New Vintage Releases Now Available! | April 2024
We’re pleased to announce the much-anticipated release of our newest vintages: Lake’s Folly 2022 Red and 2023 Chardonnay, which are now available!
2022 and 2023 Vintage Summary
The growing season leading up to the 2022 vintage (August 2021 through to January 2022) was very ‘kind’, and saw our early-picked varietals of Chardonnay, Shiraz, Merlot and Petit Verdot looking great at harvest time. A change in weather towards the end of February/early March, brought rainfall which proved a challenge whilst we waited for the Cabernet Sauvignon to ripen (Cabernet is the last to be harvested on our estate each year) though it ultimately succumbed to the conditions and we took the decision to not harvest the Cabernet (the first time on record this has happened). As a result, the 2022 Red (typically Cabernet-dominant) has no Cabernet in the finished wine and is a blend of 47% Shiraz, 34% Merlot and 19% Petit Verdot. Unique, in that this has not happened before, yet, we can assure you the wine is excellent and a true testament to this site.
After the 2022 vintage, significant rain continued throughout the winter, but the skies cleared a few months before the start of vintage 2023. It’s safe to say that 2023 is one of the best vintages we have witnessed, and the success of this particular vintage can also be attributed to the efforts and commitment of our hard-working vineyard team who persisted during the challenges presented to us with the weather conditions during part of the growing season, before harvest.
Lake’s Folly 2023 Chardonnay 95 / 100
Intense pear and white peach aromas with hints of lemon peel, supported by finest quality French oak. The palate displays its hallmark traits of great line and length of flavour, with pear fruits also dominating the palate. It is structured and classy, medium-weight with seamless well-integrated oak and a long, stylish acidity. A wine for the ages – drink while young or cellar for 10 to 12 years, easily. Alcohol 14.0%
Lake’s Folly 2022 Red Blend 95+ / 100
Bright, lifted fruits of mulberries and hints of cedary oak. This wine is clean and vibrant with lovely richness from generous fruits; again, mulberries dominate the palate. Wonderful balance, perfect supporting French oak and fine-grained tannins – yum! Lovely as a young wine, though should also imagine it as a great 10+ years prospect - even without its typical Cabernet component. Alcohol 13.0%
In short, both wines are excellent, however with volumes down as a result of lower-than-usual cropping levels, we expect they may sell out in record time for this release.
You can place your order online by clicking here
Please enjoy!
Rodney Kempe
Chief Winemaker
