2020 Halliday Wine Companion Results
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.
