2023 Castle Rock Estate Riesling

TROPHY for WINES OF PROVENANCE BEST RED OR WHITE VARIETAL,
2023 Perth Royal Wine Awards.

97 Points “The product of a cool, late vintage – just what the doctor ordered. It’s already filling the bouquet with heady flourishes of limes that move into top gear on a long, layered magic carpet of citrus, all sorts. The back label says ‘Since its inception in 1986 this wine has been the flagship of our rieslings.” James Halliday, Wine Companion, June 2024

Top 25 Wines, 2023 WA Good Food Guide Wine Awards.
“A scintillating expression of riesling that’s juicy, fresh, bright, intense and driving with a huge swish of tangy acidity. It feels linear and pure – a rapier thrust of the variety that delivers strong fruit and mineral character in a very complex and energetic style. Drink with gusto.”

97 Points “A flagship wine for the brand which they have been making since 1986. So it’s no surprise they have absolutely NAILED it once again. It’s almost like what freshly bathed baby skin smells like, pure and immaculate. Apple blossoms, white nectarine and lychee. Greengage plums, lime pith and quartz. Slippery and nimble on the palate the wine is delicate but mighty in its long flavour length and grip. Gorgeous in its reflective tones and elegant style – drink now and will cellar upwards of 8 years. I’d love to see this served with burrata, tomatillos and smoked salt. Drink now and bask in the splendour of superb Porongurup, because it’s SO hot right now.” Winepilot, Shanteh Wale, Nov 2023

96 Points, “I love this wine. Every year it is a star performer, defined by its restraint and finesse. It delivers grace and levity, focus and poise, all wrapped in a talc-y, floral package. Pretty good if you ask me. So, this 2023 Porongurup Riesling is a child of the mild and even 2023 season, and the wine is a superstar. It’s really packed on all sides with flavor and fine texture. This is an exciting wine that is outrageously good value for money, and it will age beautifully. A well-kept secret in Western Australia, it sells for $32 AUD. 12% alcohol, sealed under screw cap.” Robert Parker Wine Advocate, Erin Larkin, Mar 2024

96 Points “The epitome of Porongurup Riesling. Chalky florals, crushed stone minerality, nashi pear skin, a lick of bath salts, delicate spice, dried ginger, subtle flint, citrus blossom, lemongrass, citrus zest, lime pith and pip. The fine, succulent palate is pure and glass-like, gripping in all the right places, with mouthwatering acidity taking its place as a support role behind the fruit and the textural cues. An impressive, measured and elegant Riesling, and while it is deliciously fresh and floral now in its youth, it has a long life ahead for those who can wait. All class.” Decanter Magazine UK

95 Points, Jeremy Oliver

95 Points “Lifted bouquet of lemon and lime blossom. Bright and lively with tingly acidity driving the palate. Long, and linear with zesty lime and wet stone to the finish. Now-2033” The Vintage Journal, Oct 2023

94 Points “Another day, another post with Andrew banging on about young, Australian dry Riesling. Don’t like Riesling? Tune out now. Otherwise, just buy some of this Castle Rock Estate Riesling 2023. A familiar nose and a familiar crunch. Grapefruit, lime leaf, a little celery, then a wonderfully tangy grapefruit lime palate. Excellent palate drive and freshness – it goes on and on, with the slightly sour palate all about grapefruit briskness. How can you fault this? A strong vintage for Castle Rock Riesling, no doubt.” Oz Wine Review, Andrew Graham

94 Points “Put pricing aside for a moment, the team at Castle Rock have been making this Riesling since 1986 and they consider it their flagship. It is made with a blend from fruit off all of their blocks, with only free run juice used (that is, for those interested, the first 450 litres from every tonne pressed). A cool ferment in stainless steel with inoculated yeasts. A pale yellow hue here; this is a stony, even slightly smoky Riesling. We have notes of limes, grapefruits and spices. There is endless lemon on the palate too with juicy acidity, fine balance, and a very long finish. This is a cracking Riesling; cellar for ten years without hesitation.” Winepilot, Ken Gargett, Oct 2023

94 Points “This is great! The focus, the tension, it’s a very tidy Riesling from Castle Rock Estate.
And the tension is what I keep coming back to. Tightly coiled, expressive limes and lemongrass have a fabulous presence. A captivating sizzling minerally drive is moreish urging for another sip leaving a long trail in its wake. The well-handled acidity is cleansing and adds some more energy to a vibrant wine. Love it!” QWine reviews, Oct 2023

93 Points “This distinctive and precise 2023 Riesling delivers a powerful core of primary citrus lifted by wafts of wet stones and earthy spice. A linear, steely, acid-driven palate follows, with waves of citrus flavor delivered over a fresh yet silky finish. This wine is young, embryonic and built to last. Drinking Window: 2028-2038” Vinous.com, Angus Hughson, May 2024

92 Points “Light yellow-green, bright in the glass, with gorgeous lifted floral aromas, fresh but not too yeasty, with red apple/nashi pear overtones. The wine is soft in the mouth and approachable already in spite of its dryness and youth. Light bodied and smoothly textured.” Huon Hooke, The Real Review

“A flinty, racy, regional style that is bone dry and decidedly limey. A pure riesling without
compromise ★★★★☆ Winewise Magazine, Oct 2023