2023 Castle Rock Estate ‘A&W’ Pinot Noir

98 Points “The source of this exceptional wine are the oldest vines on the estate, planted by Angelo and Wendy Diletti in 1986. It is as good as any Pinot yet made from this super vineyard. Seamless structure and silky smooth with a velvety mouthfeel. The aromas of strawberry and plum merge with a slightly spicy earthy mushroom-like nuance. Effortlessly long with structure and poise. A marvellous statement of a great vineyard created by the deft hands of Rob Diletti.” Winepilot, Ray Jordan

96 Points “Estate fruit from their 1986 plantings matured in French oak for 10 months of which 18% was new. 27% whole bunches were used. The pigment is decidedly dark here with notes of rose bud, rosella and boysenberries. Mulberry with stems attached, prune plums and blood orange juice. Sage leaf, wet earth and granite rock. Tannins are silky but have excellent staying power coating the roof of the mouth. There is clove and allspice, star anise and dark chocolate. It’s drinking well now but will continue to improve in complexities as it ages. I’d say another 4-6 years, so while this is worth opening tonight, it’s also well worth a case going down into the depth of your cellar. Serve with Char Siu Bao buns for a heavenly pairing.” Winepilot, Shanteh Wale

95 Points, “Medium ruby-garnet hue. Intense and profound with dark berries, plum and fig the fruit base for savoury char, blood orange, earthy roast root veg, sweaty brown spice, dark chocolate, damp undergrowth and crushed kitchen herbs. Such a silken, flowing thing. Effortless, with understated texture from sublime tannins that support a long, long finish punctuated with fine spice and energy. Arguably in the echelon of WA’s best Pinot Noirs.” Vinonotebook, Regan Drew

95 Points “In a word, excellent. This Castle Rock Estate A&W Pinot Noir speaks of the earth it sinks its roots into. Given its generosity, you could be forgiven for thinking it comes from Central Otago. From the oldest vines on the estate planted in 1986, 27% whole bunches were used and it sees French oak for ten months (18% new). What hooks you in is the length. Wow! It’s seductive and never-ending. Dark cherries, freeze dried strawberries, blackcurrants, compost and mushrooms get things on the move. Flirtatious truffle, dried leaves and twigs add savoury nuances. Wonderfully autumnal, earthy and woodsy spices flank dark cherry fruit that seemingly draws concentric circles around the mouth. What a peach! Superb Pinot this. Drink to eight years+” QWINE Reviews

95 Points “This medal-worthy Pinot Noir from Rob Diletti and team encapsulates all the attributes and classic varietal expressions expected of its terroir and provenance. Despite its youth, it already shows balance, integration and seamless smoothness. The heady twirling of aromas and flavours morph through an undefinably complex range from blackcurrant, dried herbs, wafts of tobacco and hints of mint amongst others. The finish is long, silky, grippy and satisfying. It is a top-echelon Pinot Noir, eminently enjoyable now (as we did with a classic pairing with roast duck) but also well worth cellaring for a few years.” Winelines, Gilbert Labour

9.5/10 Points, Northern River Times, Max Crus

94 Points “The Castle Rock Pinot Noir wines just get better and better (and better). Hat tip to Rob Diletti and family. This A & W Pinot (the old vine flagship) is the best of the 2023 Castle Rock Pinot wines too, and it’s a masterfully juicy wine. There’s this deep plum purple fruit profile here, which doesn’t feel like an Australian Pinot at all – it could be Burgenland Zweigelt or a Central Otago Pinot. Not heavy, but mouthfilling. Savoury, light, pithy tannins are just right, too. An ocean away from red fruit Burgundy, but rather impressive because of it. Just a little light on through the finish, but again, that fruit profile is absolutely delicious.” OzWineReview, Andrew Graham

92 Points, No.1 2023 Pinot Noir from WA “Pretty aromatics, all red fruit, dried flowers, sap, bramble, earth and a lick of menthol. Bright, fleshy, punchy and crunchy on the palate, with plenty of cherry, raspberry and spice action. The tannins deliver shape and length and the acidity has brightness and snap.” The Real Review, Aaron Brasher

4.5 Stars, “The powerful dark cherry nose shows some whole-bunch complexity, and the palate is long, rich and silky. Cellar slightly longer than the Diletti above.” Winewise Magazine, Aug 2024