Cherubino Ad Hoc ‘Avant Gardening’ Cabernet Malbec 2021

Awards and Reviews

92 Points Ray Jordan
“This is such a pretty wine. The cooler vintage has contributed to its elegance and charm. Opens with a perfumed African violet and red berry combination on the nose. And then the palate provides such an exquisitely integrated, balanced mix of bright and lively red fruits with the support of fine, silky tannins and perfectly weighted oak.”

Tasting Notes

• Appearance: Deep, dark red with a youthful crimson hue.
• Aromatics: African violets, red berries, blackcurrant and plum are joined by graphite, cedar, dried herbs and subtle earthy complexity.
• Palate: Bright and medium-bodied, with lively red fruits, cassis, ripe plum and mulberry flowing across the palate.
• Savoury character: Graphite, tobacco, earthy spice and restrained cedar provide complexity beneath the fruit.
• Structure: Fine, silky tannins and fresh acidity give the wine shape without making it feel heavy or overly firm.
• Finish: Long and balanced, with lingering cassis, red berries, violet perfume, mineral notes and subtle French oak.

Wine Details

• Vintage: 2021
• Varieties: Cabernet Sauvignon and Malbec
• Region: Frankland River, Great Southern, Western Australia
• Vineyard: Riversdale Vineyard
• Vineyard established: 1997
• Aspect: North-facing
• Soil: Deep gravel over clay
• Harvest: April 2021
• Fermentation: Static stainless-steel fermenters
• Maceration: Three weeks on skins with gentle extraction
• Oak: New and one-to-two-year-old French oak barrels
• Maturation: Approximately 10 months
• Bottled: August 2022
• Alcohol: 14.5%
• Closure: Screwcap
• Serving temperature: Approximately 16°C
• Cellaring: Enjoy now or cellar through approximately 2030

The Cool 2021 Vintage

The 2021 growing season was one of Western Australia’s coolest recent vintages, creating wines with freshness, perfume and elegance rather than excessive ripeness.

Rain arrived at beneficial times during the growing season, while the cooler conditions allowed the grapes to ripen more gradually. Cabernet Sauvignon and Malbec retained lively red-fruit flavours, floral aromatics and natural acidity while still developing excellent colour and tannin.

For this wine, the vintage is evident in its African violet perfume, bright red berries and finely controlled structure. It still offers plenty of fruit intensity, but the overall impression is elegant, fresh and beautifully balanced.

This freshness also makes it particularly enjoyable during the warmer months, especially when served slightly cooler than a traditional full-bodied red.

What Does Malbec Add to Cabernet Sauvignon?

Cabernet Sauvignon provides the wine’s backbone, bringing cassis, red berries, graphite, minerality and fine tannin structure.

Malbec adds violet perfume, deeper colour, plum fruit and softness through the middle of the palate. It makes the Cabernet feel more generous and immediately approachable without removing its structure.

In simple terms, Cabernet provides the shape and length, while Malbec adds fragrance and flesh.

The combination is especially successful in a cool vintage such as 2021, where both varieties retain brightness and perfume rather than becoming excessively ripe.

Winemaking

The Cabernet Sauvignon and Malbec were handpicked from the Riversdale Vineyard in April 2021.

After arriving at the winery, the grapes were carefully sorted before being crushed into static stainless-steel fermenters. Fermentation and maceration took place over approximately three weeks.

The extraction was deliberately gentle. This allowed colour, fruit and flavour to be drawn from the skins while helping the tannins become fine and supple rather than coarse.

The individual components were then matured in a combination of new and one-to-two-year-old French oak barrels before blending. The wine was bottled in August 2022.

This careful approach preserved the wine’s violet perfume and lively fruit while adding subtle cedar, spice and structural complexity.

Why Serve This Red at 16°C?

Many Australian homes sit at approximately 22 to 24°C, which is considerably warmer than the ideal serving temperature for most red wines.

At that temperature, alcohol can become more noticeable and the fruit may feel softer and heavier. Serving this wine at approximately 16°C keeps its red berries, violet perfume, freshness and fine tannins clearly defined.

If the bottle has been stored at room temperature, place it in the refrigerator for approximately 30 to 45 minutes before serving.

It should feel cool and refreshing rather than cold. Avoid serving it directly from a cold refrigerator, as very low temperatures can hide the perfume and make the tannins seem firmer.

Food Pairing 

• Grilled lamb cutlets: Cabernet’s structure works with the lamb, while Malbec’s plum fruit complements the meat’s richness.
• Roast beef: Particularly good with roasted vegetables, herbs and a light red-wine jus.
• Gourmet burgers: The wine has enough fruit and tannin for beef without overwhelming more casual food.
• Mushroom ragu: Earthy mushrooms complement its graphite, cedar and savoury spice characters.
• Barbecued chicken: Its medium body and fresh red fruit make it suitable for lighter meats, especially when served at 16°C.
• Charcuterie: Try it with salami, prosciutto, pâté and semi-hard cheeses during the warmer months.
• Hard cheese: Mature cheddar, Gouda or Manchego will suit its dark fruit and fine tannins.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is this a Cabernet Sauvignon or a Malbec?

It is a blend of Cabernet Sauvignon and Malbec.

Cabernet Sauvignon provides most of the wine’s structure, cassis and graphite character, while Malbec contributes violet perfume, plum fruit and softness.

Is this a full-bodied red?

It is better described as medium-bodied.

The wine has plenty of flavour and colour, but the cool vintage, fresh acidity and fine tannins keep it elegant rather than heavy.

Is this a chilled red wine?

It is not made as a conventional chilled red, but it is particularly enjoyable served slightly cooler than room temperature.

A temperature of approximately 16°C will highlight its perfume and fresh fruit without muting its flavour or making its tannins feel hard.

Why was the 2021 vintage important?

The cooler growing season allowed the grapes to ripen gradually while retaining natural freshness, bright fruit and floral aromatics.

This created a wine with elegance and charm rather than excessive ripeness or weight.

What does graphite mean in a tasting note?

Graphite describes a dry, mineral and slightly pencil-like aroma commonly associated with Cabernet Sauvignon.

It does not mean anything has been added to the wine. It is simply a way of describing one of its savoury aromatic characteristics.

What does three weeks of maceration mean?

Maceration is the period during which the fermenting juice remains in contact with the grape skins.

The skins contribute colour, flavour and tannin. Gentle management over three weeks allowed the winemaker to build complexity while keeping the finished tannins fine and supple.

Should I decant it?

Decanting for approximately 30 minutes is recommended but not essential.

A short decant will help the violet perfume, red berries, cassis and savoury details become more expressive.

How long can I cellar it?

The wine is drinking beautifully now and should continue developing through approximately 2030 under suitable storage conditions.

Keep bottles somewhere dark and temperature stable, ideally between 12 and 16°C.

 
 
 
 
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