2023 Castle Rock Estate Pinot Noir: 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+”
2023 Castle Rock Estate ‘Diletti’ Pinot Noir: 95 POINTS
“Bright with an energetic lift, it was an excellent exercise tasting this beside its siblings. From the Porongurup sub-region of the Great Southern, this Castle Rock Estate Diletti is the wine I kept coming back to.Its presence and feel are captivating. The use of whole bunches (78%) and carbonic maceration are telling and that bunchy savoury appeal brings an intriguing drive. Spending ten months in mostly older French oak (14% new), the strawberry and red cherry fruit is buzzing with excitement and delivers a red apple lick for good measure. Plums add depth along with some earthiness, dried herbs and dried leaves. Well handled acid frames a wine that will see a long future. Persistent, gracious, moreish and considered, this is an excellent Pinot Noir. Drink to eight years+”
2023 Castle Rock Estate ‘A&W’ Pinot Noir: 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+”