Castle Rock Estate A&W Pinot Noir 2021
- 94
- $52
- Drink by: 2022-2026
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Another in the range which is a tribute to winemaker Rob Diletti’s mum and dad as founders of the Estate. It is not that long ago that good Pinot Noir from Western Australia was about as common as ski fields in Queensland, but things have changed and we have seen a number of seriously impressive wines over recent years – add this to the list. The fruit here was sourced from a block planted in 1986, so perhaps older vines are playing a role, as no doubt is winemaking experience. The wine saw 25% whole bunch inclusion and spent 10 months maturing ‘on medium lees’ in French oak, 19% of which was new. This is silk and lace in a glass. A lovely pale garnet colour with spices and herbs, red fruits, a hint of a brambly character and some freshly turned earth with a good line of acidity running the full journey. This is mid weight, a silky style of Pinot exhibiting some early complexity. Drink now for three to four years, but I’m sure well-cellared bottles will give pleasure long beyond that.
Ken was born and bred in Brisbane, Queensland. He had a non-trendy, perfectly happy childhood, in a family convinced alcohol meant instant condemnation to Hades. But a break fishing on the Great Barrier Reef, and some good wine, started a serious obsession that eventually took over. It did not stop Ken being chastised later for drinking Pol champagne, disgusted he’d drink anything made by a Cambodian dictator. Now, Ken mostly writes on wine, champagne and spirits for various newspapers, magazines and books, but is perhaps best known for his work in The Courier Mail. He also has a little sideline writing on cigars, fishing, travel and food. When not writing, fly-fishing for trout in NZ or bonefish on the flats of Cuba, travelling or smoking cigars, he is no doubt following a variety of sporting teams – the occasionally glorious Queensland Reds rugby, the dysfunctional Washington Redskins, the dodgy Arsenal and especially revels in the world restored to its proper axis with the return of the Ashes to their rightful home.
