January 8, 2026 (Rolling Hills, CA) — Castle Rock Winery, a family-owned and operated winery since 1994, is pleased to announce multiple high-scoring reviews from leading wine critics, led by a 91-point rating from James Suckling for its 2023 Columbia Valley Cabernet Sauvignon and a 90-point rating for its 2024 Central Coast Pinot Noir.
Suckling described the 2023 Columbia Valley Cabernet Sauvignon as “layered, rich and warmly tannic,” highlighting blackberry and black pepper flavors supported by a substantial texture, with bay leaf and black olive notes adding savory complexity. He recommends drinking the wine now.
The 2024 Central Coast Pinot Noir was praised for its dark cherry and plum flavors, light tannins, and easygoing texture, with nuances of cinnamon and forest floor. Bottled under screw cap and recommended for immediate enjoyment, the wine underscores Castle Rock’s strength in crafting balanced, fruit-forward Pinot Noir.
“These scores reinforce what Castle Rock has stood for since day one—delivering wines of true regional character at an exceptional value,” said Greg Popovich, founder and owner of Castle Rock Winery. “Whether it’s Pinot Noir from California’s Central Coast or Oregon’s Willamette Valley, or Cabernet Sauvignon from Washington’s Columbia Valley, our focus remains the same: crafting balanced, expressive wines that are enjoyable now and accessible to wine lovers everywhere.”
Stephen Ross, Vice President and National Sales Manager, added, “Very few wines at the $12 retail level receive scores like this. It’s strong validation for our distributors, retail partners, and restaurant accounts that Castle Rock continues to deliver quality, value, and reliability across the portfolio.”
Adriana Popovich, Director of Social Media, shared, “For us, it always comes back to the people enjoying our wines. Whether it’s a classic Castle Rock Cabernet or one of our newer Kosmic Kitty wines, we want customers to feel confident bringing a bottle to the table—knowing they’re getting great quality, real value, and something made with care by a family-owned winery.”
In addition to the headline scores, James Suckling also awarded an 89-point rating to Castle Rock Winery’s 2023 California Cabernet Sauvignon, noting its full-bodied yet approachable style, with flavors of blackberry, black cherry, and black olive accented by a light touch of oak spice.
Castle Rock Winery’s Pinot Noir program earned additional acclaim with the 2023 Willamette Valley Pinot Noir receiving an 89-point rating. The wine was described as light-bodied and acid-driven, showcasing crisp raspberry and red cherry flavors with a mouthwatering, linear profile. Notes of cranberry, bay leaf, and red tea further highlight the wine’s freshness and regional distinction.
Castle Rock Winery also marked a strong finish to 2025 with the rapid growth of its newest brand, Kosmic Kitty Wines, which reached 35,000 cases in production and sales in just seven months on the market. Kosmic Kitty has quickly gained critical acclaim, including 90-point Wine Enthusiast scores for Kosmic Kitty Pinot Noir and Cabernet Sauvignon, along with 92-point ratings from Tasting Panel Magazine for both its 2023 California Pinot Grigio and 2023 California Pinot Noir—notable achievements for wines retailing at $12.
The 2023 Columbia Valley Cabernet Sauvignon, 2024 Central Coast Pinot Noir, 2023 California Cabernet Sauvignon, and 2023 Willamette Valley Pinot Noir are available nationally through select distributors.
