2024 Castle Rock Estate Pinot Noir

Gold Medal, 2025 WA Boutique and Single Vineyard Wine Show

95 Points “Rob Diletti has proved himself one of the state’s finest winemakers over the years, and this is especially manifest in his approach with pinot noir. Shows elegance with slightly savoury truffly characters with a vibrant fruit purity. Typical aromas of strawberry and even a little cherry with a slightly savoury influence that threads through into the palate, rolls effortlessly over the palate with fine tannins and a nice integrated use of oak. Fleshy, textural, and retaining fine acidity. A testament to good viticulture and winemaking in a challenging year. Cellar: 8 Years” Wine Pilot, Ray Jordan

94-95 Points “Pretty, perfumed berry fruit, supported by gentle savoury flavours and textures. The tannins, oak and acid play a supporting role, allowing the fruit to shine. 25% new oak, 12% whole bunch. Wines made in batches, and then brought together at blending..” Barry Weinman, Fine Wine Club

94 Points “The 2024 vintage has an intense focus of black fruits, blood plums, mulberries and juniper. Fresh bay leaf and hawthorn linger like a halo, adding a stemmy note to the ripe berries. Oak shows in cedar and sandalwood, a touch more vivid this vintage. But there is some real grip to the tannins, which once again demonstrates why I think this wine is always a stand out, its upright with its frame but filled in with shade of spice and nicely plump berries. All the features of a fine wine have been considered and so this bodes well for pinot drinkers but would also satisfy the palate of a grenache or gamay drinker as well. Drink alone or with some charred bbq octopus. Drink now or will cellar for another 2-3 years.” Winepilot, Shanteh Wale

94 Points “This 2024 Pinot Noir is one of a trio of new releases from Rob Diletti and his multi awarded Castle Rock Estate team. The harvest was from across the whole estate & the grapes vinified via a range of techniques including cold-soaking, whole-bunch and barrel fermentation. The result is a layered, muscular, exuberant and grippy Pinot Noir with initial aromas of charry oak, maraschino cherries and dried herbs. The sweet-and-savoury mid-palate allows the aromas and flavours to unfurl on breathing. Definitely one to accompany hearty flavoured winter dishes.” Winelines, Gilbert Labour

93 Points “The original Pinot Noir from Castle Rock Estate, sleek lines and layers of interest are the order of the day. It’s a wine that gets in deep and refuses to let go – winning! The fruit for the 2024 Castle Rock Estate Pinot Noir was sourced from across the whole estate with the vine age ranging from 38 to 10 years old. Maturation was in a combination of new and seasoned French barriques and puncheons for ten months (26% new, 13% whole bunch inclusion). Dark cherries, blackberries and an unmissable waft of smokey delight set the scene. The fruit is plentiful and grips you with two hands, yet it is ably supported by tilled earth, black tea and dried herbs. The use of whole bunches is evident and adds savoury textural appeal. Smoked meats, five spice and black pepper are not far from the action and reach long. That medium-bodied frame elevates the pleasure factor and heightens its drinkability. Great stuff! Drink to five years+” QWine

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

“Strongly varietal cherry/strawberry nose with hints of whole bunch complexity. A wine
with a silky texture and adequate fruit weight.” Winewise Magazine, Lester Jesberg

“There’s something so unmistakably Pinot about the aromas of this wine and I like them! Ripe strawberry and dark cherry, underpinned by subtle savoury and herbal notes. There’s a nice ‘yin/yang’ thing happening between richness and brightness that gives it a nice aromatic lift too. This lovely, medium-bodied, elegant wine opens with vibrant black and red fruits that sit beautifully on the palate. Layers of dried herbs, a touch of black pepper, charry notes, and finely judged oak come together very nicely, leading to a long finish that leaves a lasting impression of finesse and complexity.” Words from a Wineglass, Tony Peters