WA is home to some of the best wines in the world, with the Margaret River region in Australia’s South West a popular destination for wine touring. However, when it comes to selecting wines, we typically stick to what we know, and in Perth, that’s usually Chardonnay for whites and Cabernet Sauvignon for reds.
On The Vine is a new series where we’re shining a spotlight on some of the other fabulous wines that we’re growing here in the state. First up, we’re going to talk about a wine from one of the best-known wineries around — Cherubino.
A little about the wine
When talking about wine, Cherubino is a name that rarely needs an introduction. You’ve likely tasted Cherubino’s wine at some point, either while visiting the winery and cellar door in Margaret River or at Cherubino City Cellar — the tres chic wine bar in Subiaco. Regardless of where you’ve tasted their wine, one thing you’ll always hear is how good it is.
The Cherubino wine range is quite extensive, catering to a wide range of palettes and tastes. One of our favourite ranges under the Cherubino brand is Laissez Faire. For this range, they adopt a minimum intervention approach to winemaking and the end result speaks for itself.
In this ‘On The Vine,’ we’re taking a look at the 2021 Laissez Faire ‘IV’: Counoise, Mataro, Shiraz, Grenache.
The first thing you’re likely thinking is “I’ve never heard of that type of wine before.” In WA, we’re so spoilt with the best cabernet sauvignon in the world that we often don’t try many other reds. And while understandable, it means we’re missing out on a heap of other wines that are likely going to become your new favourites, like the Laissez Faire ‘IV’.
The Laissez Faire ‘IV’: Counoise, Mataro, Shiraz, Grenache is a vegan wine grown in the Great Southern region of WA — one of the country’s best wine regions — and is described as a rich yet elegant wine.
Accolades and Awards
It has also won a heap of awards and accolades over the last couple of years. A few of these are:
- 2022 Melbourne Wine Show – Gold Medal
- 2023 Wine Show of Western Australia – Gold Medal
- Ray Jordan Website 2024 – 95 points
- 2023 Perth Royal Wine Awards – Silver Medal
- jancisrobinson.com November 2023 – 17/20
- Robert Parker Wine Advocate, Erin Larkin – 92 points
- 2022 Top 100 Reds, Ray Jordan – 92 points
- Paul Edwards, The West Australian – 92 points
- James Suckling – 92 points
- 2022 Wine Show of WA – Silver Medal
Fun facts
Everyone loves a fun fact that they can bring up at the dinner table or while sitting back, watching the sunset while enjoying a glass of wine. The main grape that makes up this wine (44%) is one that is relatively unknown here in WA — the Counoise grape — and is from the Rhône Valley in France. It’s rarely used as a single varietal so you’ll almost always see it in a blend, much like this Laissez Faire wine.
Get it ready to drink
How you prepare a wine to drink can be quite important when it comes to bringing out its full and best flavour. You’ll want to serve this one at room temperature and if you have a decanter, it’ll benefit from being poured into one before serving, which helps to aerate and open it up. Plus it makes you look fancy and sophisticated!
If you don’t have a decanter, no need to race out and buy one just yet. Simply open the bottle a couple of hours before you want to drink it (if possible) and leave it to breathe.
Glassware
Believe it or not, the glassware you use when drinking wine can also make a difference in what it tastes like. For this wine, you want something quite bulbous with a narrower opening to maximise the aromas. Our favourites are the Plumm wine glasses — this is the glass in that range that you’ll want to go with. Otherwise, something similar will be perfect.
Food pairing
Have you ever noticed how wine can taste better with certain foods? Pairing the right food with the right wine can make a world of difference to the flavour and your enjoyment of both.
This particular wine goes really well with rich flavours. Given we’re in the middle of a beautiful Perth spring, I’m going to suggest opening a bottle next time you’re preparing a platter of cheese and cured meats, or cooking up a Thai beef stir fry. You can’t go wrong with either option!
Where can you purchase it from?
The best place to get Laissez Faire ‘IV’ is directly from Cherubino. Drop by Cherubino City Cellar in Subiaco, enjoy a glass of wine and some share plates, and go home with a few bottles of this wine to enjoy at home.
You can also purchase it online from their online store or use it as an excuse to head away for a weekend away in Margaret River, dropping by their Cellar Door and making an experience of it.
