2023 Castle Rock Estate ‘Diletti’ Pinot Noir (Porongurup)

From the Producer:
Named in honour of the Diletti family who founded Castle Rock Estate, this range of wines explores the idea of textural wines. The textural component of this Pinot Noir is derived from the tannins created through whole bunch fermentation.

Handpicked estate Pinot Noir. Whole bunch fermenters were filled with CO2 gas and sealed to encourage carbonic maceration and left to cold soak. Ferments were foot stomped throughout fermentation. 10 months barrel maturation on medium lees.14% new oak, 78% whole bunch, unfined. 

Bright, ruby. Highly aromatic; fig leaf, pencil shavings with an undercurrent of dark fruits. A more delicate and precise mouthfeel than its siblings, driven by the graphite like fine tannins, but by no means lacking in flavour. Juicy red fruits up front, followed by dried spiced characters, think cumin and coriander. The fine tannin structure is working with the acid back bone to drive a long, lingering finish. This wine will reward careful cellaring.
(Castle Rock Estate)

96 Points - Ray Jordan, Winepilot
This is a completely engaging example of Porongurup Pinot Noir in the hands of a master winemaker. After the fruit was handpicked it underwent carbonic maceration with cold soaking and the old foot stomping technique was used before 10 months in oak. Seductive aromas of strawberry and darker plum with a savoury edge. The silky-smooth palate delivers a combination of power and drive presented with elegance and poise. 

96 Points - Paul Edwards The Weekend West
There’s a rare depth of flavour and intensity to this impressively structured pinot noir. A high proportion of stems (78 per cent) from whole bunch fermentation adds a dash of earthy spice and a roast beetroot note to the pure concentrated red berry core of flavours. The rich flavours evolve as you sip — think strawberries and black plums, brambles and bracken. A dry, porcelain clay-like tannin offers a textural savouriness to the otherwise silky palate. This is fine, complex, lingering and exceptionally good.

95 Points - Qwine, Apr 2024
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+.