Castle Rock tasting

[Waiters Friend]

Castle Rock is a long-established producer in the small but important Porongorup wine region in W.A. Owned and operated by the Diletti family, with Rob Diletti at the helm. In addition to their own wines, Rob contact makes wines for quite a few other vineyards in the area (including Dukes) and in the Great Southern generally. He's become synonymous with Porongorup riesling.

We joined Rob and Brendan Jansen MW at Lamonts in Cottesloe for a dinner and tasting. Here are my notes:

Castle Rock Gruner Veltliner 2022: It makes sense, given the emphasis on Castle Rock rieslings, for them to have a go at Gruner. And this was a very good wine indeed. Straw colour, lemon zest, some traminer-like characters including ginger, spice, Turkish delight and lychee. Acidity is crisp and the wine finishes cleanly. The best non-Austrian Gruner I have tried.

Castle Rock Skywalk Riesling 2021: Very pale straw. Made from pressings from the Porongorup Riesling. Red apple on the nose, and joined by the expected lime juice on the palate. There's a touch of sherbet (or just prickly acid) on the tongue, although the acid itself is not piercing.

Castle Rock Porongorup Riesling 2022: Made from the free run juice. Pale straw. This is more like what I expect from a dry Australian riesling - lime juice, lemon, and with a touch of green apple. Good acidity, without being too sharp or steely.

Castle Rock A&W Riesling 2022. A&W are Rob's parents' initials (Angelo and Wendy). This wine spends a little time on lees (in tank). This is lots of lime juice, quite concentrated, and with the extra touch of (moderate) creamy texture from time on lees. Still finishes cleanly from the acid, and has a longer finish than the previous rieslings. Experience tells me this will age superbly.

Castle Rock Diletti Riesling 2022: Fermented in old (neutral) oak barrels, in the Alsacian style. Compared to the previous rieslings, this has less overt fruit, and a softer palate, although the acid is still up there. There's some savoury elements in there as well. I don't think the fruit or acid are any less than in the other rieslings, just that the barrel fermentation and old oak add extra elements that have made the wine more complex and interesting. There's more and more riesling producers having a go at barrel fermented riesling, and this is an excellent example.

Castle Rock Chardonnay 2021: Lots of yellow peach on the nose. The palate includes some nectarine alongside the peach, and a little cedary oak. Described by a learned palate as 'Puligny-like', but for me just a straightforward chardonnay. I much prefer the ......

Castle Rock Diletti Chardonnay 2020: Pale yello in colour. The nose is showing lemon, peach and nectarine, alongside some cashew. The fruit is more intense than the 'standard' chardonnay, and is well matched by the cedary oak (25% new). This is a better balanced wine all round and has greater length.

Castle Rock Pinot Noir 2020: Garnet colour. Spicy oak over soft cherry fruit. Acid is modest, and there are barely noticeable tannins. For a pinot noir, this could be simple described as 'soft'.

Castle Rock Pinot Noir 2021: Compared to the 2020, there is more prominent cherry and strawberry fruit, alongside spicy oak. Invigorating acid and fine tannins, this is a more 'amplified' wine than the 2020. Good length.

Castle Rock Cabernet Sauvignon 2019: Cabernet can be a bit 'hit and miss' in this cool climate region, but this is a beauty. Blackcurrant, cassis, mulberry and a hint of tobacco. Medium (but not chunky) tannins add to a lovely firmness and structure, and it has a reasonably long finish. A product of a good year for cabernet.

There was also a 2021 Shiraz, a RS21 riesling (approx Kabinett level of sweetness) and a non-vintage Muscat, but I had stopped taking notes by that stage.

A mixed dozen has been purchased, and I am sure I will be back for more.

Cheers
Allan

[I Love Shiraz]

Good notes Allan. I have a few bottles left of the Castle Rock Pinot Noir 2012, and it is drinking beautifully right now.