Cabernet Sauvignon “Cherubino” Frankland River 2015 – Larry Cherubino

The Cabernet Sauvignon Cherubino Frankland River Larry Cherubino fruit was hand-harvested and transported to the winery where it was cooled overnight and carefully manually sorted. Afterwards Cabernet Sauvignon Cherubino Frankland River Larry Cherubino undergoes a maceration at temperatures ranging from 12 to 27°C and lasted for six weeks, with minimal pump overs. The wine was pressed to tank and allowed to settle for seven days prior to oak maturation. A range of coopers were used in this wine’s development to impart complexity to the wine.

The grapes were grown in the Riversdale Vineyard in Frankland River in Western Australia. The vines were planted between 1996 and 1998 at a density of 1,650 vines per hectare. The vines are Houghton clones and are planted on their own rootstocks with a southerly aspect. Frankland River soils are chiefly iron rich lateric gravelly or sandy loams derived from granite or gneissic rocks and are typically red in colour with a uniform depth. Some areas carry loams derived from the native Marri and Karri eucalyptus forests. The river valley is a major influence and responsible for cool airflow. The average growing temperatures are very mild and the warm days are moderated by the ‘Albany Doctor’ – a sea breeze from the Southern Ocean.

Named ‘Winery of the Year’ by James Halliday and Matt Skinner, Larry Cherubino wants his wines to be distinctive and to speak clearly of their variety and vineyard site. He believes in paying meticulous attention to the vineyard, canopy and water management, picking at the right time and minimal intervention in the winery. Larry also makes wine under the Laissez Faire label, an exquisite range of natural wines which are the ultimate expression of site, made in small batches from hand harvested grapes. From delicate whites to opulent reds, all his wines have pure class and finesse.