The palate is expansive and gently fruity, with excellent fruit clarity and softness. Overall, the wine is beautifully lemony and full-flavoured. Multi-vineyard sourcing, including from the Soldier Settler vineyard in the Broke Fordwich subregion. Hand-picked fruit, cool-ferment and early bottling to preserve freshness. Alcohol: 11.5%. Closure: screwcap. Date tasted: Feb 2024. Drink: 2024-2029. Price: $48. Rating: 96/100.

Australia's first boutique winery, Lake's Folly Cabernets is an Australian wine treasure. More Bordeaux in nature than most, the Cabernets is a wine of pristine purity and elegance. With a sense of place that can be tasted in every bottle across all vintages, Lake's Folly Cabernets is a must have for all serious wine collectors and lovers. The 2010 is a young, robust version that will require some time in the cellar to really show its complex characteristics and refined palate.

The Leogate Estate tradition of bringing grapes into the winery from districts external to the Hunter Valley has continued in 2021 for the winemaking of the “Gatecrasher” series. This Cabernet Sauvignon was made from grapes grown on an isolated parcel from a smaller block on our certified organic vineyard located in the Central Ranges NSW. These magnificent vines were planted together in pairs, and the trunks trained over each other along the wire so producing fewer but richer bunches

One of the benchmark wines of the Hunter Valley, Lake’s Folly Cabernet blend is an elegant perfumed style displaying violet, blackcurrant, earthy characters, fine-grained tannins and underlying savoury oak. The wine is open fermented followed by maturation in 300 gallon casks for six months followed by 12 months maturation in an equal combination of new, one and two year old French oak barriques.

De Iuliis (De - uli - iss) wines are known for their trademark regionality and commitment to showcasing the very best the Hunter Valley has to offer. Their Shiraz is a fine balance between power and subtlety. Spice driven aromas with mild hints of the berry fruit to come on the palate. Blackberry, raspberry and dark cherry come to the fore and are in harmony with the round, soft tannins.

Bimbadgen Ridge Shiraz Cabernet Merlot is a medium bodied wine that combines the firm fruity characters of Shiraz with the length and finish of Cabernet and soft fleshy Merlot.

First Creek are really winning over a lot of new fans, especially wine drinkers who may have previously not given the Hunter Valley its fair dues. In the glass: Deep garnet to purple. On the nose: Black and blueberry fruit, and spice. On the palate: Medium to full-bodied with luscious texture and soft tannins. Showing black cherry, blueberry and vanilla alongside red liquorice notes. Long and moreish.