Overview
The 2012 Lake's Folly Cabernets 750ml is a refined and highly collectible Cabernet Sauvignon blend from one of Australia's most historic boutique wineries. Established in 1963 by Dr Max Lake, Lake's Folly is widely recognised as Australia's first boutique winery and has earned an enduring reputation for producing elegant, age-worthy wines from its Hunter Valley estate.
Produced in limited quantities and grown, vintaged and bottled entirely on the estate, Lake's Folly Cabernets has become an institution among Australian fine wine collectors. The 2012 vintage exemplifies the winery's signature style of restraint, finesse and complexity, offering a sophisticated expression of Cabernet-based winemaking with exceptional ageing potential.
Vintage Conditions
The 2012 growing season in Hunter Valley delivered fruit of excellent quality, allowing Lake's Folly to craft a wine with purity, balance and varietal definition. Careful vineyard management and favourable ripening conditions resulted in Cabernet fruit with vibrant acidity, fine tannin structure and concentrated flavour.
The vintage produced wines of elegance and longevity, perfectly suited to the classic Lake's Folly house style.
Product Highlights
| Attribute |
Details |
| Producer |
Lake's Folly |
| Vintage |
2012 |
| Region |
Hunter Valley, New South Wales |
| Country |
Australia |
| Variety |
Cabernet Sauvignon Blend |
| Volume |
750ml |
| Critic Score |
95 Points |
| Cellaring |
Through 2032+ |
| Style |
Elegant Medium to Full-Bodied Red Wine |
Tasting Notes
Appearance
Deep ruby red with excellent brightness and maturity.
Aroma
Gentle and elegant, displaying aromas of cassis, dark plum, cranberry and fresh cedar, layered with subtle chocolate oak, violet florals and dusty herbal nuances.
Palate
Refined and beautifully structured, offering vibrant red and black berry fruits with a mouthwatering freshness. The wine builds intensity across the palate while maintaining remarkable poise and balance.
Finish
Long, focused and persistent, supported by fine dusty tannins, cedary oak and savoury undertones that contribute complexity and sophistication.
Winemaking
Lake's Folly Cabernets is produced exclusively from estate-grown fruit in Hunter Valley and remains one of the winery's two flagship wines. Crafted in limited quantities, the wine reflects a philosophy centred on elegance, structure and vineyard expression.
Under the guidance of winemaker Rodney Kempe, careful fruit selection and restrained winemaking techniques allow the purity of the fruit and the character of the vineyard to remain at the forefront.
Why Buy This Wine
- Produced by Australia's first boutique winery, established in 1963
- One of Australia's most collectible Cabernet blends
- Estate-grown, vintaged and bottled in Hunter Valley
- Awarded 95 Points by Jeremy Oliver
- Classic expression of elegance, finesse and balance
- Produced in limited quantities each vintage
- Excellent cellaring potential through 2032 and beyond
Food Pairing
The 2012 Lake's Folly Cabernets pairs beautifully with:
- Roast lamb with rosemary
- Beef Wellington
- Duck breast with berry reduction
- Slow-braised beef cheeks
- Aged cheddar and hard cheeses
Serving Temperature: 16–18°C
Cellaring Potential
Already showing excellent development and complexity, the 2012 Lake's Folly Cabernets continues to possess the freshness and structure required for further ageing.
Recommended drinking window: Now–2032+
Critic Scores & Reviews
| Critic |
Score |
| Jeremy Oliver |
95 Points |
"Gentle and elegant, this sophisticated cabernet blend unfolds a primary, pastille-like bouquet of vibrant cassis, dark plums, cranberries and fresh cedar/chocolate oak."
— Jeremy Oliver
