this much freshness and elegance? Wow. Amazing. This is ready now but will keep for ages. Now til 2035. 93+
Excellent. Unusual vintage with no shiraz: 83% cabernet sauvignon, petit verdot 9%, merlot 8% Colour: black berry, crimson edges Bouquet: rich juicy black berries, earth, black olives, old spice, leather, vanilla, cedar, vegemite, boot polish Palate: as bouquet, fresh fruit driven, big soft dark plum and cherry fruits black peppery, full bodied though soft and elegant, soft fine grained tannins, pencil shavings, and lingering finish. October 2019
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Graphite, redcurrants, cedar box with sweet spices on the nose. On the palate delicious clear fruit with integrated tannins, ringing acid finish. Beautiful balance of sweetness and light.
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Excellent, superb. Much better than a bottle of a couple of weeks ago which was off. 12% alc. tasted alongside 2014 and has more typical Cabernet component, at 83%, no Shiraz, 9% petit Verdot, 8% merlot - a very different blend but also atypical in a different direction. Colour: black berries Bouquet: rich spicey juicy black fruits and olives, vanilla, cedar, vegemite, boot polish Palate: very fresh still, robust, though soft and elegant, big soft dark plum and cherry fruits and tannins, pencil shavings, very fine grained tannins, long clean finish. July 2018
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Good, but very disappointing, given previous comments. Is it because this is a half bottle, an off bottle, or adolescence? Had a 2014 half bottle on same night and similar comments. Curious as I've never had off Follies before. Colour: deep red berries, bright edges Bouquet: charcoal and leather notes, red and blue berries, jungle vegetation Palate: lightish bodied, pencil shavings, leather, black berries cherries and olives, white pepper and spice, clean finish. July 2018
Whistestop Hunter tour (Hunter Valley): Pencil shavings and graphite over savoury brambly blackcurrant. Juicy and spicy, the fruit is subdued and the acidity is quite pointy but otherwise this is long and lovely. Again, time required.
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Appearance: Bright and clear, it has medium ruby color, fading rims and legs. Nose: Clean, with medium intensity aromas of black fruit of black cherry and plum, herbaceous notes of green bell pepper, oak notes of cedar, animal notes of leather, mineral notes of graphite, maturity notes of savory. The wine is developing. Palate: Dry with medium (+) acidity, the wine has medium (+) tannin of ripe and velvety texture, medium alcohol and medium body, showing medium intensity flavors of black fruit of blackberry, plum and dark cherries, oak notes of cedar, sweet spice of clove. The wine has a medium (+) finish. Conclusion: Very good quality Australian Cabernet blend with a reasonably intense nose of nice complexity, the wine has a very juicy palate, with good acidity and freshness while showing a finesse that is rather unique for a wine coming from such a hot region. The flavors are plentiful with fair concentration and also a good finish, it is enjoyable and ready to drink now though can benefit from further ageing of another 3-5 years.
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Hunter Valley - 6 Cellar Doors (Hunter Valley): {cork, 12%, A$65} Essence of light currents, herbs, tobacco. Lightish palate which lacks a lot of concentration and depth, it’s still nicely structured with fine dusty tannins but presents a largely front-palate presence. The only cabernet I tasted all day; it’s hard to find the right context for this. Evidently the cabernet coped with all the 2012 vintage rain than the shiraz, which was a total washout. This is 86% cabernet, with malbec and PV the balance. It’s rather more old-world in style; the herbal quality to this never really leans to harsh unripeness though, despite what you might think from the alcohol level. Still, I doubt this will be a very long living Folly: drink before 2020 is my opinion.
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Excellent, classy wine. 12% alc. Colour: blackberry, crimson edges Bouquet: smokey, green tobacco leaf, herbaceous, cedar, black olives, black cherries and blackberry Palate: as bouquet, plums, dusty, coffee, robust but understated, excellent balance of fruit, soft tannins and very long clean acid finish. September 2014.
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Wine-Ark boys on tour - Hunter Valley 2014 - Day 2 (Hunter Valley): violet, black currant fruit, cedar and spice, pencil shavings and graphite on the nose. In the mouth the wine is quite lean, with savoury black currant, talcy tannin, slight herbaceous. Right up my street. Lovely.
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5/9/2024 - Sita Cellar Likes this wine:
Delicious
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4/23/2024 - GGLT Likes this wine: 94 Points
Another successful vintage from Lakes Folly. Drinking well and years to go.
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11/26/2023 - colinscellar Likes this wine: 91 Points
Barnyard/bret on the nose but not overpowering. Quite clean on the palate with tart red fruit, leather and herbaceousness.
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1/21/2023 - colinscellar Likes this wine: 92 Points
This was in really good shape showing both maturity and freshness. Ripe without being a fruit bomb. Lots of blackcurrant and plum, some vanilla and hints of leather, chocolate and cedar.
No urgent rush to drink but it's probably on its plateau, 11yrs now so drink before it turns 15?
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1/13/2023 - Claret & CdP Gang Likes this wine:
V Bordeaux like on the nose, lovely but new world on the palate but I liked this
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1/5/2023 - BigfootPMH Likes this wine: 93 Points
As good as it gets
Quality cork and an hour decant, I was surprised (concerned) when the first taste seemed slightly acidic, but subsequent returns to the glass exposed the true class of this wine.
Not sure if it is drinking at its peak (as it may have occurred a year or so ago) but the tannins are fully integrated and the fruit is beautifully fine. Unmistakable fine winemaking.
Not a fruit bomb but a great Hunter Valley wine deserving of its reputation.
An expensive wine but very reliable and enjoyable - just be sure not to hold for too long. Suggest this should be opened 8yrs for perfection but was still enjoyable at 10/11yrs.
Enjoyed with Lake Folly fans (Ave and Nat) although it made them concerned they have kept theirs (earlier vintage) for too long.
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12/8/2022 - BigfootPMH Likes this wine: 92 Points
No tasting - spoke to the cellar door. Generally suggest 8-12 yrs drinking window. 2012 was a good vintage (not an excellent one) so best to drink around 10yrs ie now).
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7/30/2022 - CamWheeler wrote: 90 Points
Smoke, liquorice, raspberry with plenty of herbs completing the aroma profile. Light red fruits on the palate, quite good brightness still with moderate depth. Feels like it's right in the slot for drinking now
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1/8/2022 - colinscellar Likes this wine: 91 Points
Lots of eucalyptus on the nose. Sour plum leads the way on the palate with blackcurrant also present. Slightly fungal/barnyardy?
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10/1/2021 - rmarkey Likes this wine: 92 Points
Excellent. Similar comments to 2 years ago, though rating is not as high. Lacks depth of richness of many vintages and is ready to drink now. Perhaps aging is hastened by bottle size.
Colour: black berry, crimson edges
Bouquet: rich juicy black berries, earth, black olives, old spice, leather, vanilla, cedar, vegemite, boot polish
Palate: as bouquet, fresh fruit driven, big soft dark plum and cherry fruits black peppery, full bodied though soft and elegant, soft fine grained tannins, pencil shavings, and lingering finish.
October 2021
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6/27/2020 - NarunP Likes this wine: 93 Points
Blend: unknown but largely Cabernet Sauvignon
Appearance is bright, fresh, and clear. Slightly bricked but overall still youthful looking.
Aromas show complex perfume of fresh blackcurrant, blackberry, dry Italian herb, and wet log/forest floor.
On the palate, this is a structured wine. Tannin is definitely grained but not coarse. There is freshness to the midpalate. Crushed fresh blackcurrant, graphite, bell pepper, wild mushroom. Finish on an integrated and grippy cedar/spicy undertone.
I would have never guessed that this is an Australian wine. My first guess would be a good classified growth Bordeaux. Second guess would be a neoclassical Napa cab. Aussy with this much freshness and elegance? Wow. Amazing. This is ready now but will keep for ages. Now til 2035. 93+
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5/17/2020 - smenzies wrote: 93 Points
decanted and drank immediately. This wine was delicious and at its prime.
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10/6/2019 - rmarkey Likes this wine: 94 Points
Excellent. Unusual vintage with no shiraz: 83% cabernet sauvignon, petit verdot 9%, merlot 8%
Colour: black berry, crimson edges
Bouquet: rich juicy black berries, earth, black olives, old spice, leather, vanilla, cedar, vegemite, boot polish
Palate: as bouquet, fresh fruit driven, big soft dark plum and cherry fruits black peppery, full bodied though soft and elegant, soft fine grained tannins, pencil shavings, and lingering finish.
October 2019
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5/18/2019 - wgmccallum Likes this wine: 93 Points
Graphite, redcurrants, cedar box with sweet spices on the nose. On the palate delicious clear fruit with integrated tannins, ringing acid finish. Beautiful balance of sweetness and light.
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7/22/2018 - chatters wrote:
Lake's Folly Birthday lunch (McLeay Street Bistro, Potts Point): Cedar, plentiful herbaceous notes, black fruits, very eucalyptus, wild blackcurrant. Juicy, fleshy, very Cabernet ,glorious and wet and lovely for me. Marvellous.
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7/22/2018 - rmarkey Likes this wine: 94 Points
Excellent, superb. Much better than a bottle of a couple of weeks ago which was off. 12% alc. tasted alongside 2014 and has more typical Cabernet component, at 83%, no Shiraz, 9% petit Verdot, 8% merlot - a very different blend but also atypical in a different direction.
Colour: black berries
Bouquet: rich spicey juicy black fruits and olives, vanilla, cedar, vegemite, boot polish
Palate: very fresh still, robust, though soft and elegant, big soft dark plum and cherry fruits and tannins, pencil shavings, very fine grained tannins, long clean finish.
July 2018
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7/15/2018 - rmarkey Likes this wine: 85 Points
Good, but very disappointing, given previous comments. Is it because this is a half bottle, an off bottle, or adolescence? Had a 2014 half bottle on same night and similar comments. Curious as I've never had off Follies before.
Colour: deep red berries, bright edges
Bouquet: charcoal and leather notes, red and blue berries, jungle vegetation
Palate: lightish bodied, pencil shavings, leather, black berries cherries and olives, white pepper and spice, clean finish.
July 2018
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11/28/2017 - chatters wrote:
Whistestop Hunter tour (Hunter Valley): Pencil shavings and graphite over savoury brambly blackcurrant. Juicy and spicy, the fruit is subdued and the acidity is quite pointy but otherwise this is long and lovely. Again, time required.
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8/29/2016 - peterchoy wrote: 91 Points
Appearance: Bright and clear, it has medium ruby color, fading rims and legs.
Nose: Clean, with medium intensity aromas of black fruit of black cherry and plum, herbaceous notes of green bell pepper, oak notes of cedar, animal notes of leather, mineral notes of graphite, maturity notes of savory. The wine is developing.
Palate: Dry with medium (+) acidity, the wine has medium (+) tannin of ripe and velvety texture, medium alcohol and medium body, showing medium intensity flavors of black fruit of blackberry, plum and dark cherries, oak notes of cedar, sweet spice of clove. The wine has a medium (+) finish.
Conclusion: Very good quality Australian Cabernet blend with a reasonably intense nose of nice complexity, the wine has a very juicy palate, with good acidity and freshness while showing a finesse that is rather unique for a wine coming from such a hot region. The flavors are plentiful with fair concentration and also a good finish, it is enjoyable and ready to drink now though can benefit from further ageing of another 3-5 years.
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1/17/2015 - graemeg wrote:
Hunter Valley - 6 Cellar Doors (Hunter Valley): {cork, 12%, A$65} Essence of light currents, herbs, tobacco. Lightish palate which lacks a lot of concentration and depth, it’s still nicely structured with fine dusty tannins but presents a largely front-palate presence. The only cabernet I tasted all day; it’s hard to find the right context for this. Evidently the cabernet coped with all the 2012 vintage rain than the shiraz, which was a total washout. This is 86% cabernet, with malbec and PV the balance. It’s rather more old-world in style; the herbal quality to this never really leans to harsh unripeness though, despite what you might think from the alcohol level. Still, I doubt this will be a very long living Folly: drink before 2020 is my opinion.
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9/14/2014 - rmarkey Likes this wine: 94 Points
Excellent, classy wine. 12% alc.
Colour: blackberry, crimson edges
Bouquet: smokey, green tobacco leaf, herbaceous, cedar, black olives, black cherries and blackberry
Palate: as bouquet, plums, dusty, coffee, robust but understated, excellent balance of fruit, soft tannins and very long clean acid finish.
September 2014.
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9/13/2014 - chatters wrote:
Wine-Ark boys on tour - Hunter Valley 2014 - Day 2 (Hunter Valley): violet, black currant fruit, cedar and spice, pencil shavings and graphite on the nose. In the mouth the wine is quite lean, with savoury black currant, talcy tannin, slight herbaceous. Right up my street. Lovely.
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