Ray Jordan 2024 WA Wine Review
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
2022 CHERUBINO MARGARET RIVER CHARDONNAY
Superb chardonnay showcasing all that is good with this variety in Margaret River. Aromas of quince, mustard and lemon zest with a grapefruit edge. The palate shows the richness developed from barrel fermentation. The fine grapefruit and crunchy minerality are sustained to a very long finish. A powerful wine of great class.
96/100
2019 CHERUBINO FRANKLAND RIVER CABERNET SAUVIGNON
A glorious example of Frankland cabernet. The varietal notes of blackcurrant and a little black olive are beautifully infiltrated by that regional ironstone character. The palate is a powerhouse with a firm core of new and one-year-old oak working with the firm chalky tannins to carry effortlessly through to a sustained finish. Still quite tight at the moment but extended cellaring will see something special.
97/100
2022 ON THE FRINGE CHARDONNAY
This is a wine that Cherubino has a bit of fun with using lots of different things to create a distinctive and compelling wine. Love the creamy brioche and funky minerally palate. It’s rich and flavoursome with tremendous depth and concentration that finishes with an elegant flourish.
95/100
2022 CHERUBINO OVALE CAVES ROAD CHARDONNAY
As the name suggests the fruit comes from a number of vineyards down this famous road from Karridale, through Wallcliffe through to Wilyabrup. It is such a vibrant and lively crunchy wine with tremendous life in the palate. Distinctive citrus tang with grapefruit and quince paste melon characters. Traces of white peach and a fresh sea spray contribute to the dry slightly savoury finish.
97/100
2021 CHERUBINO OVALE 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. I’d like to be drinking this over the next five years.
96/100
2022 CHERUBINO OVALE DIJON CHARDONNAY
The delicacy and fineness of this Dijon clone is immediately evident as is the slightly savoury element that distinguishes it from the Gingin clone so dominant in WA. Comes from down at Karridale so it picks up on that cooler climate significance. Having said all that it is a wine displaying a rich palate with a subtle jasmine, honeysuckle and lemon curd richness. Outstanding wine.
96/100
2022 CHERUBINO OVALE GINGIN CHARDONNAY
What a stunning chardonnay from Margs. Opens with a slightly charry edge to the ripe limestone stone fruit characters on the nose. The palate is delicately poised but with a deep intensity. Lemony grapefruit and quince paste emerge from the palate with a fine charry oak and fine acidity to promote a very long finish. Finishes with a crunchy seashell minerality.
96/100
2022 CHERUBINO PEMBERTON CHARDONNAY
A stunner from Cherubino capturing the essence of Pemberton. It comes from the excellent Channybearup vineyard. On the nose you get a flinty, grapefruit and honeysuckle nuance with deeper grapefruit and nectarine influences. The palate delivers with a degree of delicacy yet there is power here…real power that takes it through to a super long finish. That slightly savoury finish completes an outstanding wine.
98/100
Runner up - White Wine of the Year
2022 CHERUBINO FRANKLAND RIVER RIESLING
A pure and pristine expression of Frankland River riesling. The aromas of intense lemon zest with an edge of lime are distinctly riesling. The palate is intense with a crunchy lively minerality displaying a degree of classic riesling tension. Slightly powdery bath salts add a further dimension to an already crowded palate.
95/100
2022 CHERUBINO PEMBERTON SAUVIGNON BLANC
A beautiful savvy from the Channybearup vineyard in Pemberton. Made in the fume style which means natural fermentation with maturation in oak for four months. There’s a nutty fruit-driven aroma with a decent splash of citrus. The palate is generous and intense with a degree of complexity you expect from this fume style.
94/100
