2023 Castle Rock Estate Porongurup Riesling

Super star winemaker Rob Diletti has propelled his family estate to dizzy heights winning countless trophies, gold medals and awards in particular for their Riesling. First produced in 1986 this is the flagship Riesling for Castle Rock Estate. It’s a blend of the 6 Riesling blocks, each with their own unique flavour profiles that contribute to the wines’ overall layered complexity.
Brilliant water like core with highlights of green around the edges. Intense lemon and lime scents infused with steely mineral characters sail from the glass trailed by Granny Smith apple, chalk and flint notes. Zesty lemon, lime and Granny Smith apple fruits are sculptured by zippy acidity which provides laser like focus and great tension. Concentrated and powerful yet steely in its feel with notions of flint, wet steel and minerals lingering long through the dry, mouth watering finish.
Drink over the next 6-8 years.
Alc. 12%

Other Reviews….
The product of a cool, late vintage – just what the doctor ordered. It's already filling the bouquet with heady flourishes of limes that move into top gear on a long, layered magic carpet of citrus, all sorts. The back label says 'Since its inception in 1986 this wine has been the flagship of our rieslings.' Drink by 2038.
97 points
James Halliday – Australian Wine Companion

I love this wine. Every year it is a star performer, defined by its restraint and finesse. It delivers grace and levity, focus and poise, all wrapped in a talc-y, floral package. Pretty good if you ask me. So, this 2023 Porongurup Riesling is a child of the mild and even 2023 season, and the wine is a superstar. It's really packed on all sides with flavor and fine texture. This is an exciting wine that is outrageously good value for money, and it will age beautifully. A well-kept secret in Western Australia, it sells for $32 AUD. 12% alcohol, sealed under screw cap. Drink 2023-2038.
96 points
Erin Larkin – Robert Parker’s The Wine Advocate

The epitome of Porongurup Riesling. Chalky florals, crushed stone minerality, nashi pear skin, a lick of bath salts, delicate spice, dried ginger, subtle flint, citrus blossom, lemongrass, citrus zest, lime pith and pip. The fine, succulent palate is pure and glass-like, gripping in all the right places, with mouthwatering acidity taking its place as a support role behind the fruit and the textural cues. An impressive, measured and elegant Riesling, and while it is deliciously fresh and floral now in its youth, it has a long life ahead for those who can wait. All class.
96 points
Decanter

Oh my. One sniff confirmed by the taste shows why this is regarded as one of the great vintages for riesling and why Rob Diletti is regarded as one of our great winemakers. Steely, spicy and lemony with a tense slaty edge. The palate is deeply intense, bursting with beautiful aromatic varietal riesling. That crunchy wet pebbly mouth feel is simply a joy.
97 points
RayJordanWine.com.au

A flagship wine for the brand which they have been making since 1986. So it’s no surprise they have absolutely NAILED it once again. It’s almost like what freshly bathed baby skin smells like, pure and immaculate. Apple blossoms, white nectarine and lychee. Greengage plums, lime pith and quartz. Slippery and nimble on the palate the wine is delicate but mighty in its long flavour length and grip. Gorgeous in its reflective tones and elegant style – drink now and will cellar upwards of 8 years. I’d love to see this served with burrata, tomatillos and smoked salt. Drink now and bask in the splendour of superb Porongurup, because it’s SO hot right now. Drink 2023-2031.
97 points
Shanteh Wale – WinePilot.com