2020 Castle Rock Estate Shiraz

PREVIOUS VINTAGE

96 Points “Grapes are from Mount Barker; open-fermented in 2-tonne vats, hand-plunged 2-3 times daily; on skins 9 days, matured in French barriques for 15 months. April 28 harvest; vibrantly fresh and elegant array of red, blue and black fruits resting on a bed of fine tannins.” James Halliday, The Australian

95 Points “Matured for 15 months in French oak (33% new). Aromas of cool-climate shiraz fruit on show, paraded across the top of the wine in a procession of blackcurrant pastille, blue fruits, anise, fennel flower and graphite. In the mouth the wine is precisely as expected: detailed, super-pretty, elegant, chalky and supple. The endlessly attractive mineral tannins are a highlight. What a gloriously fine wine for the price.” Wine Companion 2023, Erin Larkin

95 Points, Gold Ribbon, “This remote viticultural region produces some of the finest wines in the country and shiraz from here is no exception. There is a fragrance and mid-weighted nature to the wines from this region that project a real freshness and vitality. This is a lovely vibrant and youthful purple in the glass. Lifted aromatics of blue fruits, spice, cracked pepper, brambles and bouquet garni. The palate is mid-weight, pretty and lively. There are lashings of blue-fruited goodness, the tannin is firm and shapes the wine nicely and the acidity has a defining crunch. A lovely wine. Great value.” The Real Review, Aaron Brasher

95 Points “Colour of purples and dark reds. Spices, black cherries, dried herbs, leather, before it moves to notes of mocha, coffee beans and chocolate. This is seamless and exhibiting some real elegance and balance, and shows why this region is so highly regarded for this variety. Silky tannins and a lingering finish. A wine which has years ahead of it. This is a cracker.” Ken Gargett, Winepilot

95 Points “Rob Diletti is a winemaker with a Midas touch – as evidenced by this seriously delicious coolish-climate shiraz that offers superb value for money. Castle Rock Estate is nestled on the eastern slopes of the Porongurup Mountain in the Great Southern of of Western Australia and is named after a prominent nearby granite landmark. This is dark in colour with a beguiling melange of dark fruit, savoury and mocha/chocolate notes. Very elegant with a soft, seductive finish, this is one worth seeking out. Went brilliantly with shepherd’s pie.” Winsor Dobbin

93 Points “Another strong Shiraz release, and this Castle Rock Estate Shiraz 2019 has ‘classic’ written all over it. Moderate, yet glossy, plum fruit prettiness and mint, A real sense of mediumness here, moreish and nicely balanced between minty red fruit and plushness. Who needs more? Proudly cool climate and not trying too hard. Lovely.” Oz Wine Review, Andrew Graham

93 Points “What I like about this is that it has ample pepper and clove-like spice notes, combined with toast, but it’s also rushed with sweet, ripe, berried fruit. It’s savoury but it’s substantial too. Twig, nut and woodsmoke characters then trail out through the finish, fruit teamed throughout. All this and there’s no real sign of alcohol warmth. It’s well made. It’s lovely to drink. And it’s complex.” Campbell Mattinson, The Winefront

93 Points “Deep purply some reddish hues. A youngster still ink staining my glass. Brooding fruit on the nose both sweet and savoury. Nice and balanced fruit, seamlessly imparted. Youthful fresh lively Great Southern region West Australian cool climate fruit. I like it because it appeals to me now and yet tells me there is more yet to come. Plums and more plums, cherries and more cherries, you get it, these are the primary fruit characters here. Good ones, that draw you in and taste delicious. Imparted with the spiciness you would expect and classic regional coolness, think white pepper and hints of mint it drinks elegantly. The French oak is there, refined and imparting ultrafine tannins. All the winemaking is in check. Highly drinkable, yes I polished a few glasses off with dinner with this excellent quality red. Try with grilled rib eye steak, sweet corn and crushed potatoes. Drink to 2029. 93/100 – Excellent.” Paul Ippolito, www.paulippolito.com, July 2021

92 Points “Always great. Always delicious. A wine hard to beat for consistency. Get around this Shiraz from Castle Rock Estate. Medium-bodied, it skips through the mouth. Earthy and meaty, dark berry fruits mingle with generous savoury goodness. Some char, meaty spices and sheets of white pepper synonymous with cool climate Shiraz glide through. It finishes long and calls you back time and again. Great stuff.” QWine, June 2021

“Again, a lovely colour. Youthful would be the best way to describe it because it is, simple as that. Same with the aromas and palate actually. It’s just so fruity and delicately spicy with just a hint of oak poking through. Tasting it was just so special! Offering plenty, perfectly rich (if that’s possible) and so moreish. Blackcurrants (a little sweetness from theses guys), blackberries, plums, a little peppery, so very smooth and mouthfilling. I have to say, even though the oak and tannins make themselves known, this is so very nicely ‘together’ and it keeps letting you know on the nice, long finish. Another bullseye!!” Words from a Wineglass, Tony Peters, July 2021

“Bright purple, enticing cooler climate aromas of pepper, spices, dried herbs a a hint of plums, smooth tasty, lively palate with a long lingering tight finish- WILL EVOLVE MAGNIFICENTLY!!” Dan Traucki, Wine Assist

“This 2019 Castle Rock Estate Shiraz, from the Mount Barker sub-region of Great Southern [WA] is well-crafted by winemaker Rob Diletti to reflect its regionality and climatic conditions. Open fermentation, regular gentle plunging, extended skin contact and maturing in French oak barriques, all contribute to deliver a wine of grit, grunt and generosity Deep garnet colour, clear meniscus and long legs presage a complex and savoury palate. Hints of musk, tobacco leaf and leather on the initial nose all morph into a diaspora of typical cool climate varietal descriptors. White pepper, mixed herbs and violets intermingle with a solid framework of black fruit, clear acid and fulsome palate. The finish is long and savoury It is a solid match to hearty protein dishes and will continue to integrate and reward for a few years.” The Grape Hunter, Gilbert Labour, Jun 2021