A good result for Porongurups Pinot: Castle Rock Pinot Noir 2017

Castle Rock Pinot Noir 2017

I’m not a massive fan of Great Southern Pinot, purely due to a lack of delicacy. That’s a broad generalisation, I know, but convince me otherwise. Meanwhile, this Castle Rock is better than most. Ripe and unquestionably full, there’s carefully handled ripeness and with just a little background meatiness in there. It’s a bit too ripe and powerful to be magnificent, but the whispers of menthol and real tannins help things along. You still get the feeling that Pinot isn’t suited to what is Riesling and Shiraz/Cab country, though this is very well made. Best drinking: I’d wait a year or so then up to five years. 17.5/20, 91/100. 13%, $38. Would I buy it? A glass.