2022 Castle Rock Estate ‘Diletti’ Pinot Noir
$50.00
96 Points, Winepilot // Really good Pinot Noir comes from low yielding, cool climate vineyards, grown on older vines. These characteristics will create balance, intensity and concentration.
Note: This limited wine will not be discounted in a mixed dozen, although it will contribute to the 12 bottles, enabling the 8% case discount in the other wines in the dozen. 3 bottle limit per customer
Out of stock
Tasting Notes
Colour: Bright, Ruby.
Bouquet: Highly aromatic. Spice and red jubes abundant. The promi-nent whole bunch inclusion is driving the nose.
Palate: A combination of whole bunch fermentation and carbonic mac-eration has created a juicy, red berry/confectionary filled palate bal-anced by moreish savoury spice. The super fine silky tannin structure is providing texture to the midpalate, and in conjunction with a tight acid backbone, is driving a very long finish. Very approachable while young but will reward careful cellaring, 10+ years.
Food Accompaniment: Pair with Woodfired Pizza, Grilled Pork Sausages, Mushroom Toasties.
Cellaring: Up to 10 years +
Winemaking: Handpicked estate Pinot Noir. Whole bunch fermenters were sealed and gassed with CO2 to encourage carbonic maceration and left to cold soak. Ferments were foot stomped post-cold soak and inoculated with cultured yeast to initiate fermentation. 10 months barrel maturation on medium lees. 18% new oak, 73% whole bunch in final blend.
Silver Medal & Top 50, 2023 Pinot Noir Challenge
96 Points, “The Diletti is Castle Rock’s estate Pinot Noir. The use of 73% whole bunch with carbonic maceration is used here. Maturation is for 10 months in 18% new oak. A savoury nose of dried leaf litter, shitake mushroom and terra cotta. Morello cherries unfold with oriental lilies and dried plums. Rosemary stem, sandalwood and hints of Kola nut. The bunch work is prominent in the texture of the wine with a mesh of interlaced tannins and nice wash of acidity. You’d be forgiven if you thought this wine was silky and ethereal but behind its seduction is fastidious detail and plenty of Pinot Noir winemaking know how. A really beautiful drink that will last the distance but is delicious now. Pair with slow cooked pork belly and udon noodles.” Winepilot, Shanteh Wale
95 Points, “This Castle Rock Estate Diletti Pinot Noir is quite the step up from the entry level wine in the range of three. Sleek with polished edges, I found it irresistible. Whole bunch fermented, strawberries and baked strawberry tart moves to a handful of plums. Dark cherry is enticing but that earthy drive captures the mood nicely. A consistent flow rolls through the mouth, and the fruit picks up savoury nuances and fine spices along the way. Twiggy things add further depth to the savoury profile and the earthy drive builds good momentum. This is a great Pinot hands down. Sure there is a little more weight in this Pinot than you may see elsewhere, but that density adds that cuddle factor. I loved it.” QWine, Steve Leszczynski
94 Points, “Next step up the Castle Rock Pinot ranks, this wine is from hand-harvested fruit. Whole bunch fermenters were used (73% of the final wine is from whole bunches), carbonic maceration and cold soaking before ten months in barrels, 18% of which were new. A pale crimson hue here, this wine is immediately more complex and the whole bunch contribution more evident. Notes of truffles, warm earth, brambles, undergrowth, cherries, raspberries, spices and bay leaves. Good complexity here too with very good length with intensity that lingers. Hard not to love that sleek and seductive palate that is finely balanced and will provide pleasure over the next eight years.” Winepilot, Ken Gargett
9.4/10 Points, Max Crus, Wine Commentator
★★★★☆ “There’s a wide stylistic gap between this and the first wine (the 2022 Castle Rock Estate Pinot Noir). Raspberry aromas incorporate notes of stem. The palate is long and tight, balanced by well managed tannins.” Winewise Magazine, July 2023
93 Points, Australian Wine & Drinks Review, Andrew Graham
92 Points “Medium ruby with purple tints; intense stalky and smoky sulfide aromas hand-in-hand with red cherries; the palate ‘cool’ feeling and lean-ish, almost sinewy…” Huon Hooke, The Real Review
92 Points “This ethereal 2022 Pinot Noir shows its whole-bunchy style with wafts of red cherry, star anise, rose petals and red licorice, which add layers in the glass. Great energy and also texture, the silky, poised palate keeps its composure beautifully over a long, well defined finish. Delicious now and will get better.” Winepilot, Angus Hughson
Silver Medal, 2023 Australian Pinot Noir Challenge
Vine Age: 20-35 Years
Yields: 2.2 T/Acre
Harvest Date: 30 March 2022
Bottling Date: 14 February 2023
Alc: 13.0%
pH: 3.58
T.A.: 5.6
Residual sugar: 0 g/L
Vegan friendly
Minimal sulphites used
