This is the new release cabernets from Lake’s Folly, a producer I’ve started following more closely.  Interestingly, the 2015 vintage is quite different in composition to the 2014.  The 2015 is a blend of 76% cabernet sauvignon, 16% petit verdot and 8% merlot.  That’s, relative to the 2014, 15% more cabernet sauvignon, 6% more petit verdot, 3% less merlot and no shiraz (down from 18%).  2015 is described as a wet growing season, whereas 2014 is regarded as an excellent vintage.  Interesting then that the later ripening varieties of cabernet sauvignon and petit verdot constitute more of the blend in the wetter year of 2015.  If you know why, please chime in.

What then of the wine?  It’s a good release, although it is more sweet fruited than I recall from previous vintages.  Perhaps showing rather than confounding its warm latitude in this vintage?  But don’t get me wrong, it’s a classy wine and I’m both happy to drink and cellar it.  It opens to bay leaf, sweet plum and tobacco aromatics.  The palate has long length, a mid weight body and sweet and balanced red fruit flavours.  The alcohol is only 12.5%.  (Region: Hunter Valley, Rating: Good to Very Good, Drink: now to 2027, Tasted: June, 2017)

Read more:
www.lakesfolly.wine

Other vintages reviewed: