2024 Castle Rock Estate ‘A&W’ Pinot Noir

96 Points “A stunning display of Satsuma plums, bayberries and rhubarb. Tilled brown earth, porcini mushroom and paprika spice. Acidity is coiled and springy allowing for a flavour lift in the middle pate followed by sandy tannins. There is real grace here and perhaps the standout of the range this vintage. It’s almost milky in its creamy, swirls of boysenberry ripple and light touches of vanilla oak. It finishes with a dusting of nutmeg and autumn leaves. A very fine wine indeed and would complement spatchcock or quail like a dream. Drink now or will cellar for another 3- 6 years.” Winepilot, Shanteh Wale

95 Points “Bright and youthful medium-depth purple colour; smoked charcuterie aromas dominate the bouquet, toasty oak barrels, while the palate is full and rich, loaded with flavour and mouth-coating but fine grained tannins, all in good balance. A generous style of pinot noir with delicious flavour and rewarding persistence.” The Real Review, Huon Hooke

96 Points ” This is a wine that pays homage to the founders of Castle Rock, Rob’s parents, Wendy and Angelo. This is an exquisitely crafted wine of polish, of texture and immense depth of quality fruit. The colour is quite brilliant and alive with a brilliance and a luminosity bursting from the glass. It’s quite light, but that can be deceptive. There is a driving intensity with the tannins and oak harnessing the fruit, and really is a testament to clever winemaking to pull all the components together into a wine that is focused and elegantly long through the palate. This was a warm year throughout Western Australia, yet it appears the higher altitude Porongurup region has handled the heat rather well, and this is an excellent wine.” Wine Pilot, Ray Jordan

96 Points “This seamless new release by Rob Diletti and team is in honour of Angelo and Wendy Diletti, the founders of the family business. Harvested from the original 1986 plantings, the fruit was fermented and matured in French oak with extended lees contact. The result is a tightly structured and layered youthful Pinot Noir of class and promise. It’s truly a ‘steel fist in a velvet glove’. The smooth yet grippy palate channels aromas and flavours of dark cherries, wafts of tobacco and pencil shavings. This is a Pinot Noir of complexity and depth which will reward short term cellaring but delivering generously at present.” Winelines, Gilbert Labour

96 Points “More savoury structure here. The fruit is perfectly ripe, but tending more to dark cherry characters rather than the more strawberry-like fruit of the estate. A complete wine that makes for great drinking now or over the next 10 years. Silky, supple, great drinking. The pick of the pinots.” Barry Weinman, Fine Wine Club

95 Points “Complexity with desire and intent, this is a Pinot Noir with soul. Well played Castle Rock Estate with this A&W Pinot Noir, their top Pinot in the range. The cherry fruit has swagger and presence. You could say it has those cool vibes and I’m all in for that. A portion of whole bunches was used in the ferment delivering delightful savoury nuances. Twigs, dried leaves, mushroom broth and Pinot earthiness all put their shoulder to the wheel for the win. Add some woodsy spices and all the signs of pleasure are pointing in the right direction. The three Pinots in the range demonstrate a gradual elevation in class and pleasure and this A&W sits perfectly on the top. I really like the cut of its jib. Go here. Drink to eight years.” QWine Reviews, Wine of the Month

95 Points “A cool, lithe and fresh-feeling pinot noir set to characters of tart cherry, white strawberry and white pepper, with pumice stone tannins and a fine, almost briny acid line. It all fits together well – delicate, pure and sleek, sitting under the cusp of medium weight but with a cascade of ‘purity’ and distinct pinot noir characteristics on song. Quite an individual wine, and great for it. This should be on your radar.” Halliday Wine Companion, Mike Bennie

94 Points Campbell Mattinson, The Winefront

“Bright light crimson in colour, vibrant bouquet of red berries, a hint of cherries and a splash of spice. Lovely beautifully rounded, flavoursome palate with a tight, grippy finish that lingers. A FABULOUS FOOD WINE!!” Winelines, Dan Traucki

★★★★☆ “The appealing dark cherry/beetroot characteristics are enhanced by undergrowth overtones and beautifully managed oak. This is a complex, well balanced pinot noir.” Winewise Magazine, Lester Jesberg