2023 Castle Rock Estate Pinot Noir

Gold Medal, Sydney Royal Wine Show 2024

95 Points “Pristine, detailed and arguably the best value pinot in the country. The essence of this wine is balance, textural lightness and purity of fruit. Black cherry, raspberry and the merest whiff of petrichor. Everything sits neatly in place — acidity is refreshing and a little juicy and the tannins are fine and resolved. Flavours linger for minutes. Winemaking does include small parcels of whole bunches and ageing in old oak, but it seems unnecessary to dwell on those features as everything is so well integrated and crafted to express the natural bounty of the vineyards. Simply beautiful.” The Weekend West, Paul Edwards

95 Points “A vivid, fine-boned and tightly wound pinot noir of exceptional length and persistence with vibrant, effusive perfume. Red cherry at the tarter end of the spectrum with twiggy wood notes, some faint eucalyptus, white pepper, mezcal spiciness and a sense of freshness overall. Tannins are lacy, ultra-fine and tighten the wine well. It’s delicate, almost blink and you’ll miss, but the filigree is all here.” Wine Companion, Mike Bennie, Aug 2024

94 Points “Opens with an exotic aroma of vibrant strawberry with slightly savoury nuances, it’s an engaging perfumed bouquet. The palate captures the season beautifully with a mix of sweet supple fruit with a dry savoury nuance supported by fine chalky tannins. It delivers a real burst of fruit intensity with the combination of 25% new oak and 16% whole bunch adding to its structure and mid-palate power.” Winepilot, Ray Jordan

94 Points “Damn, this is a great drink. It’s a shining beacon for how fabulously approachable and delicious Great Southern Pinot Noir can be. Pour this large. Machine harvested with a portion seeing whole bunch fermentation (15%) and another portion seeing barrel fermentation then spending ten months in mix of new and used French oak (25% new). Dark cherries and strawberries light up the stage with an evocative presence. It’s juicy yet there is some generosity for the curious. Tilled earth, char, a smidge of black tea, twigs and a little pine needle add detail. A fabulous length keeps you captivated and seeking more. I could have glass after glass. Big love! Drink to five years+” Qwine Reviews

93 Points “Castle Rock and Rob Diletti may have established a stellar record for their wonderful Rieslings but it would be a mistake to ignore their Pinots. They rank at the very pinnacle of West Aussie Pinot Noir. The vines providing the fruit for this vintage are between eight and thirty seven years of age. A seven day cold soak, barrel fermentation and maturation for ten months in a combination of new and older French oak barriques and puncheons, a quarter of the oak new and 15% of the grapes whole bunches. Cherry red in colour, this exhibits an attractive, youthful and quite sappy nose. Notes of undergrowth, warm earth, fresh beetroot, red fruits and bay leaves. A fine line of vibrant acidity, there is grip here, and serious length. The wine retains intensity for its entire length, finishing with sleek tannins. Still very young, it will provide pleasure for the next five to six years.” Winepilot, Ken Gargett

92 Points “Bright ruby colour. Neatly varietal with dark cherry, strawberry and pâté meaty influence. Plenty of warm brown spices, root veg and crushed undergrowth giving comfort. Perky medium bodied flow, yet carrying a dark profile with some bound intensity. Herbed cherries and strawberries lead to a tight drying mesh of fine tannins with youthful gunflint at the close. Could even perhaps handle a year or two in the cellar.” Vinonotebook, Regan Drew

91 Points “This stongly varietal 2023 Pinot Noir offers exceptional value for money with its waves of forest floor, beetroot and spicy tones that are pretty fruit-forward but still pack a real kick. Stalky and drying with a sappy bite, impressive and intent will build in the bottle over the medium. Drinking window: 2024-2030” Vinous.com, Angus Hughson, May 2024

“… This is from the Porongurup sub-region and is a bit of a charmer. The bouquet sets everything off on the right foot … strawberry and red fruits, charry barbecue, pippy dark fruit and foresty undergrowth … there’s a lot happening, and all of it is good. It stays that way, too. On the tongue it’s dark and red cherries, silky but not shy, sweet but with amost appealing stalky, savoury edge – bay leaf perhaps. The flavours are bright, engaging and long. Surprisingly long in fact. Any time in the next five years will be fine for this wine. I’m a fan.” Canberra Times, Rick Allen

“…Rob Diletti is producing an impressive range to challenge the best from more favoured areas like Tasmania and the Yarra Valley. Give this a few minutes after opening the bottle and it blossoms into a fragrant beauty that deftly combines fresh red berry characters and savoury hints. Perfect for pairing with duck, mushroom, or chicken dishes. Made from low-yielding 30-year-old vines that are hitting the heights.” Ciao Magazine, Winsor Dobbin

90 Points “Lifted and fragrant aromas of dried flowers, cherry, cooked strawberry, damp earth, spice and sap. Fleshy, full-flavoured and crunchy. Full of snappy red fruits, nutty oak and a brambly wildness. Firm and dry on the finish.” The Real Review

Highly Recommended “Perfumed new oak with lifted red cherries as well as floral, dried herbs, smoke and a hint sappy. Overall a nicely complexed nose. Palate is fine and dry with powdery tannins, cherry ripe, yet savoury, flavours. Light bodied delicious pinot with a long satisfying finish. Good stuff achieved with only 12.5% alcohol.” Australian Wine Guide, Clive Hartley