Description
ASSESSMENT
Colour: Mid red colour.
Bouquet: The aromas from this wine show true Pinot Noir character. Strawberry and cherry fruits are backed by a complex and creamy gaminess. There are also hints of spice, stalks, and some charry barrel ferment characters all combining to give the wonderful complex aromas you would expect from good Pinot Noir.
Palate: The front palate shows the cherry and strawberry fruit characters. There is a silky texture and wonderful balance running through the mid palate, with the quality French oak adding subtle charry characters. The tannins are fine and balanced, combining with a tight acid structure to give a long, lingering and powerful finish. The light gaminess adds complexity, which will continue to develop with age.
FOOD ACCOMPANIMENT
Perfect with duck but also try with lamb, chicken and mild Asian dishes.
CELLARING POTENTIAL
Will continue to improve and develop complexity with age; cellar for 6 to 8 years.
Harvest Date: 8th March 2018
Bottling Date: 10th February 2019
Alc: 13.5%
pH: 3.60
T.A.: 6.2g/L
Residual sugar: 0g/L
REVIEWS
94 Points “Western Australia is not the first state you think of for Pinot Noir, but there are a couple of very promising regions for Pinot in the state, including Porongurup. And it is no surprise that local leading winery Castle Rock is one of the best.This is a wine that brings together power and finesse like the finest Pinots with focussed layers of cranberry, cherry and raspberry fruits supported by stalky, spicy complexity. The palate is pure silk; with dark and red fruits peeling away to reveal earthy and floral complexity that finishes with exceptional length. It’s very young and really needs time to show its best.” Wine Pilot, Angus Hughson, March 2020
94 Points “Castle Rock’s pinots are always just that; Castle Rock’s pinots. They don’t ape anything. They’re also very good. Fantastically delicious. There’s my phrase for the day. So (woodsy) spicy, so textural, so persistent. It’s more-ish but it stands tall on pure traditional quality terms as well. Gorgeous tannin structure and length. An absolute buy recommendation on this one.”
The Winefront, Feb 2020
“Light bright purple/red colour, attractive strawberry & cherry aromas with a splash of subtle spice, gorgeous palate, superbly balanced with layers of flavours. A TRULY GORGEOUS PINOT!” Wine Assist, Dan Traucki, Feb 2020
94 Points, “A glossy red in the glass with a nose that is reminiscent of central Otago with generous black cherry and plum that is wrapped in sandalwood spice and faint undergrowth. The wine is no shrinking violet with fruit, acid and tannin on full show yet meeting each other in equal measure whilst remaining intensely varietal. There is a lattice of spice that works with rhubarb and fresh earth to finish. A wine that will evolve and live for a long time.” Winereviewer.com.au, Feb 2020
94 Points “Bang on Pinot Noir drinking here folks. Pinot from beginning to end. You know because it smells seductively Pinot on the nose and delivers beautifully on the palate. You get spicy berry fruit as well as luscious lifted plums. Cherries, strawberries, raspberries and plums, yum! The oak is imparted very judiciously, the tannins are silky fine. Classy and elegant in the way it shows off the real and spice filled fruit. No overdoing it at one level and no underestimating it at the other. Confident would be the right word. Drinkable, really well put together and this is an excellent varietal. Excellent.” Paul Ippolito. Feb 2020
93 Points “…Take it unto oneself, it’s succulent with a vein of acidity that represents the wine’s nervous system, about which all else hangs. The fruit, threading a savoury mien, casting a fine minerally tannin. Castle Rock wines just possess an inherent balance, here that fruit/savoury proposition hanging nicely.”
The Vinsomniac, Feb 2020
“… entices both on the eye and initial nose. Deep cherry hue and a crystal-clear meniscus presage a wine of interest and substance. It is well-anchored in the traditional varietal Pinot Noir characters redolent of maraschino cherries, blackberries and brambles. The intensity of flavours is reflected across the palate with a seamless delivery of fine tannin savouriness, crisp natural acid, minerality and a flirtatious hint of smoky ripe fruit. The long, lush palate journey finishes with a fulsome, textural spicy mouthfeel which entices to yet another glass. Another offering of distinction from Owner / Winemaker Rob Diletti and team.”
The Grape Hunter, Gilbert Labour, Feb 2020
18.75/20 POINTS “Wonderful range of Pinot aromas: strawberry and cherry fruit, herby undergrowth with fine spice and a savoury, yet juicy meatiness. The palate medium bodied, tense, layered, textural and with fantastic length of flavour. Spice and impeccable well-knitted almost silky tannin.” Vinonotebook, Regan Drew, Mar 2020
