2019 Castle Rock Estate ‘Diletti’ Chardonnay

$28.90

A complex Chardonnay, barrel fermented in French oak. Complexity was enhanced by natural ferment, some juice solids during fermentation and maturation on yeast lees.

Out of stock

Tasting Notes

A cool climate and complex Chardonnay, which has been barrel fermented in French oak, 20% of which was new. Complexity was enhanced by natural ferment, some juice solids during fermentation and leaving the wine on yeast lees in barrel for 10 months.

Colour: Straw coloured.

Bouquet: An extremely complex and layered chardonnay, exhibiting cool climate fruit characters of citrus, and nectarine. The French oak is harmoniously integrated into the mealy and struck match complex characters.

Palate: This wine is fresh and vibrant with great complexity and richness. The citrus and nectarine fruits flow into textured and layered mid palate, of crème brulee and mealy notes. The French oak is subtle in the background; the palate is held beautifully together and structured by seamless natural acidity. The complex flavours linger thanks to a long, fine, citrus finish.

Food Accompaniment: Enjoy with a wide range of pasta and white meat dishes.

Cellaring Potential: Will continue to improve and develop complexity with age; cellar for 5 to 8 years.

PREVIOUS VINTAGE:
GOLD 95 Points, Wine Show of WA 2020
95 points – paulippolito.com
94 Points – Wine Companion, Erin Larkin
94 points – The Wine Reviewer, Patrick Eckel
93 points – The Real Review, Toni Paterson MW
93 points – QWine
93 points – The Vinsomniac
92+ points – The Winefront
92 points – Oz Wine Review
9.2/10 points – The Daily Examiner
Jeremy Oliver Good Wine Guide, Best Buys in 2019 ‘The Affordable Classics’
Silver – Wine Show of Western Australia 2018

94 Points “Varietal character in spades. It might weigh in at relatively low alcohol but grilled peach, custard powder and sweet cedar wood flavours put on a thoroughly convincing, not to mention flavoursome, display. Beautiful mouthfeel.” 2021 Wine Companion, Campbell Mattinson

“…Beautifully balanced, this has an appreciatively long finish too as it seems to rise to a dizzy height and move at that same plateau for a considerable time. The satisfaction factor is high for this wine. No question.” Words from a Wineglass, May 2019

95 Points “…The Chardonnay is from the cool climate Porongurup Ranges in the Great Southern region of Western Australia and it is quite deservedly the winery’s flagship Chardonnay. A light pale yellow youthfulness in colour, the aromas are classic citrus dominated, fresh and lush and vibrant. Lemons, apples and oranges shine through. The nose is lifted, quite pronounced, not overly sharp but does its job well in announcing the positive fruit in the glass. The palate however is softer and smooth. The acidity as implied is not sharp but actually quite soft and rounded resulting in the marriage of the fruit and oak being well integrated and producing a long smooth finish with plenty of citrus and some lovely honey melon. Superb.” paulippolito.com.

93 points “A beautifully aromatic and expressive aroma of scented lemon, gentle cream and hints of oatmeal. The palate is powerful with weighty lemon fruit and gentle savouriness from oak. I enjoy its freshness and texture. It is a classy wine and a complete bargain at this price.” The Real Review, Toni Paterson MW

93 Points “Dripping with pristine fruit, white nectarines and grapefruit run a calm and neat course through the mouth. Delicate scents of lemon juice, dried pear and flint hook you in before you take a sip to find a fine minerality caressing the mouth. There’s a soft yet persistent citrus drive through the mouth finishing with mealy notes and cream. A beautiful and well-balanced Chardonnay.” QWine May 2019

93 Points “…Delicate citrus here, more about the primacy of fruit and not so much of the barrel fermentation evident on the aromatics. It’s clean and crisp, carrying an acidic punch along its spine. It’s not without width, the barrel fermentation adding its mark here. Pristine length, focal purity on this.” The Vinsomniac Jul 2019

92+ Points “Castle Rock’s rieslings get all the attention. Meanwhile. It’s not a flashy chardonnay but if you’re looking for one that will mature well: look no further. This is taut and well structured with long lines of nectarine-based flavour and beautifully integrated acidity. Come back into another couple of years.” The Winefront, Campbell Mattinson, Aug 2019

“…it shows all the delicacy and finesse that come from a cool, almost marginal climate…” PS News, John Rozentals, May 2019

“…Wow what a ripper… complex palate with great structure, texture and refreshing acidity… A real Classic!” Wine Assist, Dan Traucki, May 2019

94 Points “…The nose gives underripe fig and white peach with flashes of flint and oak; The palate enjoys a fine frame with citrus and new season stone fruits. There is a grapefruit like texture to finish that gives generous mouth feel and a base from which oak derived spice and nectarine lingers.” The Wine Review, Patrick Eckel, May 2019

92 Points “… Class…” Oz Wine Review, Sep 2019

“It has a complex bouquet of cool climate fruit, citrus, and nectarine. The palate is fresh with citrus and nectarine fruits leading to crème brulée with subtle French oak in the background and natural acidity. The flavours linger with a long, fine finish.” Have a go News, Frank Smith, Sept 2019

Harvest Date: 11 March 2019
Bottling Date: 12 February 2020
Alc: 12%
pH: 3.35
T.A.: 6.6 g/L
Residual sugar: 0 g/L
Vegan friendly
Minimal sulphites used

Here’s a few older vintage tasting notes for those that have some of our wines in their cellars. These notes were written upon release of each of these wines.

2019 Castle Rock Estate ‘Diletti’ Chardonnay

2018 Castle Rock Estate ‘Diletti’ Chardonnay
94 Points, Wine Companion

2017 Castle Rock Estate Diletti Chardonnay
94 Points, Wine Companion

2016 Castle Rock Estate ‘Diletti’ Chardonnay
95 Points, Wine Companion

2015 Castle Rock Estate ‘Diletti’ Chardonnay
95 Points, The Real Review, Huon Hooke

2014 Castle Rock Estate ‘Diletti’ Chardonnay
95 Points, The Real Review, Huon Hooke