2020 Castle Rock Estate ‘Diletti’ Chardonnay

$36.00

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

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Tasting Notes

All estate fruit. Yield 2T/Hectare. Vine age 36 years. Machine harvested, free run juice, light settling and racked to barrel (cloudy juice) – mixture of French Puncheon and Barrique (33% new oak), minimal stirring, left in barrel for 11 months. Creating a full textured Chardonnay with complexity yet balanced to the cool climate fruit of Castle Rock Estate.

Colour: Light Straw coloured.

Bouquet: Extended contact with yeast lees has produced a complex and layered bouquet of oatmeal and biscuit with an undercurrent of white nectarine fruit character. Subtle flint and oak toast add an additional foil to the enticing nose.

Palate: This wine is supple and well weighted. The stone fruit and mealy texture framed by French oak cedar and toast notes create an elegant richness to the mid-palate. Balanced by a seamless line of cool climate acid structure, providing length and drive. The complex flavours linger thanks to a long, fine, 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.

95 Points, “Cloudy juice, wild fermented in French oak (20% new); part leat on yeast lees after fermentation. Grapefruit zest and pith on the one hand, creamy cashew on the other. The complex inputs coalesce to form a long, poised palate; will mature gracefully.” James Halliday, The Australian newspaper, July 2022

91 Points “Chardonnay for chardonnay lovers. Peach and grapefruit flavours team with pear, steel and cedarwood oak. There are butter notes too, toast notes ushered along with them. Intensity of fruit is good-to-very-good and it generally feels neat and well composed.” Campbell Mattinson, The Winefront, Jun 2022

Harvest: 15 February 2020
Bottled: 10 February 2021
Alc: 12.0%
pH: 3.19
T.A.: 6.6g/L
R.S.: 0.0g/L
Vegan friendly
Minimal sulphites used

Here’s the current tasting note, along with 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.

2020 Castle Rock Estate ‘Diletti’ Chardonnay

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