The Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot for this wine is sourced from the Cookoothama Vineyard on the banks of the Murrumbidgee River at Darlington Point in the Riverina. Deep red in appearance with a youthful purple hue. Aromas of plum and blackberry, infused with hints of spice, herbs and dark chocolate. Concentrated flavours of red berry fruits, mocha and spice with ripe silky tannin and well integrated oak.

Hunter Valley icon Lake's Folly was established by Max Lake and family 1963 and his Cabernet blend has become one of the most collected wines in Australia. Magnificent nose of ripe black fruits - especially blackberry. Hints of Christmas cake, dark fruits with subtle hints of violets. The palate is elegant with restrained power - this is a classy wine - stylish, long palate, seamless with lovely structure and balance. It will age for a long period and be one of the great vintages in years to come in our buyers option.

Established in 1963 by Doctor Max Lake, Lake's Folly was the first new vineyard in the Hunter Valley last century. In early 2000 Lake's Folly was purchased by Peter and Lee Fogarty and family who, along with Hunter-born and bred winemaker, Rodney Kempe, have continued to maintain the integrity and direction of this significant vineyard. There is an old saying that the wine is made in the vineyard (good fruit makes good wine). Most of the Lakes Folly Cabernet vines are now more than 50 years old. This means that over the years, the vines have ‘self-regulated’. This natural low cropping gives the grapes better consistency of flavour. The terroir, which is a rare combination of volcanic hill, alluvial creek flat and south-easterly aspect, is ideal for the production of fine wines. The vines are pruned heavily for low production high quality fruit, and trellised with vertical shoot positioning, which gives more reliable flavour even in difficult years. Maintaining a true ‘estate’ philosophy allows Lakes Folly to fully express the terroir of this particular site. Crop levels are also critical in achieving complexity. Needless to say, growing all their own fruit at the Folly enables them to be super diligent in achieving these goals, the weather having the last say on the fruit intensity for a particular year. With the old vines, low crop levels, and good canopy management, we are consistently presented with above average fruit. Throw in some traditional winemaking, French oak and you have a unique distinguished single site wine. Their two flagship wines, a Cabernet blend and a Chardonnay, are made in limited quantities and are grown, vintaged, and made on the estate. The wine styles are restrained and elegant, showing finesse and complexity. They have clarity of structure and great length of flavour. A first for Lake's Folly, this year's Red is a blend of Shiraz 47%, Merlot 34%, and Petit Verdot 19%. After harvesting the Shiraz, Merlot and Petit Verdot (and Chardonnay) grapes in 2022, they experienced very late harvest rainfall which impacted the Cabernet grapes, leading to the decision to not harvest the Cabernet (the first time on record this has happened at Lake's Folly). The finished result: a unique, unprecedented blend - a cracking wine (albeit without the usual Cabernet component), though in very limited quantities this release! The fruit is open-fermented producing softer, more subtle tannins, and then transferred to large format casks for six months for settling, and then into small French oak barriques (new, one, and two-year-old) for approximately one year before bottling.

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.

The Riverina region was largely unafected by the heavy rainfall experiencedby other parts of New South Wales and this allowed Cael’s Gate to continueproducing their highly sought-after single vineyard wines. The cool night and warm days were the perfect growing environment for ripening grapes and thelack of disease and high sugar content contributed to a perfect harvest. The Cabernet Sauvignon produced by Cael’s Gate is aged in new premiumFrench oak barrels. The wine is beautifully fruited with a complexity of favoursdisplaying black currant, spiced cherry, thyme and cedar notes to tantalise thenose. The palate delivers a succulent fruit intensity and a supple mouthfeelthat is well supported by chalky tannins. The finishing notes are persistent andabundantly flavoursome.

Vintage in Orange was cold, with temperatures never rising above 29degrees. As a result, the harvest was pushed back to April which meant lessstress on the vines and sunburn to the grapes. The slow ripening of grapesduring autumn added wonderful aromas and flavours to the wines. The Cabernet Sauvignon produced by Cael's Gate is aged in new premiumFrench oak barrels. Offering purity and finesse, this wine is beautifullyfragrant on the nose with cassis, blueberry, violet, thyme and toasted nutaromas that lead to a succulent palate displaying excellent weight and persistency. Wonderfully structured by beautifully infused chalky tannins, finishing sturdy and lingering on the palate.

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.

Run Amok Shiraz Cabernet is a blend of Hunter Valley Shiraz and Hilltops Cabernet Sauvignon. Both were fermented in open fermenters and blended prior to bottling. The resulting wine has a purple hue with aromas of earth and spice. The palate reveals flavours of plums, blackcurrants, oak and spice. Pair with rich, creamier dishes such as lamb shanks or fattier meats of wild game.

Aromas of blackcurrant, spices and dark chocolate. Full, flavoursome ripe dark berries, soft silky tannins and a long dry finish

Lifted Cabernet aromas of mulberries with a spicy herbal edge, rich and firm tannins, long persistant finish.