Matthew Jukes 100 Best Australian Wines 2022/23
November 2022
2021 Laissez Faire Fiano & 2020 Laissez faire riesling
It is impossible to taste Aussie wines made from Italian grape varieties and not compare them to the original European models. So, here we go - a brutally honest assessment of both this wine and also its Campanian competitors. Laissez Faire packs more drama, electricity, raspiness, and varietal accuracy into just one bottle than more Italian examples do into a case. And while there is no Pompei in Frankland River, the talcy minerality that underpins the delicate floral and stone fruit tones is every bit as exhilarating as the fine wines drunk on the Amalfi coast and beyond. This is a monumental Fiano, and it is sold at a price that ought to allow everyone keen to discover this grape's potential to taste it. In addition, Larry Cherubino's elemental winemaking is responsible for 2020 Laissez Faire Riesling - a searingly bright and devastatingly dry Riesling that cleanses your palate and your soul while you sip it. PS - I have been fortunate to taste a huge range of Larry's wines over the past couple of years, including during the various lockdowns, and it would be remiss of me not to point out a handful of life-changing wines. 2019 Cherubino Gingin Chardonnay is the only Chardonnay to which I have given a perfect score outside of Leeuwin's Art Series. 2018 Uovo Grenache is as modern as it is ancient, showing that you do not have to live in McLaren Vale to make a truly stellar Grenache. And finally, two wines that ought to be in the UK in large numbers but are sorely missing from this Report - 2018 Cherubino Cabernet and 2020 Cherubino Chardonnay are exemplars of their styles, demonstrating yet again that this man makes wines that others can only dream of.
The Evolution of Australian Chardonnay - Club Oenologique
December 2022
It started with the ‘liberation’ of some vines from a Penfolds vineyard. Five decades on, Huon Hooke glories in just how far Chardonnay has come down under, with a look at the top current examples.
2020 Cherubino margaret RIver chardonnay
Larry Cherubino has sourced grapes from the north and south of Margaret River: Wilyabrup and Karridale. The bouquet here recalls almond meal, pencil wood, cashew nut and cream cheese, grapefruit chiming in later. It is delicate, refined and subtle in the mouth, but also intense and penetrating, with mouthwatering acidity and a refreshing aftertaste that begs for another sip. Delicious and complete.
96 points
WINNER - New Restaurant of the Year!
November 2022
THE WEST AUSTRALIAN GOOD FOOD GUIDE 2023
frui momento
A collaboration between chef Seth James and winemaker Larry Cherubino, Frui Momento landed in Margaret River with plenty of anticipation. It’s certainly stuck the landing. Rather than wed itself to a paddock-to-plate model, Frui draws on the ocean first and foremost, dedicating an excellent section of the menu largely to things from the sea (charred octopus to wrap in seaweed, say). It makes fast friends with a broad, confident wine list and works just as well in the al fresco section as it does inside a building that nods to Tuscany. The menu proper then shows James’s versatility, tying neatly with smart service. Wins all round.
3478 Caves Road, Wilyabrup WA 6280
2022 Western Australian Boutique and Single Vineyard Wine Show
29 November 2022
Results for the 2022 Western Australian Boutique and Single Vineyard Wine Show have been released where we have once again been very successful. The 2020 Cherubino Dijon Chardonnay won 2 x Trophies. We had a total of 7 x Gold medals, 4 x Silver medals & 7 x Bronze Medals. Full list is as follows:
2020 Cherubino Dijon Chardonnay - 2 x TROPHIES & Gold Medal
Best Chardonnay
White Wine of the Show
GOLD MEDAL
2022 Cherubino Frankland River Riesling
2020 Cherubino Gingin Chardonnay
2020 Cherubino Shiraz Mataro
2021 Laissez Faire Fiano
2020 The Yard Acacia Shiraz
2022 The Yard Channybearup Sauvignon Blanc
SILVER MEDAL
2018 Cherubino Budworth Cabernet Sauvignon
2020 Cherubino Frankland River Shiraz
2022 Cherubino Margaret River Rose
2022 The Yard Riversdale Riesling
BRONZE MEDAL
2018 Cherubino Frankland River Cabernet Sauvignon Clonal Selection
2021 Cherubino Bianco
2021 Laissez Faire Mencia
2020 Laissez Faire Pemberton Pinot Noir
2021 The Yard Riversdale Shiraz
2018 The Yard Cane Cut Gewurztraminer
2021 Pedestal Shiraz
Realm of Riesling
Sunday 4th December 2022
Spend a beautiful afternoon sipping your way around the St George’s College Square, sampling more than 20 Rieslings and Rosés from Great Southern producers. Guests will receive a take-home Riedel Extreme Riesling glass (valued at $40) to properly savour their sips, Asian street eats to accompany the wine, as well as smooth tunes by Turiya Trio.
Participating wineries include:
Alkoomi | Castelli | Capel Vale | Ferngrove | Forest Hill | Gilberts Wines |Howard Park Wines | Lange Estate | Cherubino | Out on a Limb | Plan B! | Plantagenet | Shepherds Hut | Singlefile | 3 Drops | West Cape Howe | Zarephath Wines
Sunday 4th December 2022
3:00 pm - 6:00 pm
St George's College
46 Mounts Bay Road
Crawley WA 6009
Cost - $78.00 per person
James Halliday's Top 100 of 2022
Saturday 19th November
Once again we have been lucky enough to be included in James Halliday's Top 100 wines of 2022. Our Cherubino Margaret River Cabernet was featured as one of the Top 40 Reds over $40.
2020 Cherubino Margaret River Cabernet Sauvignon
It's not common to describe a 2yo cabernet as charming, indeed sensual, but this is what you get here. There's juicy cassis fruit, quality cedary French oak, and perfectly pitched tannins. Moreover, it will gain in richness and complexity over the next 10–15 years.
97 points
2023 Ray Jordan Wine Review
17th November 2022
PRODUCER OF THE YEAR
Where do you start with the wines from Larry Cherubino? The quality of the extensive range of wines that are part of the Cherubino stable is quite breathtaking. He sources from his own vineyards in Frankland River and from Margaret River. The Frankland River properties are some of the most exciting in the State with the introduction of new varieties and clones that are providing him and other winemakers with so many options. It is an extraordinary suite of wines both in depth and breadth that highlight vineyard and regional differences and styles. His winemaking is designed to gently coax the fruit from those exceptional vineyards into wines that are expressive and always supremely balanced.
AWARD WINNING RED - BEST SHIRAZ
2020 Cherubino Frankland River Shiraz
If you ever need evidence of the extraordinary winemaking abilities of Larry Cherubino, this should do the trick. It comes from his Riversdale vineyard using three separate clones, 175, 472 and Waldron. It is a wonderful modern expression of WA shiraz.
2020 CHERUBINO FRANKLAND RIVER SHIRAZ BLOCK 7
An exotically captivating bouquet of cherry and violets says that something special awaits in this terrific shiraz from Cherubino’s Riversdale vineyard. There is power and there is stylishness here with the incredible fruit concentration and driving intensity a product of this excellent vineyard and vintage. Has a gravelly grainy mouth feel which is just so engaging.
97/100
2019 CHERUBINO BUDWORTH CABERNET SAUVIGNON
Silky smooth and elegant cabernet from the special Block 6 within the Riversdale vineyard. There is an ethereal aroma here of violet and red fruit with a cedary blackcurrant overlay. Once you reach the palate you are in a heady zone. Refined and graceful lines based on fine chalky tannins and a liberal well-managed use of oak carry the fruit with ease to a sustained long finish.
97/100
2020 CHERUBINO MARGARET RIVER CABERNET SAUVIGNON
RUNNER UP - BEST CABERNET
Highly perfumed Margaret River cabernet that provides a point of difference to the excellent ‘19. This delivers a velvety smooth palate deep with rich and opulent fruit flavour from this highly concentrated vintage. It is quite effortless as it takes you through the mid-palate and into a stunning long finish. The tannin and oak work on the palate is superb. High class.
98/100
2021 CHERUBINO CHANNYBEARUP PINOT NOIR
You’ve gotta love this baby. It’s from an established vineyard in Pemberton. Exotic aromas of violets and strawberries. The palate has tremendous depth and persistence with the use of oak and tannin management superb. The 1000-litre foudres have ensured the oak and fruit integration is harmonious and complete.
96/100
2021 CHERUBINO MARGARET RIVER CHARDONNAY
This is a more restrained version of this wine, certainly when compared to the concentration and deep power of the ’20. But it remains an excellent wine of refinement and elegance. The fruit and oak balance is well judged, sitting harmoniously as one on a palate this both long and precise.
94/100
2018 CHERUBINO FRANKLAND RIVER CABERNET SAUVIGNON CLONAL SELECTION
This is made from two different clones from the Riversdale vineyard in Frankland River. Rich dark fruit on the nose showing a hint of ironstone and graphite working through the plush chocolatey blackcurrant fruit. Perfectly structured with a firm thread of chalky tannins and well-managed oak. A high class cabernet.
96/100
2020 CHERUBINO FRANKLAND RIVER SHIRAZ
AWARD WINNING RED - BEST SHIRAZ
This wonderful shiraz with its super radiant colour comes from the Riversdale vineyard using three emerging clones 174, 470 and Waldron. It’s a wonderful illustration of how clones can make such a difference. This is an elegantly structured wine of sublime palate feel. It’s deep in colour but glows with bright energy. Grainy chalky and slightly ironstone palate contributions make for a brilliant wine.
98/100
2020 CHERUBINO GINGIN CHARDONNAY
Okay, so this is made from the Gingin clone sourced from the Willows vineyard in the heart of Margaret River. Has a lift of pear and grapefruit on the nose with a subtle hint of toasty oak. It’s pristine and quite pure on the palate with a crunchy acidity. Has a nice precise shape in the mouth.
95/100
2020 LAISSEZ FAIRE PORONGURUP PINOT NOIR
There is a brightness and purity in this Porongurup pinot that is different from the more gamey model from Pemberton. It like its shape and linear structure with the fine chalky acidity and gentle foudre-induced oak sitting comfortably in the background. Energy and drive in this medium-bodied palate.
94/100
2021 LAISSEZ FAIRE MENCIA
I’ve only seen a handful of examples of this Spanish and Portuguese variety in Australia but already I’m starting to like it. Rich dark fruits with lashings of plummy dark cherry and supported by supple tannins. It delivers pure drinking indulgence with its smooth plush palate. Yummo
94/100
2021 CHERUBINO PORONGURUP RIESLING
The steely tension within the tightly held palate is immediately evident. This area near Mount Barker has become a great riesling zone. The wines are delicate yet with persistence. Lime citrus and slightly saline characters emerge. The palate is light but with a crunchy intensity.
96/100
2020 THE YARD JUSTIN SHIRAZ
Shows the engaging perfumes of shiraz from the Justin vineyard. Perfumed plum and dark cherry with a subtle raspberry note. The palate is silky smooth with the fine tannins a feature. This is heady stuff. It’s pure and vibrant with great energy driving to a sustained finish. Love it.
95/100
OTHER AWARD WINNER:
2021 Uovo Frankland River Grenache - Runner up, Best Grenache
James Suckling reviews
19th October 2022
2019 CHERUBINO BUDWORTH CABERNET SAUVIGNON
Crushed stone and blackberry with oyster shell and iodine aromas and flavours. Medium body. Integrated and sophisticated tannins, and a long and serious finish. Complex wine. Drink or hold.
96 points
2018 CHERUBINO FRAKLAND RIVER CABERNET CLONAL SELECTION
Blackcurrants, crushed stone, and oyster shell with some seaweed aromas and flavours. Hints of tar. Medium body, fine and caressing tannins. Delicious finish. So drinkable now but will age beautifully.
95 points
2020 CHERUBINO MARGARET RIVER CHARDONNAY
Delicious nose of salted caramel, apricots, white grapefruits, mangoes and praline. Some nougat. Creamy, phenolic and layered with bright acidity. Medium to full body. Lots going on, with flinty, spicy edges to the bright and fleshy fruit. Long and concentrated. Drink now or hold.
95 points
2020 CHERUBINO GINGIN CHARDONNAY
Attractive, flinty aromas of lemon curd, thyme, rosemary, nutmeg and dried grapefruit. Medium-bodied with bright, persistent acidity. Rounded texture with fresh citrus and dried pear character. Nicely structured with refreshing tannins at the finish. Drink now.
95 points
2021 CHERUBINO CAVES ROAD CHARDONNAY
A very minerally and lemony white with sliced green white peaches and crushed stones. Medium body. Tight and linear finish. Dried lemons at the end. Needs a couple of years to soften. Chablis-like. Drink now.
94 points
2020 CHERUBINO DIJON CHARDONNAY
An intense, compact chardonnay with aromas of salted almonds, buttered toast, pineapples, grapefruits and flint stones. Medium to full body with tangy acidity and a dense and phenolic texture. Long and flinty at the end. Drink now or hold.
94 points
2021 THE YARD RIVERSDALE RIESLING
An expressive nose of sliced peaches, lime zest, lily, jasmine and sweet thyme. Medium-bodied with tight structure. Linear onto the palate with very good drive and clarity. Mineral undertones help articulate the herbs and peachy fruit. Nicely balanced as well. I like the intensity. Drink or hold.
94 points
2022 CHERUBINO GREAT SOUTHERN RIESLING
Very bright and youthful with pink grapefruit, orange blossom and lemon sherbet aromas. At once succulent and racy with tremendous vitality and energy. Very long and focused finish with impressive mineral depth. A very successful cuvee of wines from three sites in this large appellation. Drink or hold.
94 points
2019 CHERUBINO FRANKLAND RIVER CABERNET SAUVIGNON
A medium-bodied red with blackberries, iodine and terra cotta. Polished and refined tannins that are supple and pretty. Juicy fruit. Polished tannins. Very drinkable. Drink now.
93 points
2019 CHERUBINO MARGARET RIVER CABERNET SAUVIGNON
Juicy and delicious with fresh herbs, berries, tobacco, and oyster shell. Medium-bodied. Creamy tannins. Drink or hold.
93 points
2020 PEDESTAL ELEVATION CHARDONNAY
Complex notes of spiced pears, cloves, peach stones, dried lemons, flint and toasted cereals. Medium to full body with spicy and concentrated layers. Phenolic and compact. Drink or hold.
93 points
2022 CHERUBINO FRANKLAND RIVER RIESLING
The slightly oily nose of star fruit is striking, if not overly demonstrative, but this Frankland River dry riesling packs quite a punch on the generous, ripe and very zesty palate. A bit of tannin at the finish, but it’s well integrated. Drink or hold.
93 points
2021 CHERUBINO PORONGURUP RIESLING
Aromas of pears, beeswax, peaches and crushed rosemary. Medium-bodied with silky texture. Rounded and gentle but there is subtle structure framing the palate allowing for lovely clarity and length. Transparent and succulent. Drink or hold.
93 points
2020 CHERUBINO FRANKLAND RIVER SHIRAZ
Aromas of crushed blackberries, plums, blueberries and fresh coffee. Medium- to full-bodied with silky texture and tannins. Fresh and succulent on the palate with a bit of chew at the finish. Seamless and very even on the palate. Drink now.
93 points
2020 THE YARD RIVERSDALE SHIRAZ
Aromas of crushed blackberries, plums, cocoa and espresso. Full-bodied with silky tannins. Very good intensity and density which wraps around the palate. Fresh acidity keeps things from getting too brooding. Nicely composed. Drink now.
93 points
2020 CHERUBINO FRANKLAND RIVER SHIRAZ BLOCK 7
A black and blue fruited nose of blackberries, plums, gravel and leafy herbs. Full-bodied with velvety tannins. Brooding with dark fruit and savoury spice. Moss and bark come through as well. Dense and deep. Drink or hold.
93 points
2020 THE YARD JUSTIN SHIRAZ
An inviting nose of blackberries, plums, melted chocolate and grilled herbs. Full-bodied with silky tannins. Savoury, pleasantly dense and textured. A sturdy core of black fruit sits at the centre, complemented by ground spice and fresh herbs. Nicely composed and generous without being overdone. Drink or hold.
93 points
2020 CHERUBINO OMAGGIO SHIRAZ MALBEC
A plummy nose of black cherries, chicory root and bark. Medium-bodied with fine, slightly chewy tannins. Juicy and pleasantly fresh with steady acidity and an open finish. Rather attractive. Drink now.
93 points
2020 CHERUBINO OMAGGIO SHIRAZ MATARO
A very pretty concentration and balance to this with medium, round tannins and a crunchy acidity. Medium body. Juicy fruit and a flavourful finish. Blackberry and hints of green stems. As it should be. Drink or hold.
93 points
2020 LAISSEZ FAIRE ARNEIS
Fragrant notes of white lavender, pears, dried lemons, beeswax, lemongrass and juniper berries. Textured and spicy with a medium body and tangy acidity. I like the wild herb and spice notes on a lengthy finish. Vegan. Drink now.
92 points
2021 CHERUBINO CAVES ROAD CHARDONNAY
A vibrant chardonnay with aromas of sea shells, pie crust, salted pineapples, spiced pears and lime zest. Hazelnuts, too. Medium-bodied with tangy acidity and a textured, saline finish. Drink now or hold.
92 points
2021 LAISSEZ FAIRE IV BLEND
A perfumed nose of crushed herbs, black tea, pitted cherries and sliced plums. Medium-bodied with gentle, fine tannins. Linear onto the palate with the plummy character taking charge. A bit of peppery, spice character comes in as well. A blend of counoise, mataro, shiraz and grenache. Drink now.
92 points
2022 THE YARD CHANNYBEARUP SAUVIGNON BLANC
Sliced green apples and green mango aromas and flavours with crisp pears. Some lemongrass, too. Medium body. Lively acidity. Clean finish. Drink now.
92 points
2020 THE YARD ACACIA SHIRAZ
Aromas of black tea, leafy herbs, sliced plums and gravel. Medium-bodied with silky tannins. Juicy and succulent with the black tea character expanding on the palate through to a persistent finish. Tasty stuff. Drink now.
92 points
2020 LAISSEZ FAIRE CHARDONNAY
Pineapples, white grapefruit and pear skins on the nose with salted butter and salted nuts. Medium-bodied with tangy acidity and creamy, deliciously saline finish. Drink now.
91 points
2021 LAISSEZ FAIRE FIANO
A more restrained fiano with aromas of dried apples, spiced pears, grapefruits, sea shells and white pepper. It’s medium-bodied with bright acidity and compact layers. Vegan. Drink now.
91 points
2021 LAISSEZ FAIRE MENCIA
A fruity, creamy red with aromas of blackberries, blueberries, cherries, thyme and licorice. Medium to full body with sleek tannins and a peppery, youthful finish. Vegan. Drink now.
91 points
2021 CHERUBINO PEMBERTON PINOT NOIR
A fragrant, fruity pinot with aromas of sliced strawberries, rose hips, hibiscus and rosemary. Orange zest, too. Crunchy, gently stemmy tannins here. Medium-bodied. Transparent. Drink now or hold.
91 points
2020 CHERUBINO PORONGURUP PINOT NOIR
Baked blueberries, strawberries, bitter chocolate and chai on the nose. Medium to full body with ripe, creamy tannins. Dark and spicy. Drink now.
90 points
2022 LAISSEZ FAIRE RIESLING
A crisp and zesty dry riesling that's got plenty of citrusy fruit, but is quite steely on the palate. You need to like forthright acidity to really enjoy this. Drink now.
90 points
2021 LAISSEZ FAIRE FIELD BLEND
Lots of peaches and sliced apple with some stone and tangerine aromas that follow through to a full body. Creamy texture. Slightly candied fruit at the end. Drink now.
89 points
Best Large Cellar Door!
April 2022
WINNER - Best Large Cellar Door
Gourmet Travelller Wine
Australia's Best Cellar Door Awards 2022
"When it comes to Western Australia’s wine regions, there is no question that Margaret River is the jewel in the crown. Responsible for just 2-3% of Australia’s total production, this little maritime stretch of 100km produces around 20 per cent of the country’s premium wine. The past year has seen a number of pleasant developments throughout the region’s cellar door offerings. Covid fast tracked paid and bookable seated tastings, which are largely now the norm at cellar doors that take their guest experience seriously. Additional tours and experiences have stepped up a notch which is great news for wine tourists who want to dive a little deeper."
Cassandra Charlick
2022 Wine Show of Western Australia
Friday 14th October
Full results for the Wine Show of Western Australia have been released where we have once again received the Trophy for Most Successful Exhibitor along with 5 other Trophies! As wella as these Trophies we had a total of 63 wines score a medal, 13 which are Gold! Please see the full listing below:
Most Successful Exhibitor Overall - TROPHY
2022 Laissez Faire Riesling - 3 x TROPHIES
Best Riesling
Best Great Southern White
Best & Most Distinctive Regional Character
2018 Cherubino Porongurup Riesling - 1 x Trophy
Best Aged Riesling
2018 The Yard Cane Cut Gewurztraminer - 1 x Trophy
Best Fortified or Sweet Wine
GOLD MEDAL
2020 Cherubino Gingin Chardonnay
2022 Cherubino Great Southern Riesling
2021 Cherubino Mount Barker Riesling
2018 Cherubino Frankland River Cabernet Clonal Selection
2018 Cherubino Porongurup Riesling
2020 Uovo Riesling
2022 Laissez Faire Riesling
2021 Laissez Faire Riesling
2014 Laissez Faire Riesling
2018 The Yard Cane Cut Gewurztraminer
2020 The Yard Justin Shiraz
2020 Pedestal Elevation Chardonnay
2021 Ad Hoc Wallflower Riesling
SILVER MEDAL
2018 Cherubino Budworth Cabernet Sauvignon
2020 Cherubino Mount Barker Riesling
2021 Cherubino Porongurup Riesling
2019 Cherubino Porongurup Riesling
2015 Cherubino Porongurup Riesling
2013 Cherubino Porongurup Riesling
2011 Cherubino Porongurup Riesling
2022 Cherubino Frankland River Riesling
2019 Cherubino Frankland River Shiraz
2020 Cherubino Frankland River Shiraz
2020 Cherubino Frankland River Shiraz Block 7
2021 Cherubino Nebbiolo
2014 Cherubino Frankland River Cabernet Sauvignon
2012 Cherubino Frankland River Cabernet Sauvignon
2021 Uovo Cabernet Touriga
2021 Laissez Faire IV Blend
2022 Laissez Faire Field Blend
2022 The Yard Riversdale Riesling
2020 The Yard Riversdale Shiraz
2009 The Yard Whispering Hill Riesling
2008 The Yard Whispering Hill Riesling
2007 The Yard Single Vineyard Riesling
2021 Pedestal Tempranillo Grenache
2021 Pedestal Shiraz
2020 Ad Hoc Middle of Everywhere Shiraz
2022 Folklore Classic White
BRONZE MEDAL
2021 Cherubino Margaret River Chardonnay
2021 Cherubino Bianco
2021 Cherubino Margaret River Rose
2019 Cherubino Margaret River Cabernet Sauvignon
2019 Cherubino Beautiful South Red Wine
2021 Cherubino Pemberton Pinot Noir
2012 Cherubino Great Southern Cabernet Sauvignon
2021 Uovo Riesling
2021 Uovo Nebbiolo Cabernet
2020 Laissez Faire Porongurup Pinot Noir
2021 Laissez Faire Mencia
2021 Laissez Faire Pinot Blanc
2019 Laissez Faire Malbec
2013 The Yard Riversdale Riesling
2011 The Yard Riversdale Riesling
2010 The Yard Pusey Road Cabernet Sauvignon
2019 Pedestal Elevation Cabernet Sauvignon
2021 Pedestal Chardonnay
2021 Ad Hoc Hen & Chicken Chardonnay
2021 Ad Hoc Cruel Mistress Pinot Noir
2022 Ad Hoc Nitty Gritty Pinot Grigio
2021 Apostrophe Stones Throw White
2020 Apostrophe Possessive Reds’
2022 Folklore Classic Dry Rose
2021 National Wine Show of Australia
20th May 2022
Here are our wonderful winemakers Sids and Matt collecting 2 trophies at the National wine show in Canberra over the weekend.
The National wine show judges the best of the best of Australian wine - all wines must have been awarded a gold or silver medal in a previous show to be considered.
Our winning wine was the 2020 Cherubino Margaret River Chardonnay. It was awarded;
Best Chardonnay of the show 🏆
The Len Evans Memorial Trophy for best white wine of the show 🏆
This wine has now won 10 trophies and is a testament to our vineyard and winemaking team.
Margaret River Wine Guide - Andrew Caillard MW
July 2022
Andrew Caillard MW has released an eJournal which explores the foundations and current state of play in Margaret River, one of Australia's greatest wine regions, including the key Houghton and Gingin clones, sustainability and reviews of over 200 wines.
Here are our five wines featured in this eJournal:
2020 CHERUBINO GINGIN CHARDONNAY
Pale colour. Lemon curd, white peach, nectarine, grapefruit aromas with expressive flinty notes. Beautiful lemon glacé, white peach, apricot, grapefruit flavours, fine loose-knit al dente textures, superb mid-palate richness and underlying grilled nut, vanilla notes. Finishes crispy with stone fruit notes. All of the elements in perfect symmetry.
97 points
2020 CHERUBINO MARGARET RIVER CHARDONNAY
Pale colour. Grapefruit, white peach, gunflint aromas with light marzipan notes. Well balanced wine with lemon glacé, sweet grapefruit flavours, fine loose-knit/lacy textures, very good mid-palate viscosity, some marzipan/vanilla notes and fresh long indelible acidity. Some bittersweet notes. Delicious wine with excellent fruit definition and mineral length.
95 points
2020 CHERUBINO DIJON CHARDONNAY
Pale colour. Lemon curd, nectarine aromas with yeasty/tonic water, vanilla notes. Fresh sweet lemon glacé, lime, nectarine fruits, fine lacy textures, very good mid-palate volume and integrated pure acidity. Crunchy fresh at the finish.
94 points
2020 PEDESTAL ELEVATION CHARDONNAY
Pale colour. Pure grapefruit, nectarine, flinty aromas with grilled nut notes. Creamy textured wine with ample stonefruit, marzipan, grilled nut flavours, some crème brulee notes, lovely mid-palate viscosity, al dente/lacy textures and fresh persistent crisp acidity. Textbook Margaret River chardonnay.
96 points
2019 CHERUBINO MARGARET RIVER CABERNET SAUVIGNON
Medium-deep crimson. Fresh dark chocolate, dark cherry, mocha, espresso aromas with chinotto notes. Very well made wine with fresh blackcurrant, dark cherry, mocha, espresso flavours, fine loose-knit chocolatey textures, and lovely fine mineral acidity. Finishes velvety firm. Impressively balanced wine with lovely plushness of fruit and supple structure. 100% Cabernet Sauvignon.
95 points
Sydney Royal Wine Show Awards
4th August 2022
We are very excited to receive this award at the recent Sydney Royal Wine Show. It’s always great for a single vineyard wine to get awarded as it makes all the hard work that goes into that site so worth it. In this case it’s the Wychwood vineyard in Karridale and it’s Dijon clone Chardonnay.
Gold Medal & Trophy
2020 Cherubino Dijon Chardonnay
Gold Medal
2020 Cherubino Shiraz Mataro
Silver medal
2021 Ad Hoc Wallflower Riesling
2021 Cherubino Margaret River Chardonnay
2020 Cherubino Gingin Chardonnay
2020 Cherubino Shiraz Malbec
2020 Pedestal Cabernet Sauvignon
2021 Uovo Cabernet Touriga
bronze medal
2021 Uovo Riesling
2021 Cherubino Sauvignon Gris
2021 Ad Hoc Cruel Mistress Pinot Noir
2020 The Yard Riversdale Shiraz
2020 Cherubino Margaret River Cabernet Sauvignon
2018 Cherubino Frankland River Cabernet Clonal Selections
2018 Cherubino Budworth Cabernet Sauvignon
2019 Pedestal Elevation Red Wine
2021 Laissez Faire Mencia
2021 Laissez Faire IV Blend
Robert Parker Wine Advocate reviews
July 2022
The following reviews by Erin Larkin for the Robert Parker Wine advocate website were recently released:
2020 CHERUBINO MARGARET RIVER CHARDONNAY
The 2020 Margaret River Chardonnay, at the time of writing, has amassed a haul of 10 trophies on the National Wine Show circuit here in Australia, including two (Best Chardonnay and Best White Wine) at arguably the most prestigious of them all, the National Wine Show. I can tell you what it is about the wine that has attracted all the golds... It is a heady combination of powerful, opulent fruit, combined with classy winemaking and natural, juicy acid that curls and winds its way through it all. It is balanced, for all the volume, texture and spice. After having been handpicked, whole-bunch pressed and wild fermented in a combination of new and used French oak (matured for six moths), it is clear that the winemaking did nothing to "trick up" the fruit. It is what it is: a powerful statement about the high quality of Chardonnay in Margaret River. If anything, it looks better today than it did when I judged it a year ago at the Margaret River Show. Remarkable.
97 points
2018 CHERUBINO BUDWORTH CABERNET SAUVIGNON
The fruit for this 2018 Budworth Cabernet Sauvignon was sourced from Block 6 within the Riversdale Vineyard. The wine has never been made before and was done so in honour of the excellent season that was 2018. It was handpicked, sorted and macerated on skins for two months prior to maturation in French oak (first and second use). This is a marvel. It is framed by oak, no question, but the oak is high quality, it is expensive, and it has been matched well to the fruit and the subregion. The Frankland River DNA rises up - there is no barrier that could stop it - and shows us an array of raspberry, blood, satsuma plums, tobacco leaf, red dirt, iodine, ferrous and black tea. The tannins that permeate every part of this wine are ductile, fine and grippy and linger long after the wine has gone. What a wine.
97 points
2020 CHERUBINO PEMBERTON CHARDONNAY
The fruit for the 2020 Pemberton Chardonnay is grown on the Channybearup Vineyard (planted in 1996) and was handpicked, whole-bunch pressed and wild fermented and matured in a combination of new and used oak for six months. The wine is opulent, complex and layered, with a plush undercurrent of creamy crushed nuts, briney acidity and grilled yellow peach. Overlaid over it all is the effortless richness that came on in the 2020 vintage. This is a pleasing combination of classy and comfortable, elegant and pleasurable. How good.
96 points
2018 CHERUBINO FRANKLAND RIVER CABERNET SAUVIGNON CLONAL SELECTION
The fruit for this 2018 Clonal Selection, Riversdale Vineyard is sourced from the Riversdale Vineyard in Frankland River and is a blend of clones 377 and 191 - unusual clones for the mainstream in Western Australia (the SA126 and Houghton clones predominate). The fruit was handpicked, sorted and then matured in seasoned French oak for 12 months. It is very good - dense, concentrated, poised and structured by firm, chalky tannins. Actually, the entire experience is driven by tannin, but they are ripe, wholesome and satisfying, so it's ok. The fruit that swarms around this scaffolding is decidedly red/black and shows vitality, pulse and life. Elegant, wonderful wine. Balanced.
96 points
2020 CHERUBINO FRANKLAND RIVER SHIRAZ BLOCK 7
This 2020 Block 7 Shiraz Riversdale Vineyard is a heady mix of succulent red fruit and firm supple tannin. It is pliable, chewy and structured, but it is also flashy (not a typo - it is fleshy too), polished and pleasurable. There's a lot of good going on here. It will age, but certainly, drinking it in its youth will afford you my current view of resplendent fruit, ferrous tannins and balance all round. Delicious.
95 points
2020 CHERUBINO DIJON CHARDONNAY
In contrast to the Willows Vineyard (Gingin clone in Wilyabrup), this 2020 Dijon Wychwood Vineyard Chardonnay is constructed from Dijon clones and is from down in Karridale - the cooler, wetter south. As a pair they are like twins - different people with the same DNA. Where the Willows is rich, textural and complex (lest we forget toasty), this is pure, searing and powerful. The beauty of both is that neither is better than the other, merely a completely different set of experiences. This is littered with preserved lemon, pie crust, lemon curd, curry leaf and brine. Awesome.
95 points
2020 CHERUBINO GINGIN CHARDONNAY
I love this 2020 Gingin Willows Vineyard Chardonnay. It is salty, rich, balanced and thrilling, with a core of preserved lemon, yellow peach and red apple skins. Around the edges, curls of saffron, salted caramel and toasted brioche create a framework of spice and intrigue, while the wine, powered by the fruit, sails across the palate. It has gravitas and poise with mouthwatering acidity.
95 points
2020 THE YARD RIVERSDALE SHIRAZ
So here, we have three Cherubino Shiraz bottles from Frankland River, all under The Yard label. Like three siblings, we have one from the Acacia Vineyard, one from the Justin Vineyard and this 2020 The Yard Riversdale Vineyard Shiraz, from the Riversdale Vineyard. They each share common DNA but are distinct in their expressions. Where the Justin is overflowing and a touch frisky at this early stage, the Acacia is relaxed, open weave and pretty; this is the best of both of them and shows polish, power, attractive tannins and beautiful fruit. This is my pick of the bunch. Excellent wine with a bright future.
95 points
2019 CHERUBINO MARGARET RIVER CABERNET SAUVIGNON
The fruit for this 2019 Cabernet Sauvignon was sourced from the Wilyabrup area within Margaret River. The cooler year was responsible for wines of aromatic detail and poise, and this is true of this wine before me. This is elegant and shapely, the presence of French oak is showing to be a well-judged affair. A very smart wine indeed. Drink it whenever you like - quality Margaret River Cabernets such as this have a reputation for aging several decades with ease, however they have the added benefit of being attractive in their youth, too.
95 points
2019 CHERUBINO FRANKLAND RIVER SHIRAZ
The fruit for this 2019 Shiraz is from Frankland River, in the Great Southern. It is inky, ferrous and spicy, with layers of clove, nutmeg, aniseed and licorice. The fruit is defined by mulberry, blood plum and even blackberries and is decidedly more brooding than any of the 2020s, which show a red-fruited vitality and buoyancy.
95 points
2020 THE YARD ACACIA SHIRAZ
So here, we have three Cherubino Frankland River Shiraz bottlings, under The Yard label. Like three siblings, we have one from the Justin Vineyard, one from the Riversdale Vineyard, and this 2020 The Yard Acacia Vineyard Shiraz from the Acacia Vineyard. They each share common DNA, but are their own iterations. Where the Justin is overflowing and frisky, this is loosely woven, attractive and relaxed already. It shows red fruit and pink peppercorn, the classic Frankland River hallmark of bloody, ferrous tannin and a super attractive juicy quality. Will only get better.
94+ points
2021 LAISSEZ FAIRE GRENACHE
The 2021 Laissez Faire Grenache Frankland River is a very good savoury Grenache. While the core of fruit is supple and alive, the tannins that shape it are savoury and coiled. This is tightly sprung and yet spacious inside, with plenty of layers of flavour and texture to peruse while it's in the mouth. Frankland River is a special subregion of the Great Southern and seems to effortlessly imbue the reds grown there with ferrous tannin (thank you ironstone gravels), a bloody aspect to the fruit and bright natural acid. Despite being warm in the days, the continentality of the area brings with it cold nights - which is great for acid retention. This is delicious and hasn't given in to the succulent charm of the abundant red fruit. The tannins keep it honest. Smart.
94 points
2020 CHERUBINO OMAGGIO SHIRAZ MATARO
The fruit for the 2020 Omaggio Shiraz Mataro is from the Riversdale Vineyard, in Frankland River. Awesome. The Shiraz fruit didn't need any tannic grounding from the Mataro, but it got it, and it's all the better for it. The combination of the two varieties brings balance and softness to the wine. It has prodigious tannin, thanks to a combination of the vintage and the region, but it suits the varieties and manages a core of pure fruit at the same time. It settles into a loud kind of harmony. Very attractive.
94 points
2019 CHERUBINO BEAUTIFUL SOUTH RED WINE
The 2019 Beautiful South red is a clonal selection from the Riversdale Vineyard in Frankland River and is composed of Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot and Malbec. There is a really impressive tannin and fruit interplay in the mouth, framed by smart oak. A classy affair, driven by ripe, chewy tannins.
94 points
2020 THE YARD JUSTIN SHIRAZ
So here, we have three Cherubino Shiraz bottlings, under The Yard label. Like three siblings, we have one from the Acacia Vineyard, one from the Riversdale Vineyard, and this 2020 The Yard Justin Shiraz from the Justin Vineyard. They each share common DNA, but are their own expressions of Shiraz. Potently intense and teetering on the brink of overflowing fruitfulness, the wine is harnessed by savoury tannin and spice. This definitely needs some time to settle down, frisky as it is, right now.
93+ points
2021 CHERUBINO CAVES ROAD CHARDONNAY
The 2021 vintage was cool, and the whites are slow to evolve. This 2021 Caves Road Chardonnay remains inchoate, laced with esters and gentle exotic spice. Very pure and finely lacy with a core of orchard fruit that spools out over the finish. A lovely wine, quiet though.
93 points
2021 LAISSEZ FAIRE MENCIA
The 2021 Laissez Faire Mencia is bright, vibrant, juicy and bloody. There is a bit of carbonic or something very plush in here. It is juicy and pleasurable, with an engaging spine of acid and tannin through it. Smart.
93 points
2021 LAISSEZ FAIRE RIESLING
Cherubino and his team are excellent riesling makers. In the 2021 Laissez Faire Riesling, they manage piercing intensity with soft textural complexity and a smattering of spice through the finish. There are notes of white flowers, black tea, fleshy citrus, green apple skins, Chinese Five Spice and fennel flower. The phenolics through the finish really shape the wine and bring into focus the pristine fruit and acid. This is a "tannic" Riesling, yet the framework makes it so moreish, and so exciting.
93 points
2019 PEDESTAL ‘ELEVATION’ CABERNET SAUVIGNON
The 2019 Elevation Cabernet Sauvignon has a long reputation for aging beyond its price point would normally indicate, and it is routinely a good example of Margaret River Cabernet. So, to the wine: on the nose, the high quality French, biscuity oak frames the dark berry fruit. There's plenty of line and length through the palate that aligns with the assumption that this is a good quality/value wine, and the length of flavour shows promise. Lovely wine!
92 points
2021 CHERUBINO SAUVIGNON GRIS
The 2021 Sauvignon Gris is made with fruit from the Channybearup Vineyard in Pemberton, and it was handpicked, gently pressed to two and three-year-old oak for fermentation and maturation. There is very little Sauvignon Gris planted in Western Australia - this and Voyager are the only two vineyards I am aware of. This is concentrated and plush from the barrel ferment and has a core of very pure apple fruit that sits on the back palate. Interestingly, it speaks to me very clearly of the Western Australian oaked-white style, while the characteristics of Sauvignon Gris are less clear. A statuesque wine. Spooling length and fine acid. Smart.
91 points
2020 PEDESTAL ‘ELEVATION’ CHARDONNAY
2020 was a cracking vintage for Chardonnay in Margaret River; the warmer conditions played right into the hands of the Gingin clone Chardonnay, and even more so if the producers got the grapes off in time. This 2020 Elevation Chardonnay shows aromas of saffron/turmeric, red apple skins, yellow peach and brine, backed by wisps of sandalwood, fennel and curry leaf. In the mouth, the wine is exactly as the nose promised - rounded, plush, spicy and a little bit exotic. All things in balance - very impressive. Drink this richer style of Chardonnay in the next five or so years. More if you like opulence.
91 points
2020 CHERUBINO BIANCO
The 2020 Bianco is a blend of Arneis and Riesling rom the Riversdale Vineyard in Frankland River. On the nose, it shows all of the crushed quartz/mineral characters and citrus pith that we look for in Arneis, while the Riesling frames the wine in delicate florals and apples. In the mouth, the wine is curiously austere and plump... It has the acid backbone of Riesling, with the cushioning of Arneis. I'm not sure if the two components are completely meshing at this point, but there is not doubt the wine is engaging.
90 points
Great Value Wines: 8 Margaret River Chardonnay for under $40
28 November 2021
You may know Margaret River as somewhat of a benchmark for Australian cabernet sauvignon, but the chardonnays produced there are also fantastic and give great bang for the buck. We have always been big fans of the best chardonnays of the region, and some of our favorite bottles include Vasse Felix Chardonnay Margaret River Heytesbury, Cloudburst Chardonnay Margaret River, Deep Woods Estate Chardonnay Margaret River Reserve and Cullen Chardonnay Margaret River Kevin John.
The Margaret River wine region sits on a cape in Western Australia about 270 kilometers (170 miles) south of Perth. It’s surrounded by water on three sides – Cape Naturaliste and Geographe Bay to the north, Cape Leeuwin and the Southern Ocean to the south and the Indian Ocean hugging the western exposure between them. The drive from Perth seems to take forever, but once you’re there it’s a beautiful, unspoiled ocean paradise with savannah-like wilderness and picture-perfect beaches for surfing. James says it reminds him of the North County region of San Diego, California, back in the 1960s and 1970s when he was growing up nearby.
Vineyards were first planted in Margaret River in 1967 by Tom Cullity, who was influenced by a University of Western Australia research paper the year before describing the area as well suited to viticulture – providing proper drainage were available to handle the heavy rains the region can sometimes get. Vasse Felix was the first vineyard planted in the area and was soon followed by Moss Wood, Cape Mentelle, Cullen, Sandalford, Leeuwin Estate, Woodlands and Wrights. You can find Great Value chardonnays from Vasse Felix and Leeuwin listed below.
Because of the breezy, cool influence of the surrounding water and air currents, Margaret River enjoys a long and slow growing season that really allows producers to zero in on the style of wine they want to make year after year. This brings an enviable amount of consistency to the grape, particularly in comparison with the eastern parts of Australia. The soils vary from place to place within the Margaret River region but overall are some of the oldest in the world, with a good amount of laterite, iron and decomposed granite providing excellent mineral balance.
What we really love about Margaret River is the purity of its fruit expression. While the fruit character is generally ripe, the wines retain their freshness and never come across as overblown or fatty. They are dynamic, concentrated and absolutely delicious.
Below are eight wines we feel reflect the fantastic range of high-quality chardonnay that Margaret River has to offer. From the oldest winery in Margaret River to more up-and-coming names, each of these wines has that purity and clarity from the region that we adore. Once you get your hands on a bottle, do not be surprised to see a screw cap, which is the closure of choice here, even for the highest-end bottles. Winemakers often keep this choice of closure in mind while creating the final blend to make sure they don’t come off as unintentionally reductive when they are opened young, and also so they can age steadily for years to come.
We hope the list below opens you up to the enticing possibilities that Margaret River chardonnays have to offer, and all the bottles are available from any reputable wine retailer for under $40. And stay tuned for our Top 100 Wines of Australia 2021 report, coming soon, which will include a few higher-end chardonnays from the region.
– Nathan Slone, Associate Editor
International price: $38
Larry Cherubino goes fringe in Frankland River
22nd October
Can the fringe ever become mainstream? If WA’s winemaking history is anything to go by, the answer is a resounding: yes.
Since vines first took root in WA there have been waves of new varietal plantings, influenced by immigration, culture change or simply availability. The first varieties were shipped from the Cape of Good Hope in 1829, and listed as “a white varietal called ‘sweetwater’ and ‘El Mirror’ muscatel”. Grenache arrived in the 1860s, originally for fortified wines, later repurposed for heavy reds in the mid 20th century, evolving again in recent vintages as some producers grow and make grenache into a lighter, elegant styles.
Over the past fifty years, vine plantings have been dominated by the French classics. Why? Because they were deemed to fit perfectly with the conditions of our pioneering South West regions. Also, because they were widely revered as the ‘noble varieties’. As regions were established, and swiftly grew to achieve global recognition, these varieties have stayed dominant. There are, however, literally thousands of wine grape varieties grown across the globe. Many of these are simply-made, Italian or Spanish village wines, grown and enjoyed for hundreds of years, but never outside their region. Globalisation has changed this and, with a growing consumer interest in fringe varieties, it seems likely that some will emerge as new favourites. The varieties which find simpatico with our climate, our palate and our budget may well ride the next wave in WA.
Larry Cherubino is one of a number of wine growers leading the charge to find out. Since purchasing the Frankland River vineyard Riversdale in 2010, Cherubino has done the hard yards, importing and eventually planting cuttings from some of his favourite European varieties. The process of selection, importation, quarantine and propagation up to commercial quantity can take up to 10 years, meaning that it takes considerable vision and a long term investment. At Riversdale, new plantings include Mencia and Counoise for reds and Fiano for whites.
Unlike some producers, Cherubino doesn’t necessarily want big flavour concentration. He’s looking for “detail and definition” and “complexity from the field rather than winemaking”. He’s also got an eye on climate, demanding only varieties that are tolerant of low-rainfall conditions, to handle current and future dry vintages. With the varieties chosen, he sees enough of a parallel between their European growing conditions and those of Frankland River, to believe they could be successful.
Fiano is a thick-skinned, textural, white variety, sourced from a favourite producer in Avellino, near the Amalfi coast in Italy. Mencia, a wonderfully aromatic, intensely coloured red from Bierzo in North West Spain. Counoise, a lesser known blending variety from France’s Rhone Valley, used for elegance, to ‘break the back’ of heavier varieties. All three varieties feature in his Laissez Faire range which has a focus on minimal inputs and come highly recommended.
2021 Laissez Faire Fiano, Frankland River
The fiano grapes were gently handled and fermented in a combination of old oak and concrete eggs. This has allowed the fruit to be expressed unencumbered, and has simultaneously built texture into the wine. Dried apple, peach and apricot are liberally spread across the nose and palate. Graceful, yet full in fruit weight with a delicately pithy mouthfeel. Refreshing cleansing acidity glides through to the finish.
94/100
2021 Laissez Faire Mencia, Frankland River
Vibrant purple hues make for a striking first impression. Mid-weight and lightly textured with a crisp, youthful, juiciness. Blueberries, blackberries and florals, through to a mineral-driven finish with aniseed and a lick of ironstone. The subtle vanilla oak from 10 months oak maturation sits in the background. Dry, refreshing acidity keeps the whole palate vibrant and fresh.
93/100
2021 Laissez Faire IV (Counoise Mataro Shiraz Grenache), Frankland River
Counoise is the dominant partner here, making up 44 per cent of the blend. As such, it’s not your typical ‘Rhone blend’. Perfumed red berries, ripe strawberry and tart blackcurrant — ‘summer pudding’ — if you’ve tried it. Crunchy acidity adds palate tension and keeps the mouthfeel on the lighter side of full. Dry, super-fine tannins add a savoury bite. Some thyme and sweet cedar (from oak) add richness to the back-palate and round it off nicely.
92/100
Paul Edwards, The West Australian
Antonio Galloni - Vinuous
September 2022
2020 CHERUBINO MARGARET RIVER CHARDONNAY
The top of the line Chardonnay from Larry Cherubino in 2020 draws in fruit from both cooler and warmer parts of Margaret River in Karridale and Wilyabrup. It’s an acid driven style with impressive fruit focus. Though a little closed, there are delicious citrus grapefruit pith and peel aromas well matched to prominent, high grade oak. Explosive flavours follow on a vivacious palate while precision is retained along the full length of the palate through to a very long and fine finish. It’s a n impressive example of the modern Australian style although needs time to hit its peak.
96 points
2019 CHERUBINO MARGARET RIVER CABERNET SAUVIGNON
Larry Cherubino’ s Cabernet Sauvignon Margaret River does no disappoint in 2019. Aromas are powerful, poised and precise - blackcurrant, violets and fresh sage with caramel oak influences couched in nicely behind. Followed by a reserved and elegant palate, it is fine, detailed and beautifully balanced with exceptional purity of fruit and supported for long, fine grained tannins to a very impressive finish. The balance and blend of fruit and structure is remarkable and promises a long life ahead.
96 points
2020 CHERUBINO GINGIN CHARDONNAY
The 2020 Chardonnay Gingin effortlessly illustrates the sheer class of the Gingin clone in Margaret River. There is a superb mix of power and complexity thanks to highly expressive aromas of nectarine, pear and florals well integrated with subtle vanillan French oak underpinned by fantastic energy and purity of fruit. Delicious tension between bright acidity and fruit follows with impressive mid-palate sweetness of citrus and tropical flavours before delivering a long, sustained finished with attractive grip. This will blossom beautifully with time in bottle.
94 points
2020 PEDESTAL ELEVATION CHARDONNAY
Drawn from the Pedestal vineyard which is planted on one of the highest points of the Wilyabrup Valley, the 2020 Chardonnay Pedestal Elevation is a well made wine showing both power and subtlety. Classic nectarine and floral fruits are beautifully integrated with high quality nutty French oak. Lovely palate focus follows with impressive richness well supported by zesty acidity. Gentle phenolics provide grip which supports a long and refined finish. Impressive.
93 points
2020 CHERUBINO GINGIN CHARDONNAY
A twin to the Gingin label, the 2020 Chardonnay Dijon has been made exclusively with fruit from Dijon clones grown in the cooler Karridale region of Margaret River. The result is a youthful and vibrant wine that carries power and subtlety. It is highly complex thanks to a blend of citrus and floral aromas lifted high by nutty, flinty complexity. There is also a delightful texture and fruit purity finely balanced with a core of tight acidity supporting pithy/citrus peel flavours and subtle oak. Another impressive wine from the Cherubino stable.
92 points
2020 PEDESTAL CABERNET SAUVIGNON
This Cabernet Sauvignon Pedestal is an attractively savoury rendition of Margaret River from 2020. It offers up a variety of aromas including black olive, beef stock and blackberry fruits which are well woven into spicy/cedary oak. Succulent dark berry fruits return on the palate, while still retaining a savoury feel. Ample mouthcoating tannins and fresh acidity also provide good structure suggesting its best years are a little way off.
91 points
2022 West Australian Wine Guide
December 2021
2020 CHERUBINO PEMBERTON SAUVIGNON BLANC
Cherubino sources this from a mature Pemberton vineyard which produces excellent savvy, especially in years like this. Gorgeous scented notes of lemony oak and a gooseberry, passionfruit combination. It’s had about four months in oak, which contributes to the aromas and adds so much interest to the palate. The weighting of the oak is perfect. A crisp, minerally acidity completes an excellent example of this fume style.
94/100
2020 CHERUBINO MARGARET RIVER CHARDONNAY
The fruit comes from Wilyabrup and the cooler Karridale to the south. Lightly toasty with savoury, minerally citrus notes on the nose. There’s a faint hint of struck match adding to the aromatic complexity. Has a linear, precise mouthfeel with the savoury characters emerging. Deeply intense with the potential to develop further. Excellent wine.
96/100
2018 CHERUBINO BEAUTFIL SOUTH RED WINE
Gosh, this is a good red wine. It comes from the Riversdale vineyard in Frankland, with a range of different clones of cabernet sauvignon, merlot and malbec. It’s already so rich and concentrated with so much crammed into its frame of chalky tannins and fine grained oak. Dark fruits and chocolate with a slightly leafy overlay on the nose. The palate is a powerhouse of structure and poise. It will handle extended cellaring but around 10 years would be spot on.
95/100
2018 CHERUBINO SHIRAZ MALBEC
It’s an interesting combination and it works so wonderfully well. This comes from the Riversdale Vineyard in Frankland River. Cherubino has made this to highlight the seductive and beautiful fruit characters, with maturation only in one and two-year-old oak. Dark fruits with a mix of plum and blackcurrant lifted with a little rose petal aromatic. Has a brilliant energy and vibrancy.
94/100
2019 CHERUBINO FRANKLAND RIVER SHIRAZ
Okay, for the clone geeks, I’ll highlight clones 174, 470 and Waldron, which Cherubino has been championing in the Riversdale Vineyard. And they have quite an impact. It’s wine of great intensity and fruit concentration, yet there is an effortless poise and refinement that makes it so appealing. Chalky tannins and deep, plummy mulberry fruit merge seamlessly. It’s a wine of structure and character with tremendous ageing potential.
97/100
2018 CHERUBINO FRANKLAND RIVER CABERNET SAUVIGNON CLONAL
This is cabernet and it has not seen new oak. You might be surprised, yet when you taste it you’ll realise it doesn't need it. Cherubino has used different clones, which after hand picking were matured in one and two-year-old oak for 12 months. It shows the beautiful elegance and charm of Frankland cabernet with that chalky black fruit thing working with a subtle leafiness. Finishes with such poise and elegance.
95/100
Top 100 Reds - The West Australian
21st July 2022
Ray Jordan has released his Top 100 red wines for the year. The best wine overall is the 2020 Cherubino Shiraz Mataro, a drop sourced from our Riversdale Vineyard in Frankland River. It reveals how these two varieties can work in harmony to produce a distinctive, richly textured and flavoured wine with that touch of finesse that makes them excellent drinking.
Our range of wines featured strongly in other categories and makes Cherubino the stand-out performer in the list. The wines are submitted in four separate price categories - under $15, $15 - $20, $25 to $25 and $25 to $40.
WINNER - BEST WINE
2020 CHERUBINO OMAGGIO SHIRAZ MATARO
It was quite some shootout for the honour of the best wine of the tasting. The Cherubino shiraz mataro comes from Cherubino’s vineyard at Frankland River. The fruit qualities are preserved by using only one and two-year-old oak for maturation. The palate is highly perfumed and displays impressive fruit with that regional ironstone influence. This is positive sign that Frankland River as a region is heading towards superstardom that in the end might just match that of that other superstar, Margaret River.
96/100
$15 & Under
2019 FOLKLORE CLASSIC RED (Cabernet Merlot)
Larry Cherubino doesn't make dud wines so when you get one of his at this pricepoint you just know its going to deliver. The combination of fruity blackberry and the edginess of the bay leaf combining with the fine silky tannins and subtle oak is balanced and complete. In fact, it had eight months in French which makes a significant contribution to its polish and feel.
92/100
$20 - $25
2019 AD HOC MIDDLE OF EVERYWHERE SHIRAZ
Everything about this Great Southern shiraz screams polish and class. It’s generous and supremely balanced with fine chalky tannins, dark fruit, ironstone and a very long finish. A complete wine.
93/100
$25 - $40
2020 THE YARD RIVERSDALE SHIRAZ
The shiraz off this and other Frankland River vineyards is extraordinary, and this is the perfect example. I love the fruit weight and texture with those fine firm chalky tannins. A trace of ironstone complexity.
95/100
2020 CHERUBINO OMAGGIO SHIRAZ MATARO
This extraordinary and beautiful wine comes from Cherubino’s Riversdale vineyard at Frankland River. The aim is to preserve the fruit qualities and therefore only one and two-year-old oak is used for maturation. Highly perfumed with a palate that displays excellent fruit with that regional ironstone influence.
96/100
2021 LAISSEZ FAIRE IV BLEND
This is an interesting blend of counoise, mataro, shiraz and grenache from Frankland River. Very little was added during the winemaking so it’s vegan-friendly and wasn't filtered. Medium-bodied with lifted scents of red fruit on the nose. The palate has a dried herb influence on the bright red fruit flavours.
92/100
2021 Margaret River Wine Show
Friday 29th November
The results of the 2021 Margaret River Wine Show have been announced where once again the 2020 Cherubino Margaret River Chardonnay won multiple trophies!
Along with the 3 trophies we received 3 x Gold medals, 7 x Silver medals & 5 x Bronze medals. Another extremely successful wine show for Cherubino.
Here is the full list of winning wines for this year:
2020 Cherubino Margaret River Chardonnay- 3 x TROPHIES
Best Chardonnay
White Wine of the Show
Wine of the Show
GOLD MEDAL
2020 Cherubino Margaret River Chardonnay - TOP GOLD
2020 Cherubino Dijon Chardonnay
2020 Pedestal Elevation Chardonnay
SILVER MEDAL
2019 Cherubino Margaret River Cabernet Sauvignon
2020 Cherubino Gin Gin Chardonnay
2020 Cherubino Caves Road Chardonnay
2020 Cherubino Margaret River Sauvignon Blanc
2021 Pedestal Semillon Sauvignon Blanc
2019 Pedestal Elevation Red Wine
2020 Pedestal Tempranillo Grenache
BRONZE MEDAL
2018 Cherubino Margaret River Cabernet Sauvignon
2019 Laissez Faire Cabernet Franc
2019 Pedestal Elevation Cabernet Sauvignon
2020 Pedestal Shiraz
2021 Pedestal Sauvignon Blanc
2021 Wine Show of Western Australia - 4 x Trophy Winner!!
15th October 2021
The winners for the 2021 Wine Show of WA have been announced and we were extremely successful once again. Not only did we receive the Trophy for Most Successful Exhibitor of the Show but our 2020 Cherubino Margaret River Chardonnay won 3 x Trophies!
Along with our 4 x Trophy wins we also received 5 x Gold's, 20 x Silver & 25 x Bronze. 50 of our 60 entries received a medal!
Here is a full list of our successful wines:
Most Successful Exhibitor Overall - TROPHY
2020 Cherubino Margaret River Chardonnay - 3 x TROPHIES
Best Wine of the Show
Best White Wine of the Show
Best Chardonnay
GOLD MEDAL
2020 Cherubino Margaret River Chardonnay
2021 Cherubino Mount Barker Riesling
2020 Laissez Faire Riesling
2021 The Yard Riversdale Riesling
2020 Pedestal Shiraz
SILVER MEDAL
2018 Cherubino Frankland River Cabernet Clonal Selection
2020 Cherubino Dijon Chardonnay
2020 Cherubino Gin Gin Chardonnay
2021 Cherubino Great Southern Riesling
2021 Cherubino Porongurup Riesling
2019 Cherubino Porongurup Riesling
2019 Cherubino Frankland River Shiraz
2021 Uovo Grenache
2020 Laissez Faire Arneis
2019 Laissez Faire IV Blend
2019 Laissez Faire Pemberton Pinot Noir
2020 Laissez Faire Porongurup Pinot Noir
2021 Laissez Faire Riesling
2018 The Yard Cane Cut Gewurztraminer
2018 The Yard Cane Cut Semillon
2018 The Yard Riversdale Cabernet Sauvignon
2021 Pedestal Semillon Sauvignon Blanc
2021 Ad Hoc Wallflower Riesling
2019 Apostrophe Red Blend
2021 Apostrophe Stones Throw White
BRONZE MEDAL
2018 Cherubino Beautiful South Red Wine
2019 Cherubino Beautiful South Red Wine
2020 Cherubino Bianco
2020 Cherubino Caves Road Chardonnay
2021 Cherubino Grenache Rose
2019 Cherubino Margaret River Cabernet Sauvignon
2020 Cherubino Mount Barker Riesling
2020 Cherubino Margaret River Sauvignon Blanc
2020 Cherubino Pemberton Sauvignon Blanc
2018 Cherubino Porongurup Riesling
2015 Cherubino Porongurup Riesling
2019 Uovo Cabernet Nebbiolo
2018 Uovo Grenache
2020 Uovo Riesling
2020 Laissez Faire Chardonnay
2021 Laissez Faire Field Blend
2020 Laissez Faire Pemberton Pinot Noir
2019 Laissez Faire Porongurup Pinot Noir
2019 The Yard Riversdale Fiano
2019 Pedestal ‘Elevation’ Cabernet Sauvignon
2020 Pedestal ‘Elevation’ Chardonnay
2019 Pedestal ‘Elevation’ Red Wine
2020 Pedestal Chardonnay
2019 Pedestal Margaret River Cabernet Sauvignon
2021 Pedestal Sauvignon Blanc
2021 Royal Adelaide Wine Show
8th October 2021
The results for the 2021 Royal Adelaide Wine Show were announced on Friday our 2020 Cherubino Margaret River Chardonnay walked away with 2 x Trophies along with a Gold Medal! Our 2020 Cherubino Dijon Chardonnay also won a Gold Medal.
Five other wine's won a Silver and fourteen won a Bronze. The full medal winners are listed below:
GOLD MEDAL
2020 Cherubino Margaret River Chardonnay - 2 x Trophies - Best Chardonnay & Best White of the Show
2020 Cherubino Dijon Chardonnay
SILVER MEDAL
2020 Cherubino Gin Gin Chardonnay
2020 Cherubino Pemberton Chardonnay
2019 Cherubino Beautiful South Red Blend
2019 Pedestal Elevation Red Wine
2021 Pedestal Semillon Sauvignon Blanc
BRONZE MEDAL
2020 Cherubino Pemberton Sauvignon Blanc
2020 Cherubino Margaret River Sauvignon Blanc
2018 Cherubino Beautiful South Red Blend
2020 Uovo Riesling
2020 Laissez Faire Riesling
2019 Laissez Faire Malbec
2021 The Yard Riversdale Riesling
2019 The Yard Riversdale Shiraz
2019 Pedestal Elevation Cabernet Sauvignon
2020 Pedestal Elevation Chardonnay
2020 Pedestal Shiraz
2021 Ad Hoc Wallflower Riesling
2021 Apostrophe Stones Throw White
2019 Apostrophe Possessive Reds’
2021 Perth Royal Wine Show - 2 x Trophy Winner!
3rd September 2021
The Perth Royal Wine Show Awards were announced today we have once again been successful across multiple categories including winning 2 x Trophies!!
Our trophy wins are as follows:
Most Successful WA Exhibitor - TROPHY
2021 Ad Hoc Wallflower Riesling - TROPHY, Best Riesling
Along with these 2 Trophies the following wines won Gold Medals:
2020 Cherubino Gin Gin Chardonnay
2018 Cherubino Frankland River Cabernet Sauvignon Clonal Selection
2020 Laissez Faire Riesling
2020 Pedestal Shiraz
2021 Ad Hoc Wallflower Riesling
We also won a further 8 x Silver medals & 15 x Bronze medals.
2022 Halliday Wine Companion
13th August 2021
Last night the 2022 Halliday Wine Companion Awards were announced where once again Cherubino received some great ratings.
In the major Best of the Best categories we had six wines featured - 2 x Cabernet's, 2 x Chardonnay's, a Riesling and a Rose.
19 out of the 32 wines reviewed received 94 points or above!
Best of the Best:
2018 Cherubino Budworth Cabernet Sauvignon - 98/100
Great colour, deep but vivid crimson/purple. Cedary French oak and blackcurrant fruit are joined at the hip by superb tannins that reflect the day-by-day assessment of the must during the latter weeks of maceration. The mouth-watering savoury aftertaste is the coup de grace for this great cabernet.
2018 Cherubino Frankland River Cabernet Sauvignon - 97/100
An iridescent ruby in the glass. Saturated in flavour and packed with fine, chalky tannins that provide substance and structure for the sweet fruit. There is so much going on here that 2nd and 3rd sips are needed. The tannins and the fruit are generous, chewy and expansive. This bottle could evaporate in a moment. A ruminating wine and a showpiece for Frankland River pedigree.
2019 Cherubino Dijon Chardonnay - 97/100
Fermented and matured for 10 months in new and 1yo French oak. The elegance and detail of the perfectly balanced mix of white peach, pink grapefruit and quality oak reflects the marriage of the Dijon clones and quality oak. The length and balance are immaculate.
2019 Cherubino Margaret River Chardonnay - 97/100
Rich and layered on the nose, with crushed nuts, salted peach and preserved lemon. Marzipan, nougat, nashi pear, brine and loads of creamy softness on the palate, no doubt thanks to partial mlf. Delicious. 'Oh yum' was muttered aloud while tasting this, not a common occurrence. Length of flavour shows this will continue to evolve gracefully for years.
2020 Cherubino Great Southern Riesling - 96/100
Equal thirds Frankland River, Porongurup and Mount Barker fruit. Piercing intensity on the palate which spears the tongue with acid, citrus fruit and blossom. It then glides over the rest of the mouth leaving bursts of flavour in its wake. Stopping short of fearsome (only just) this has latent power and structure to spare. It will evolve for decades in your cellar.
2020 Cherubino Margaret River Rose - 95/100
Grenache's salivating boiled lolly character wafts out of the glass. Generous, expansive fruit on the palate, yet it retains poise and restraint as it glides over the tongue. Good length of flavour means it finishes as it started, with elegance and supple fruit ... all in the pursuit of pleasure. After all – isn't that why we drink rosé?
The full list of 32 wines rated are as follows:
2018 Cherubino Budworth Cabernet Sauvignon - 98 points
2018 Cherubino Frankland River Cabernet Sauvignon Clonal Selection - 97 points
2019 Cherubino Dijon Chardonnay - 97 points
2019 Cherubino Margaret River Chardonnay - 97 points
2020 Cherubino Great Southern Riesling - 96 points
2020 Cherubino Margaret River Rose - 95 points
2019 Cherubino Frankland River Shiraz - 96 points
2020 Cherubino Porongurup Riesling - 95 points
2019 Cherubino Gin Gin Chardonnay - 95 points
2019 Cherubino Porongurup Pinot Noir - 94 points
2018 Cherubino Margaret River Cabernet Sauvignon - 94 points
2018 Cherubino Beautiful South Red wine - 92 points
2018 Cherubino Shiraz Malbec - 92 points
2018 Uovo Cabernet Nebbiolo - 92 points
2020 Laissez Faire Riesling - 95 points
2019 Laissez Faire Syrah - 95 points
2019 Laissez Faire IV Blend - 95 points
2019 Laissez Faire Porongurup Pinot Noir - 94 points
2019 Laissez Faire Chardonnay - 92 points
2019 Laissez Faire Pemberton Pinot Noir - 92points
2019 Laissez Faire Arneis - 90 points
2020 The Yard Riversdale Riesling - 95 points
2020 The Yard Channybearup Sauvignon Blanc - 92 points
2018 The Yard Riversdale Cabernet Sauvignon - 90 points
2018 Pedestal Cabernet Sauvignon - 96 points
2018 Pedestal Elevation Cabernet Blend - 95 points
2020 Pedestal Sauvignon Blanc - 92 points
2020 Pedestal Semillon Sauvignon Blanc - 92 points
2018 Ad Hoc Avant Gardening Cabernet Malbec - 95 points
2020 Ad Hoc Wallflower Riesling - 90 points
2019 Apostrophe Possessive Reds' - 91 points
2020 Folklore Classic White - 91 points
James Halliday Ten Great Reds
July 2021
2018 CHERUBINO BUDWORTH CABERNET SAUVIGNON
"Great colour, deep but vivid crimson.purple. Cedary French oak and blackcurrant fruit are joined at the hip by superb tannins that reflect the day-by-day assessement of the must during the latter weeks of maceration. The mouthwatering savoury aftertaste is the coup de grace for this great Cabernet."
James Halliday
Gourmet Traveller - Best places to drink wine
August 2021
GO FOR: WHATEVER VENUE MANAGER AND SOMMELIER WILL ROSER HAS OPEN FOR YOU TO TRY
"City Cellar opened at the end of 2020 – a year that demanded extra hope and patience. It operates both as a cellar door for Larry Cherubino wines and a wine bar (a very limited number of back vintages and rare museum releases are available in the bar or for takeaway). The wine list houses a focused and deeply exciting Italian selection, which – as substantiated rumour has it – was started with Larry’s personal cellar, but has since expanded to an even bigger, super impressive collection. Like all good neighbourhood bars, there’s always something open that isn’t on the by-the-glass list."
Erin Larkin
169-171 Rokeby Road
Subiaco WA 6008
Entry via Xanthis Lane
2021 Halliday Wine Companion Results
5th August 2020
James Halliday has released his scores for the 2021 Wine Companion. We have 22 wines that have received 95 points and above!
Here is a list of these wines and their reviews:
2019 Cherubino Great Southern Riesling - 97 points
All the tightness, precision and intensity of the palate have been prophesied by the bouquet and reinforced by the aftertaste. Meyer lemon, lime and Granny Smith apple are welded together by the core of acidity that will underwrite the longevity of the wine.
2019 Cherubino Porongurup Riesling - 96 points
There’s a laser precision to riesling from Porongurup as this attests. A touch of lavender to the citrus blossom, grapefruit alongside Meyer lemon and mouth-watering chalky acidity. Long, pure and classy.
2018 Cherubino Margaret River Chardonnay - 96 points
Impressive from the start, offering the best regional flavours. Stone fruit, grapefruit, creamy honeycomb, ginger spice and flint; oak neatly in place yet playing a part. Complex, powerful and utterly delicious.
2018 Cherubino Gingin Chardonnay - 96 points
A real energy and drive here with a more linear, taut structure compared with its Dijon/Karridale sibling. Mouth-watering flavours of pink grapefruit, lemon with struck-match, flinty sulphides. Laser precision across the palate but there’s give, it’s not lean and mean. It has power and drive with refreshing acidity to the very end.
2017 Cherubino Frankland River Cabernet Sauvignon - 96 points
It starts out allserious and broody offering a hint of the savouriness with licorice, meat stock and wormwood. It’s full-bodied with densely packed tannins and yet, it doesn’t feel weighty. It unfurls with aplomb and while it’s a pleasure to drink now, time will be its benefactor.
2019 Laissez Faire Riesling - 95 points
A real thirst quencher thanks to itslemon sorbet acidity, saline crunch and zippy palate. It’s all about citrus flavours and is lip-smackingly good.
2017 Uovo Riesling - 95 points
The Uovo range has been a revelation despite the absence of any detail about it. Still, no better example than this riesling that has a beautiful acid line with layers of flavour and texture. Lemon and ginger curd, fresh citrus and plenty of juiciness across the palate with a dash of sweetness softening the finish.
2018 Cherubino Beautiful South White Wine - 95 points
From the best blocks of sauvignon blanc from a selection of Great Southern vineyards. It was wild- fermented and matured in French oak for 6 months. It can be cellared for at least a decade. It’s a powerful wine, acidity providing all the structure required for this to prove true.
2018 Ad Hoc Hen & Chicken Chardonnay - 95 points
The name refers to the Gingin clone that produces radically different sized berries on each bunch.
The result is a wine with great concentration and depth that will leave all other chardonnays at this price gasping for breath – there is a full panoply of chardonnay fruit flavours from melon to vanilla and white peach.
Cherubino Dijon Chardonnay 2018 - 95 points
Dijon, as in clones 95 and 96 grown in Karridale. A mighty fine result. Moreish, savoury with grapefruit, pomelo, ginger spice and sweet oak influence. Fuller bodied, creamy across thepalate and yet reined in by refreshing, lithe acidity.
2018 Laissez Faire Chardonnay - 95 points
No shortage of flavour with grapefruit, stone fruit and oak spices. A juiciness across the palate with fresh acidity plus creamy leesy influence, but not too much. This only spent 6 months in new and used French oak but it feels more substantial. Very good drinking now.
2017 Uovo Chardonnay - 95 points
Frustrating not having moreinformation. Regardless, this is a gem. Tight, linear with a fine acid line yet layers of flavour and a real depth. Stone fruit, lemon with ginger cream, fabulous texture, almost chalky.
2019 Laissez Faire Fiano - 95 points
Fiano can handle oak, but not too much.The back label states whole-bunch pressed and partial-barrel fermentation. It has more phenolic grip as a result. It’s textural and honeyed on the palate. Lemon blossom, fresh herbs with lots of ginger and spices on the nose.
2018 Laissez Faire Vermentino 2018 - 95 points
It has a depth of flavour often missing with Australian renditions. Sure it has the lemon saline allure, the camomile and blossom, but it’s the palate that stands out – textural, some phenolics adding a comment.
2018 Laissez Faire Field Blend 2018 - 95 points
Gewurztraminer, pinot grigio, riesling and pinot blanc form the quartet. No information other than the back label claiming hand-harvested and natural fermentation. It tastes as if there’s been some skin contact, heady aromatics spicy and citrussy with the palate in tow. Well handled phenolics and a savoury, moreish finish. Love it.
2018 Laissez Faire Syrah - 95 points
Estate-grown (Riversdale Vineyard); hand-picked and sorted, matured for 10 months in French oak. This is high quality shiraz fruit handled with attention to detail. It is fragrant and juicy, long and very well balanced. Texture and structure in a medium-bodied guise, and a cornucopia of black fruits.
2018 Cherubino Frankland River Shiraz - 95 points
It has regional appeal aplenty – black–blue fruits, squid ink and black pepper; on first pour, somewhat hammered by lots of varnishy-sweet-charry oak. Yet all that fades with air, to reveal a vibrancy and plushness. Ripe, dense tannins and appealing in the end.
2018 Uovo Grenache - 95 points
This is the essence of grenache. Heady aromatics of florals, red fruits, musk and a touch of cherry cola, but it’s the palate that makes this special. Medium-bodied with fine-grained tannins and, while the fruit is delicious, the enjoyment is in its savouriness. Grenache in Frankland River is proving to be something special.
2017 The Yard Riversdale Cabernet Sauvignon - 95 points
The substantial Riversdale Vineyard was originally planted in the mid-’90s, so the vines are relatively young. One can only imagine how good it will be in another 10 years. Not that this wine needs any excuses, it’s classic cabernet with blackcurrant, black olive and bay leaf aromas/flavours supported by firm tannins that are the markers of prime quality cabernet sauvignon.
2017 Cherubino Rivers End Cabernet Sauvignon - 95 points
Percentage unknown but a blend of fruit is from Frankland River and Margaret River, the latter taking the lead: mulberry, earth, lead pencil and warm spices. Lots to take away and enjoy with its soft, shapely tannins and freshness throughout. It’s in the zone.
2017 Cherubino Margaret River Cabernet Sauvignon - 95 point
Fruit sourced from Wilyabrup sites so it is full of cassis, mulberries, licorice and violets. A lovely start .A vibrancy throughout with finely chiselled tannins and bright acidity working across the medium-bodied palate. Approachable now and will reward the patient.
2017 Cherubino Beautiful South Red Wine 2017 - 95 points
A blend of cabernet sauvignon and malbec from the Riversdale Vineyard in Frankland River. Shot with savouryflavours of licorice, warm earth and wood spices. There’s a flutter of leafy freshness, cassis with captivating tannins.
Cherubino Frankland River 'Budworth' Cabernet Sauvignon - 99 points!
April 2020
Nick Stock the Executive Editor of www.jamessuckling.com was recently in the Margaret River region and wrote “The 2018 vintage is one to celebrate and collect as wines come out on the market”.
He reviewed a multitude of wines from the region with 16 of our wines reviewed and rated. The 2018 Cherubino Frankland River ‘Budworth’ Cabernet Sauvignon received an amazing 99 points!
Below is a full list of the wines reviewed and their rating.
2018 Cherubino Frankland River ‘Budworth’ Cabernet Sauvignon - 99 points
Such impressive red plums and mulberries are delivered in bright, pure style here with dark, violet florals. Then there’s a wealth of savory notes, such as cedar, gun flint and cloves. It is so complex already. The palate delivers a very convincing array of purple-berry and plum flavors that completely coat the mouth. So harmonious, the resolve, depth and purity this wields is so impressive. Long and pure dark-berry flavors abound. Like a great young Cos d’Estournel! Drink or cellar for 15 plus years.
2019 Cherubino Margaret River Chardonnay - 97 points
Such a complex chardonnay with lime-peel, yellow-grapefruit and grilled-lemon aromas, as well as nectarines and white peaches. Grilled hazelnuts, too. The palate has a super fleshy and bold feel with a very intense, very long and juicy core of rich, stone-fruit flavors. Grilled-hazelnut finish. Drink or hold.
2019 Cherubino Dijon Chardonnay - 97 points
This has very impressive, flinty and fresh yellow grapefruit with white peaches and wet stones. The complexity is beautifully judged. The palate has such riveting freshness and concentration. The pithy peach and grapefruit flavors are so, so intense here. Long, fresh and deep. This is spectacular. Drink or hold.
2018 Cherubino Margaret River Cabernet Sauvignon - 96 points
Super deep, rich aromas of raspberries, dark cherries, blackcurrants and plums here with attractive cedary oak also in the mix. The palate delivers such depth and effortlessly rich, smooth dark-berry flavors fill the mouth, amid velvety, ribbon-like tannins. Silky and beautifully resolved. Drink or hold.
2018 Cherubino Gin Gin Chardonnay - 95 points
There’s density here with bold peaches and apricots, as well as dried peach and savory notes of biscuit, toasted almond and praline. The palate is very juicy, very rich and dense. This clone delivers such intensity. Good potential for this wine to age. Big flavors. Drink or hold.
2019 Cherubino Porongurup Riesling - 95 points
This has a beautifully crisp and dry feel with a wealth of very vivid notes of lemons, wet stones and hints of herbs and green apples. The palate has such freshness and verve and really strikes the finish cleanly. So long, dry and pure. Drink or hold.
2019 Cherubino Great Southern Riesling - 94 points
This has attractive mineral-salt perfume, together with dried stone fruit, limes and lemons. Flinty notes, too. The palate is fresh, lively and pithy with salty appeal and a succulent, juicy draw of intense lime flavor. Drink or hold.
2018 Cherubino Beautiful South Red - 94 points
Rich aromas of blueberries, currants, mint and wild herbs here with a very sleek, plush and juicy palate that trades on polished tannins, which carve a smooth, long shape. Fresh, spiced blueberry and plum flavors hold long. A blend of cabernet sauvignon, merlot and malbec. Drink or hold.
2019 Cherubino Pemberton Sauvignon Blanc - 94 points
Cherubino manages to get the absolute most from his sauvignon blanc. Intense green mangoes, peaches and limes are lightly glazed with some careful oak fermentation. The palate is beautifully fresh and layered with intense, lemon and grapefruit flavors. Long and satisfying. Drink or hold.
2018 Cherubino Frankland River Shiraz - 94 points
This has sultry, wet-stone aromas with fresh red flowers and spiced red plums on offer. Super fresh. The palate has a plush, succulent and juicy feel with a vibrant, spicy delivery of red-plum flavors and smoothly layered tannins. Fresh and alluring. Drink or hold.
2018 Uovo Grenache - 93 points
A sultry nose with terra-cotta, gunflint and bright red-fruit aromas on offer, as well as some mountain herbs in the background. The palate has a very smooth, juicy core of raspberries with a sleek delivery of fine, granular tannin. Savory, yet fruit-focused style here. Drink now.
2018 The Yard Riversdale Cabernet Sauvignon - 92 points
An accessible yet impressive take on Frankland River cabernet with aromas of rose and red cherries. The medium-bodied, very plush and juicy palate carries delightfully fresh, charming red-plum and berry flavors. Drink now.
2018 Cherubino Pemberton Chardonnay - 92 points
Attractive, toasty praline and lemon-butter aromas here. The palate has a smooth, fleshy core of nectarines and white peaches and some buttery notes to close. Drink now.
2019 Laissez Faire Riesling - 92 points
The most approachable of the Cherubino rieslings with a softer stance and a style that melds the intense citrus into pears and apples. Drink now.
2019 Laissez Faire Chardonnay - 91 points
This has a fresh array of peaches and pears with a smooth, dry palate that delivers attractive, savory-pastry flavors. Drink now.
2019 Laissez Faire Mencia - 91 points
A complex nose with spices, fresh earth, fresh leather and brambly, redder-fruit aromas on offer. The palate has a sleek, fine-boned feel with an elegant, crisp, slate, berry and rose finish. Drink now.
2021 West Australian Wine Guide
December 2020
This comes off the famous Riversdale vineyard in Frankland River. It is a wine of extraordinary elegance and style, while packing a powerhouse engine room through the palate. Fragrant black fruit characters with a distinct cedary lift from the new and one-year-old oak. The chalky tannins add substantial support. Very long and brilliant structured wine that shows how good cabernet can be from this region.
98/100 - Runner up
Gorgeous, just gorgeous. Wonderful example of Frankland River shiraz made in a style which is becoming the classic style of the region. More restraint and subtle expression. Perfumed notes of plum and blackberry with a subtle blueberry infusion. The palate is more in the medium-bodied zone and is so balanced. A wine of great elegance and charm.
97/100 - Runner up
A super concentrated and powerful cabernet from Margaret River. It is such a striking wine with bay leaf, blackcurrant and a trace of edgy black olive adding further complexity. Tannins have been expertly managed and the new and one-year-old oak applied to ensure long-term ageing. Typical of the vintage with energy and life in the palate.
97/100
This is powerhouse chardonnay from fruit sourced in the south of the region at Karridale. Fragrances of butterscotch and brioche with a subtle roasted almond influence. The palate is so rich and layered with lavish, deep flavour concentration powering through to a sustained lingering finish.
96/100
Beautifully precise and keenly focused riesling from Porongurup - a region that is so well suited to riesling. Has a minerally and spicy fragrance. The palate is deeply intense but delivers with a subtle delicacy. Slight bath salts lift through to the finish.
94/100
Cherubino gets his fruit from his Pemberton vineyard. It’s a region well suited to this variety and this one works well. It’s made into the traditional fume style with oak fermentation and maturation. The oak is certainly noticeable, but it never overwhelms and sits harmoniously within the wine as an important part of further ageing in the bottle.
92/100
James Suckling Top 100 Australian Wines of 2020
4th December 2020
James Suckling & his team have tasted and rated more than 3,500 Australian wines this year. Of those 3,500 wines we have had 2 of ours make their Top 100 Australian Wines of 2020!
2018 cherubino budworth cabernet sauvignon
Such impressive red plums and mulberries are delivered in bright, pure style here with dark, violet florals. Then there’s a wealth of savory notes, such as cedar, gun flint and cloves. It is so complex already. The palate delivers a very convincing array of purple-berry and plum flavors that completely coat the mouth. So harmonious, the resolve, depth and purity this wields is so impressive. Long and pure dark-berry flavors abound. Like a great young Cos d’Estournel! Drink or cellar for 15 plus years.
99 points
2019 cherubino dijon chardonnay
This has very impressive, flinty and fresh yellow grapefruit with white peaches and wet stones. The complexity is beautifully judged. The palate has such riveting freshness and concentration. The pithy peach and grapefruit flavors are so, so intense here. Long, fresh and deep. This is spectacular. Drink or hold.
97 points
2020 Halliday Wine Companion Results
8 July 2019
The 2020 Halliday Wine Companion has just been released and we have been very successful once again. We have 30 wines included in this year’s publication with 17 being rated a Gold Medal (95-99 points) and the other 13 being a Silver Medal (90-94 points).
The reviews and ratings are as follows:
2016 CHERUBINO FRANKLAND RIVER CABERNET SAUVIGNON
From the estate Riversdale Vineyard, hand-picked and sorted, fermented and macerated on skins for 2 months before maturation in new and 1yo French barrels. Fuller-bodied than any prior Cherubino cabernet I can remember, but carries its weight with grace approaching nonchalance. The bouquet and palate are equally deep in their expression of varietal character. The quality of the persistent, yet unexpectedly soft, tannins is a high point, and doesn't leave anything getting in the way of the finish and aftertaste.
98 POINTS
2017 CHERUBINO FRANKLAND RIVER SHIRAZ
Made from four clones, hand-picked from Larry Cherubino's Riversdale Vineyard. After sorting, the wine spent 6 weeks on skins in the ferments, matured in new and 1yo French barrels. It is very complex, ribbons of oak stretched through spicy aniseed black fruits and fine tannins of a palate that continuously throws down challenges to you. Should be spectacular in 10 years' time.
97 POINTS
2016 CHERUBINO MARGARET RIVER CABERNET SAUVIGNON
From several vineyards in Wilyabrup, hand-picked and sorted, fermented and macerated for 6 weeks, matured in new and 1yo French oak for 12 months. The complexity starts with the fragrant bouquet and continues on the supple palate with totally beguiling and intense, yet light-footed, red berries and fruits.
97 POINTS
2018 THE YARD RIVERSDALE RIESLING
Hand-picked from the Riversdale Vineyard, its floral bouquet has wafts of spice, talc and apple blossom, the palate, with all encompassing drive and intensity as citrus and minerally acidity compete for dominance. Neither wins, an honourable draw the outcome.
96 POINTS
2017 CHERUBINO MARGARET RIVER CHARDONNAY
This is from the cool Karridale district of southern Margaret River, and vinified in the same fashion as its siblings. It is as fresh as a daisy, bursting with energy, yet retaining focus and poise. Despite the expansive use of new/near new oak, the finesse and intensity of the fruit is more than a match.
96 POINTS
2018 CHERUBINO GREAT SOUTHERN RIESLING
Forged from equal shares of grapes grown in the Frankland River, Mount Barker and Porongurup. While boasting layers of citrus-based fruits, it has a delicious silver line of acidity giving it vibrant flavours now, and more to come over the next 10 or so years.
95 POINTS
2018 AD HOC WALLFLOWER RIESLING
Wallflower indeed. The bouquet is full of high-pitched citrus and wild flower aromas, the palate beating a tattoo of drums with its intensity and insistent length. The name suggests it's a shy and unassuming wine, and I totally disagree with that. The value offered needs no comment.
95 POINTS
2011 CHERUBINO PORONGURUP RIESLING
Mid straw-green, bright for its age. It sets the scene for a Peter Pan wine, leaving you to wonder when it will ever reach full maturity. But that's looking a gift horse in the mouth. As it is, it combines a crisp mouthfeel, and evenly balanced citrus/apple fruit, retaining the delicacy it had in its youth.
95 POINTS
2018 CHERUBINO PEMBERTON SAUVIGNON BLANC
From the estate Channybearup Vineyard, wild-fermented, matured in French barrels for 4 months. The oak is evident on the bouquet, but it's the texture, structure and flavour of the palate that really benefits. The complexity comes from a gently smoky overlay to the fruit flavours, the mouthfeel softened and expanded.
95 POINTS
2018 THE YARD CHANNYBEARUP SAUVIGNON BLANC
This has exceptional varietal flavour, both complex and long; it's not obvious, but the wine was partially fermented in French oak, which hasn't diminished the fruit expression, but has subtly increased the complexity. Appropriate terroir, high quality grapes and good winemaking at work.
95 POINTS
2017 CHERUBINO DIJON CHARDONNAY
A blend of clones 95 and 96, hand-picked, whole-bunch pressed, fermented and matured in new and 1yo French barriques for 6 months. It has the delicate touch that Cherubino uses with all his white wines. This is a baby, with fresh citrus and stone fruits to the fore, and will steadily develop in bottle through to '24 and beyond. Cool Karridale is an ideal site for the French clones.
95 POINTS
2017 CHERUBINO GINGIN CHARDONNAY
Identical vinification to its Karridale sibling, only clones (and terroir) separating them. This has more depth and richness, strictly the outcome of using this clone, the two wines making a classic wine masterclass, the other variable. The warmer climate of Wilyabrup compared to Karridale.
95 POINTS
2017 AD HOC MIDDLE OF EVERYWHERE SHIRAZ
A plume of exotic spices is threaded through the fragrant bouquet of plum and blackberry fruit, and the vibrant palate follows the lead with enthusiastic support. The texture and structure of the mouthfeel add a further dimension to a very, very smart wine. A knockout at this price.
95 POINTS
2017 PEDESTAL CABERNET MERLOT
From vineyards in the highly esteemed Wilyabrup district, matured in French oak for 12 months. The bouquet opens with dried bay leaf and foresty aromas, the palate picking up pace with similar flavours given extra drive by ripe gravelly tannins.
95 POINTS
2017 THE YARD RIVERSDALE CABERNET SAUVIGNON
The substantial Riversdale Vineyard was planted as recently as '97, so the vines are relatively young. One can only imagine how good it will be in another 10 years. Not that this wine needs any excuses, it's classic cabernet, with blackcurrant, black olive and bay leaf aromas/flavours supported by firm tannins that are the markers of prime quality cabernet sauvignon.
95 POINTS
2016 CHERUBINO BEAUTIFUL SOUTH RED WINE
Cabernet sauvignon, merlot and malbec grown on the estate Riversdale Vineyard in Frankland River. From the opening bell of the bouquet, French oak makes a statement, coupled with rich blackcurrant fruit and dusty cabernet tannins. Bred to stay.
95 POINTS
2016 PEDESTAL ELEVATION
88% cabernet sauvignon, 12% malbec, planted in '98 at the highest point of the Wilyabrup Valley, hand-picked from specific rows, the parcels berry-sorted, matured in French oak for 12 months and held in bottle for a further 12 months before release. There's a lot of wine here, and further time (2-3 years) will be repaid with interest.
95 POINTS
2018 Cherubino Porongurup Riesling - 94 points
2017 Laissez Faire Chardonnay - 94 points
2018 Ad Hoc PIP Rose - 94 points
2017 The Yard Riversdale Shiraz - 94 points
2018 Laissez Faire Riesling - 93 points
2018 Pedestal Semillon Sauvignon Blanc - 93 points
2016 Cherubino Rivers End Cabernet Sauvignon - 93 points
2018 Apostrophe Stones Throw White - 92 points
2017 Laissez Faire Syrah - 92 points
2018 Ad Hoc Strawman Sauvignon Blanc Semillon - 91 points
2018 Laissez Faire Fiano - 91 points
2018 Laissez Faire Pinot Blanc - 91 points
2017 The Yard Acacia Shiraz - 91 points
Matthew Jukes - 100 Best Australian Wines
28 May 2019
The Sixteenth Edition of Matthew Jukes' 100 Best Australian Wines Report represents the finest one hundred Australian wines available on the shelves in the UK for the coming twelve months.
It is designed as a balanced, modern collection of all styles of wine, including sparklers, whites, reds, sweet and fortified wines.
We are lucky enough to have four wines included in this edition. These wines are:
2018 Laissez Faire Riesling
2017 Laissez Faire Syrah
2017 Cherubino Margaret River Chardonnay
2017 Ad Hoc Middle of Everywhere Shiraz
Wine Show of Western Australia
November 2020
At the 2020 Wine Show of Western Australia we won 5 x Trophies, 5 x Gold Medals, 12 x Silver Medals and 17 x Bronze Medals. Below are the details of our Trophy wins and Gold Medals:
Best Riesling
Best Aged Riesling
Best Great Southern White
Best Pinot Noir
Best Great Southern Red
GOLD MEDAL
2017 Ad Hoc Wallflower Riesling
2019 Laissez Faire Pemberton Pinot Noir
2018 Ad Hoc Middle of Everywhere Shiraz
2018 Cherubino Shiraz Malbec
2019 Cherubino Gin Gin Chardonnay
SILVER MEDAL
2018 Cherubino Frankland River Shiraz
2018 Cherubino Beautiful South Red Wine
2018 Cherubino Budworth Cabernet Sauvignon
2018 Cherubino Frankland River Cabernet Sauvignon Clonal Selection
2019 Cherubino Porongurup Riesling
2019 Laissez Faire ‘IV’ Grenache Syrah Mataro Counoise
2019 Laissez Faire Porongurup Pinot Noir
2020 The Yard Riversdale Riesling
2020 Pedestal Sauvignon Blanc
2019 Pedestal Chardonnay
2019 Ad Hoc Wallflower Riesling
2020 Ad Hoc Wallflower Riesling
BRONZE MEDAL
2019 Cherubino Dijon Chardonnay
2020 Cherubino Porongurup Riesling
2018 Cherubino Margaret River Cabernet Sauvignon
2020 Cherubino Mount Barker Riesling
2019 Laissez Faire Fiano
2019 Laissez Faire Arneis
2020 Laissez Faire Riesling
2020 Laissez Faire Pinot Blanc
2018 The Yard Riversdale Shiraz
2018 The Yard Riversdale Cabernet Sauvignon
2018 Pedestal Cabernet Sauvignon
2018 Pedestal Elevation
2018 Ad Hoc Avant Gardening Cabernet Malbec
2019 Ad Hoc Cruel Mistress Pinot Noir
2018 Ad Hoc Wallflower Riesling
2019 Apostrophe Possessive Reds’
2019 Apostrophe Stones Throw White
2020 Halliday Top 100
November 2020
We were lucky enough to once again be included in this year's Halliday Top 100 with the following 2 wines making this years list:
2019 cherubino dijon chardonnay
'Fermented and matured for 10 months in new and 1yo French oak. The elegance and detail of the perfectly balanced mix of white peach, pink grapefruit and quality oak reflects the marriage of the Dijon clones and quality oak. The length and balance are immaculate.'
97 points
2018 PEDESTAL CABERNET SAUVIGNON
'From vineyards in Wilyabrup, matured in French oak for 12 months. It ticks all the boxes with its cassis fruit on the one hand, firm cabernet tannins on the other providing all-up balance. Exceptional value for a wine with an extended drinking window of opportunity.'
96 points
2020 Perth Royal Wine Show
September 2020
The Perth Royal Wine Show awards were announced recently where we won a Trophy, 2 x Gold Medals, 1 x Silver Medal and 16 x Bronze Medals.
2019 Ad Hoc Wallflower Riesling - TOP GOLD
GOLD MEDAL
2019 Ad Hoc Wallflower Riesling
2019 Cherubino Dijon Chardonnay
SILVER MEDAL
2019 Laissez Faire Riesling
BRONZE MEDAL
2019 Cherubino Great Southern Riesling
2019 Cherubino Riversdale Riesling
2019 Cherubino Pemberton Sauvignon Blanc
2018 Cherubino Margaret River Cabernet Sauvignon
2018 Cherubino Frankland River Cabernet Sauvignon Clonal Selection
2017 Cherubino Beautiful South Red Wine
2019 Uovo Riesling
2018 Uovo Grenache
2020 Laissez Faire Pinot Blanc
2019 Laissez Faire Pemberton Pinot Noir
2018 The Yard Riversdale Shiraz
2018 Pedestal Cabernet Sauvignon
2020 Pedestal Sauvignon Blanc
2018 Ad Hoc Avant Gardening Cabernet Malbec
2018 Ad Hoc Middle of Everywhere Shiraz
2019 Apostrophe Stones Throw White
2020 Margaret River Wine Show
October 2020
GOLD MEDAL
SILVER MEDAL
BRONZE MEDAL
Ray Jordan Wine Guide 2020
December 2019
Ray Jordan has just released his annual Wine Guide for 2020. Along with some brililant reviews Larry had the honour of being named Winemaker of the Year by Ray! Here's what Ray had to say about Larry:
Cherubino is one of the state's finest winemakers. Since arriving back in Western Australia as a precocious young winemaker in charge of Houghton some years ago, he has established his own label in addition to making wines for other producers such as Robert Oatley wines. He also consults for others, including Wise Wines, which has been transformed in recent years. Cherubino's wines have the stamp of class. They are polished and perfectly finished and he is not afraid to push the envelope in style.
Ray also included 6 of our wines in the guide which all received some great ratings:
2019 LAISSEZ FAIRE RIESLING
A great example of how Larry Cherubino as adopted a minimal-intervention approach with this range. Hand harvesting and sorting and then not much more. It’s minerally and quite spicy, with a dusting of bath salts and lemon zest. Restrained yet with lovely delicate flavours. Very attractive wine for the next few years.
93/100
2018 LAISSEZ FAIRE SYRAH
What a thoroughly gorgeous example of Frankland syrah from the famous Riversdale vineyard. This is made to be more delicate and restrained but a combination of a very good vintage and high-class vineyard pumps plenty of sumptuous, plush fruit into the palate. Minimal intervention and no filtration with only minimal sulphites. Seamless and textured with a fine gravelly palate. Just terrific.
95/100
2018 LAISSEZ FAIRE MENCIA
Unusual variety that is native to Portugal and Spain on the Iberian Peninsula. Plush fruit with a palate feel that is more towards varieties such as gamay or even pinot noir. Bright and vibrant colours and a smooth friendly palate. In fact, the palate is a feature. Just so soft and velvety yet there is a fine tannin spine for structure.
92/100
2018 THE YARD ACACIA SHIRAZ
Superb wine from this exceptional vintage. So much depth and concentration in the palate. Yet it has been deftly presented with powdery tannins, neatly weighted oak and a fine acidity to being the wine to life. Rich and delicious. Love the dark plum and black cherry flavours with a dab of spice.
95/100
2018 THE YARD RIVERSDALE SHIRAZ
A beautifully seductive and captivating wine from this excellent vineyard. Has such a wonderful palate structure, with silky fine tannins and fine-grained oak working harmoniously with the gorgeously vibrant fruit. There is a so much life and energy in the palate. Complex mix of liqueurs and spices make for great drinking.
96 /100
2017 THE YARD RIVERSDALE CABERNET SAUVIGNON
This is a generous and smooth expression of Frankland cabernet from a vintage that presented a few problems. Not that you would really know it from such an excellent wine. Deep blackcurrant and gamey characters within, plus a dollop of dark chocolate. Fine powdery tannins and a hint of oak. Bright and lively.
92/100
James Suckling Top 100 Australian Wines
3 November 2019
James Suckling & his team have tasted and rated more than 2,700 Australian wines in 2019. Of those 2,700 wines we have had 2 of ours make their Top 100 Australian Wines of 2019!
2017 Cherubino Frankland River SHiraz
Vibrant, ripe and attractive dark berries with blue cherries, blueberries and cassis. The palate has pomegranate, pepper and red plums at the core with sweetly fragrant spices, licorice and pepper notes at the finish. There's a lot to like here. It really holds well.
96 points
2017 cherubino margaret river cabernet sauvignon
The blackcurrant, fresh herb, blueberry and hazelnut character is very impressive, yet this remains refined and subtle. Full-bodied, firm and silky with chewy tannins that are polished and so pointed. Beauty all around. Shows precision and polish.
96 points
2019 National Cool Climate Wine Show
25th October 2019
The results for the 2019 National Cool Climate Wine Show have been announced. We are proud to announce we have won the Champion Chardonnay Trophy with our 2018 Cherubino Margaret River Chardonnay!
Along with this Trophy we won another 4 Gold's, 4 Silver's and multiple Bronze Medals.
The full list of medal winning wines is as follows:
2018 Cherubino Margaret River Chardonnay- TROPHY - Champion Chardonnay
GOLD MEDAL
2018 Cherubino Margaret River Chardonnay
2018 Cherubino Gin Gin Chardonnay
2018 Cherubino Dijon Chardonnay
2018 Laissez Faire ‘IV’ Grenache, Shiraz, Counoise, Mataro
SILVER MEDAL
2017 Cherubino Frankland River Malbec
2018 Laissez Faire Chardonnay
2018 The Yard Riversdale Shiraz
2018 Apostrophe Possessive Reds’
BRONZE MEDAL
2018 Cherubino Frankland River Shiraz
2018 Laissez Faire Syrah
2017 Cherubino Beautiful South White
2017 Cherubino Mount Barker Riesling
2018 Cherubino Shiraz Malbec
2017 Cherubino Frankland River Cabernet Sauvignon
2017 Cherubino Margaret River Cabernet Sauvignon
2018 Laissez Faire Pinot Blanc
2018 Laissez Faire Field Blend
2019 Laissez Faire Riesling
2019 Laissez Faire Fiano
2018 The Yard Channybearup Sauvignon Blanc
2017 The Yard Riversdale Cabernet Sauvignon
2018 Pedestal Chardonnay
2017 Pedestal Elevation
2017 Ad Hoc Avant Gardening Cabernet Malbec
2019 Apostrophe Stones Throw White
2018 Folklore Shiraz
2018 Uovo Grenache
2018 LC Malbec
2019 Margaret River Wine Show
31st October 2019
The results for this years Margaret River Wine Show have been announced where we have won a Gold Medal for our 2018 Cherubino Dijon Chardonnay!
Along with this Gold we have won 4 x Bronze Medals. Our full medal list is as follows:
GOLD MEDAL
2018 Cherubino Dijon Chardonnay
Bronze MEdal
2019 Halliday Top 100
November 2019
We were lucky enough to once again be included in this year's Halliday Top 100 with 3 of our wines making the list. These wines are as follows:
'The name refers to the clone that produces radically different sized berries on each bunch. The result is a wine with great concentration and depth that will leave all other chardonnays at this price gasping for breath - there is a full panoply of chardonnay fruit flavours from melon to vanilla and white peach.'
95 points
'Made to measure for restaurant dining, but has a broader market because riesling is the dominant partner, and such residual sugar as there is in the wine isn't obvious. It's crisp, lively and jumping with citrus juice/citrus zest flavours.'
94 points
'A sauvignon blanc/semillon sourced from the Great Southern. Has attitude and drive, the fruit a shimmering bundle of passionfruit, citrus of all kinds, and Granny Smith apple. Spectacular bargain a la Cherubino.'
92 points
2019 Perth Royal Wine Show
30th August 2019
On Friday it was announced that we were this years Most Successful Western Australian Wine Exhibitor at the Perth Royal Wine Show! Our second Trophy win for this show was for Wines of Provenance Best Red or White Varietal for our Cherubino Porongurup Riesling.
Along with these 2 Trophy's we won 3 x Gold. 6 x Silver & 12 x Bronze Medals. A very successful outing for Cherubino Wines.
Here is the full list of Trophys & Medals:
Most Successful Western Australian Exhibitor - TROPHY
Wines of Provenance Best Red or White Varietal - TROPHY
Cherubino Porongurup Riesling 2018, 2011, 2008
GOLD MEDAL
2019 Ad Hoc Wallflower Riesling - TOP GOLD
2018 Laissez Faire Pinot Blanc
2018 Folklore Shiraz
SILVER MEDAL
2018 Cherubino Margaret River Chardonnay
2018 The Yard Riversdale Riesling
2018 The Yard Channybearup Sauvignon Blanc
2017 Cherubino Margaret River Cabernet
2017 The Yard Riversdale Shiraz
2018 LC Malbec
BRONZE MEDAL
2018 Cherubino Pemberton Chardonnay
2018 Laissez Faire Chardonnay
2019 Cherubino Porongurup Riesling
2019 Laissez Faire Riesling
2019 Cherubino Great Southern Riesling
2018 Laissez Faire Fiano
2018 Laissez Faire Vermentino
2018 Cherubino Beautiful South White
2019 Apostrophe Stones Throw White
2017 The Yard Riversdale Cabernet
2017 Ad Hoc Avant Gardening Cabernet Malbec
2018 Laissez Faire Syrah
2019 Royal Melbourne Wine Awards
18th October 2019
The 2019 Royal Melbourne Wine Awards have been announced and we had a very successful showing winning the Best Sauvignon Blanc Trophy for the 2018 The Yard Channybearup Sauvignon Blanc.
Along with this trophy we received 3 x Silver & 8 x Bronze medals.
Here is the full list of Trophy & Medal wins:
2018 The Yard Channybearup Sauvignon Blanc - TROPHY - Best Sauvignon Blanc
GOLD MEDAL
2018 The Yard Channybearup Sauvignon Blanc
SILVER MEDAL
2019 Cherubino Porongurup Riesling
2019 Laissez Faire Riesling
2018 Laissez Faire Syrah
BRONZE MEDAL
2019 Cherubino Great Southern Riesling
2018 Cherubino Gin Gin Chardonnay
2018 Cherubino Dijon Chardonnay
2018 Pemberton Chardonnay
2018 Laissez Faire Chardonnay
2019 Apostrophe Stone’s Throw White
2019 Ad Hoc PIP Rose
2018 Uovo Grenache
2019 National Wine Show of Australia
22 November 2019
The results for the 2019 National Wine Show of Australia have been announced. Our 2019 Apostrophe Stone's Throw White has won a Gold Medal along with 1 x Silver and 6 x Bronze Medals.
The full results are as follows:
GOLD MEDAL
2019 Apostrophe Stone’s Throw White - Top of Class
SILVER MEDAL
2018 The Yard Channybearup Sauvignon Blanc
BRONZE MEDAL
2019 Cherubino Porongurup Riesling
2019 Laissez Faire Riesling
2019 Ad Hoc Wallflower Riesling
2017 The Yard Riversdale Shiraz
2018 Apostrophe Possessive Reds’
2018 Folklore Shiraz
2019 Wine Show of Western Australia
11th October 2019
This years Wine Show of WA results have just been announced and we have taken out 2 x Trophy's!! These are for Most Successful Exhibitor & Best Blended White for our 2019 Apostrophe Stone's Throw White.
Along with these 2 x Trophy wins we have received 7 x Gold Medals, 14 X Silver Medals & 34 Bronze Medals!
Here is the full list of our Trophy’s & Medals from this years show:
Most Successful Exhibitor - TROPHY
2019 Apostrophe Stones Throw White – TROPHY, Best Blended White
GOLD MEDAL
2017 Cherubino Gin Gin Chardonnay
2018 Cherubino Porongurup Riesling
2018 Ad Hoc Wallflower Riesling
2019 Apostrophe Stone's Throw White
2018 The Yard Acacia Shiraz
2017 The Yard Riversdale Shiraz
2018 Laissez Faire ‘IV’ Grenache, Shiraz, Counoise, Mataro
SILVER MEDAL
2018 Cherubino Margaret River Chardonnay
2019 Cherubino Porongurup Riesling
2017 Cherubino Mount Barker Riesling
2017 Ad Hoc Wallflower Riesling
2015 Cherubino Porongurup Riesling
2007 The Yard Riesling
2018 Laissez Faire Pinot Blanc
2018 Folklore Shiraz
2017 Ad Hoc Middle of Everywhere Shiraz
2014 Cherubino Margaret River Cabernet Sauvignon
2018 Apostrophe Possessive Reds’
2017 Pedestal ‘Elevation’ Cabernet Sauvignon, Malbec, Cabernet Franc
2017 Cherubino Beautiful South Red
2018 LC Malbec
BRONZE MEDAL
2018 Pedestal Chardonnay
2018 Cherubino Dijon Chardonnay
2018 Cherubino Gin Gin Chardonnay
2019 Ad Hoc Wallflower Riesling
2019 Laissez Faire Riesling
2019 Cherubino Great Southern Riesling
2018 The Yard Riverdale Riesling
2017 Cherubino Porongurup Riesling
2016 Ad Hoc Wallflower Riesling
2019 Folklore Sauvignon Blanc
2019 Cherubino Pemberton Sauvignon Blanc
2018 Cherubino Beautiful South White
2019 Folklore Classic White
2019 Pedestal Semillon Sauvignon Blanc
2017 Laissez Faire Field Blend
2019 Pedestal Pinot Gris
2018 Laissez Faire Fiano
2010 The Yard Bimbimbi Riesling
2018 Ad Hoc Cruel Mistress Pinot Noir
2018 Laissez Faire Porongurup Pinot Noir
2018 Folklore Classic Red
2018 Laissez Faire Syrah
2017 The Yard Acacia Shiraz
2017 Cherubino Margaret River Cabernet Sauvignon
2017 Cherubino Rivers End Cabernet Sauvignon
2016 The Yard Riversdale Cabernet Sauvignon
2015 Cherubino Frankland River Cabernet Sauvignon
2013 The Yard Riversdale Cabernet Sauvignon
2017 Pedestal Cabernet Merlot
2017 Ad Hoc Avant Gardening Cabernet Malbec
2016 Laissez Faire ‘IV’ Shiraz, Grenache, Mataro, Counoise
2018 Uovo Grenache
2018 Laissez Faire Mencia
2017 Cherubino Frankland River Malbec
Australian Single Vineyard Wine Show - 3 x Trophy Winner!
19 July 2019
The results for the 2019 Australian Single Vineyard Wine Show have been published and we are very excited to announce we have won 3 x Trophies!!
MOST SUCCESSFUL EXHIBITOR
Larry Cherubino Wines
BEST WHITE OTHER VARIETY TROPHY
2018 The Yard Channybearup Sauvignon Blanc
BEST SHIRAZ TROPHY
2018 Laissez Faire Syrah
Along with these Trophies we also won a total of 15 medals, 4 of these being gold:
GOLD MEDAL
2018 The Yard Channybearup Sauvignon Blanc
2018 Laissez Faire Syrah
2018 Cherubino Margaret River Chardonnay
2018 Laissez Faire IV Blend
SILVER MEDAL
2018 Cherubino Dijon Chardonnay
2019 Cherubino Porongurup Riesling
2018 UOVO Grenache
BRONZE MEDAL
2018 The Yard Riversdale Riesling
2018 Cherubino Porongurup Riesling
2017 Cherubino Margaret River Semillon
2017 Cherubino Frankland River Cabernet Sauvignon
2017 The Yard Riversdale Cabernet Sauvignon
2018 The Yard Acacia Shiraz
2018 Laissez Faire Mencia
2017 Cherubino Beautiful South Red
Biggest Australian Wine Tasting ever
26 June 2019
Four locations, six states, more than 2,700 wines rated and countless winery visits and meetings later, James Suckling, Nick Stock & Jack Suckling traveled thousands of kilometers from Perth to Sydney in a three-week tasting tour that encompassed the wines from the very best producers across Western Australia, South Australia, Victoria, Tasmania, Australian Capital Territory and New South Wales.
The #realaussiewine mission they set themselves was clearly stated from the beginning: rate the best and most authentic Australian wine on offer.
Without question the biggest change to the landscape of Australian wine is a redefined idea of quality that is founded, defined and delivered by the vineyard and not by winemaking or in the winery. This idea underscores the true, the great and the #realaussiewines of today.
We were lucky enough to have 13 of our wines rated in this tasting. The results are as follows:
2017 Cherubino Frankland River Shiraz - 96 points
2018 Cherubino Porongurup Riesling - 96 points
2017 Cherubino Margaret River Cabernet Sauvignon - 96 points
2013 Cherubino Margaret River Cabernet Sauvignon - 96 points
2018 Cherubino Margaret River Chardonnay - 95 points
2018 Cherubino Dijon Chardonnay - 95 points
2018 Laissez Faire IV Blend - 94 points
2018 Laissez Faire Syrah - 94 points
2017 Cherubino Frankland River Cabernet Sauvignon - 93 points
2017 The Yard Riversdale Cabernet Sauvignon - 93 points
2018 Laissez Faire Pemberton Pinot Noir - 93 points
2018 The Yard Acacia Shiraz - 92 points
2018 Cherubino Pemberton Sauvignon Blanc - 91 points
2019 Australian Alternative Varietals Wine Show
9th November 2019
The results for the 2019 Australian Alternative Varietals Wine Show have been announced. Our 2018 Laissez Faire Mencia won a Gold Medal along with 2 x Silver's and 4 x Bronze Medals.
GOLD MEDAL
2018 Laissez Faire Mencia
SILVER MEDAL
2018 LC Malbec
BRONZE MEDAL
Wine Show of WA - Most Successful Exhibitor!
Friday 5th October
Last Friday at the Wine Show of WA Awards held in Mount Barker, we were named the Most Successful Exhibitor for 2018! We received 38 Awards in total including 5 Gold, 9 Silver and 24 Bronze. The following wines were awarded Gold:
2016 Cherubino Margaret River Chardonnay
2018 Cherubino Porongurup Riesling
2007 The Yard Riesling
2018 The Yard Channybearup Sauvignon Blanc
2017 Ad Hoc Middle of Everywhere Shiraz
A huge congratulations to the Winemaking and Viticulture team!
Pictured - Winemakers Matt Buchan, Andrew Siddell & Tarun Victor-Gordon
Halliday Top 100
Saturday 10th November
We were lucky enough to be included in this year's Halliday Top 100 with 3 of our wines making the list. The following wines were all awarded 95 points:
2018 The Yard Channybearup Sauvignon Blanc
2017 Ad Hoc Middle of Everywhere Shiraz
2018 Ad Hoc Wallflower Riesling
A Perfect 10 in The Weekend Australian
June 30, 2018
Our cellar door made the Weekend Australian's top 10 best places to visit in the Margaret River region. Jennifer Ennion wrote the article; we've pasted the relevant bits in this PDF.
Feature article in Sunday Times
30 April 2018
Gail Williams has written a four page article about us in the Sunday Times. Click here to read it in full.
Larry Cherubino Wines listed as one of the world's Top 50 Wine Experiences
January 2018
We're pleased to have been listed as one of the best wine travel experiences in the world by Gourmet Traveller Wine magazine! If you're interested in sampling any of the rare and/or back vintages mentioned in the article, we look forward to hosting you at our Margaret River cellar door.
Summer in Calabria by Natalina Cherubino
23rd June 2017
Inspired by a love of fresh ingredients, her grandchildren and the joy of cooking for others, Natalina has compiled her story into 370 pages of memories and photographs with over 60 recipes from the heart.
Summer in Calabria' tells the story of Natalina's return to the remote southern Italian village of La Rocca, where she was born. After nearly six decades of living in Australia, Natalina knew she had come home.
Reviews
"Natalina's recipes come from the heart. They are authentic and celebrate her love of fresh, local produce." - Guy Grossi
"This book of memories and recipes charmingly illustrates Natalina's strong ties to Calabria." - Antonio Carluccio, OBE OMRI
Click here to purchase
Larry Cherubino Wines shine at the 2017 Qantas epiQure Halliday Wine Companion Awards
4 August 2016
Halliday has spoken, and once again it’s excellent news for Western Australian wine, with Larry Cherubino Wines awarded Best Value Winery of the Year in the 2017 Qantas epiQure Halliday Wine Companion Awards. Recognised as one of the Australian wine industry’s highest honours, Halliday’s Best Value Winery award recognises producers whose portfolio confidently displays that most holy of unions – outstanding wines and great value for money. Click here for the full story and our James Halliday's Wine Companion ratings >
FOUR the love of Wine
October 19 2015
Larry’s wines were presented at a James Halliday led tasting at Vue De Monde in Melbourne, and Quay Restaurant in Sydney alongside Robert Oatley and Charles Heidsieck wines.
