2022 James Suckling reviews
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
