2022 Castle Rock Estate ‘A&W’ Pinot Noir

Gold Medal & Top 50, 2023 Pinot Noir Challenge

97 Points, “All estate fruit. Sourced primarily from the oldest plantings thanks to Angelo and Wendy from 1986. 32% of the total is made up of whole bunches. Matured in French oak on medium lees for 10 months in 23% new oak. A granitic crushed rock is the first and final aroma of this wine. Bay leaf, crushed dried gum leaf and thyme follow with white strawberry, rhubarb and gala apple. There is a hint of reduction that comes across in white coal ash and powdered pepper with a filigree of fine tannin and acidity interplay. As with the rest of the Pinot Noirs in the range the wines graduate with finesse and detail. Less is more as winemaking goes. This is truly pinpoint precision artisan quality. Drink now although will cellar upwards of 8 years. Drink with glistening slivers of wagyu.” Winepilot, Shanteh Wale

97 Points “A wine of structure and poise. This is a serious Pinot Noir demonstrating the power and finesse that you get in great Pinots. A&W has been a project for over 20 years with the vines now between 8 and 37 years of age. There is a slightly sappy stewed plum and sour cherry character that expresses the complexity of this variety. The palate is firm and held with a tight fine tannin and beautifully applied oak, which is a mix of new and seasoned French, of which 24% was new. Super impressive.” Winepilot, Ray Jordan

The complex red berry/herbal nose is vibrant, and the palate delivers great depth of fruit with balanced firmness. Cellar. ★★★★☆ Winewise Magazine, Oct 2023

95 Points, “The prestige release in the Castle Rock Pinot trio, this shows how the grape has gone from curiosity to contender in the West. Indeed, this is the pick of the best set of Pinots I have seen released from WA. The aim here was to showcase CR’s best Pinot from their oldest block, planted in 1986. 32% whole bunch contribution, the wine is matured in French oak, 23% new, with the final blend a barrel selection. Deep red, this is a sleek, refined, seductive and exceptional Pinot. Notes of tobacco leaves, warm earth, dark cherries, new leather and root vegetables which all comes together in a rather luxurious package. There is fine acidity, silky tannins and yet firm grip, good length and serious persistence so it will drink beautifully over the next decade.” Winepilot, Ken Gargett

9.5/10 Points, “What’s five bucks extra when you’re spending 50 on wine? Well, quite a bit but it comes down to personal tastes. Unfortunately mine align with the makers, so I have to pay more. That’s how it works. $5 worth of extra body.” Max Crus, Wine Commentator

94 Points “Deep, dark red with a rim of purple; attractive but reserved aromas are in a darker, earthier fruit spectrum, rich black cherry uppermost, with a balanced lacing of oak. The wine is fuill in the mouth and ample, rounded and savoury with drying tannins that linger at the finish. This is a pinot that will reward a little cellaring and has the concentration and structure to reward keeping.” Huon Hooke, The Real Review

93 Points “Radically deeper in colour than its Diletti sibling, indeed almost all pinots. Its glossy cherry and plum fruit will underwrite its future, albeit with a very warm personality.” James Halliday, Oct 2023

94 Points “Don’t overlook the Great Southern region of Western Australia if you love your Pinot Noir – there are some gems to be uncovered. I was super impressed by the Castle Rock Estate Diletti and this A&W will be sure to sweep you off your feet too. From the original 1986 plantings, the best barrels were selected after they saw ten months in French oak (23% new, 32% whole bunch). Darker in appearance than the Diletti, there is a little more heft here as well. That dense presence slowly pushes through the mouth yet it is a wine that possesses all those Pinot things that glisten. In some respects, it reminds me of those meaty Central Otago Pinots. Think earth, twiggy things, a little game, blackcurrants and dark plum fruit. There’s a gravitas with a dark and dried cherry drive. Superfine spices cruise about with a savoury edge before slippery tannins slide in. The tension that tugs at the edges points to a solid future ahead. It’s an excellent wine.” Qwine, Steve Leszczynski.

★★★★★✩ “Porongurup and Pemberton are less well known Western Australian wine areas but, as today’s duo prove, they make fine cool-climate drops. FromGreat Southern’s Porongurup sub-region, this 13.5% alcohol, ruby-hued red shows vibrant raspberry front-palate flavour. The middle palate has cherry, bramble jelly, spice and mocha oak and a finish of berry fruit and dusty tannins. Ideal for coq au vine and cellar eight years.” Newcastle Herald, John Lewis

★★★★☆ “The complex red berry nose is enhanced by touches of stem and toasty oak. Excellent depth of fruit is the main feature of a silky, fine, firm palate.” Winewise Magazine, July 2023

93 Points, “This wine took a while to come around but it certainly delivered with brooding dark cherry, rhubarb, and potting soil aromas lifted by a classy backbone of French oak. Compact and focussed, tightly wound flavours are wrapped in surprising yet balanced tannins with gentle stemmy complexity over a long but closed finish. Excellent, but needs plenty of time.” Winepilot, Angus Hughson

92 Points “Lipstick, red fruit, vanillan oak, some delicious raspberry watermelon Pinot character. Super polished and classy…” Australian Wine & Drinks Review, Andrew Graham