Cuvee Aux Antipodes by Prophet’s Rock
— Portfolio —
BLANC CHARDONNAY 2022
Bottle shot
Following on from 2021 this vintage is another ‘stable’ vintage, finally production levels back to the expected yield, albeit Paul still crops/farms to produce very low yields vs most. Really nice December gave good flowering, followed by a warm January really setting up the vintage. Odd Feb, much March + April was very consistent so produced a lovely vintage
The 2022 is the fifth release from this partnership between Francois Millet & Paul Pujol.
The site itself called Kopuwai Delta vineyard is across from the Home Vineyard in Pisa (the opposite side of the valley to Bendigo). 1 hectare of Chardonnay was planted in 2004 then an additional 0.7 hectare block in 2016 totalling 1.7 hectares that Prophet’s Rock manage.
The vineyard itself is on a flat terrace at the bottom of these slopes on the western bank of the valley. A mixed of Schist from the mountains behind and river stone/fine gravel from the alluvial wash on the valley floor. 225 meters elevation.
Hand-picked, whole bunch pressed. Combined pressing and free run pre ferment. Settled, racked off heavy lees before going into barrel. Primary ferment finished by Spring. Wine spent 17 months in barrel. No battonage. Racked off fine lees after summer (10 months), then a second winter in barrel (7 months), total 17 months elevage.
Racked into tank for one month before bottling. Three new barrels (13% of total blend) out of the 23 barrels used was Remond (Troncais forest) in Ladoix Serrangy, Medium toast. Same barrel as Francois would use for the Musigny Blanc at Domaine Comte Georges de Vogüé.
“Hibiscus, violet, orange blossom, flint, and lead pencil aromas. Perfumed. Medium-bodied with extremely creamy and fine tannins with a beautiful finish. Refined and classy. 4 tons made. Drinkable but better in two or three years.” – 96 pts – James Suckling
2020 was a cool vintage in the region. High natural acids. This was the year that Lake Wanaka actually flooded the town due to the huge amounts of rain. Due to the rainfall it created alot of snow, so temperatures were alot lower than normal so vines just bunkered down and didn’t want to flower. Quality was very good due to the reduced number of bunches per vine. Jan and Feb was actually good weather so end result was a great wine, albeit tiny amounts.
100% destemmed from one parcel (same every year) from the home vineyard at Prophet’s Rock. It’s a single clone, 777 and from the most sheltered part of the lower terrace. 1 hectare parcel. This site has approximately 80cm before the vines meet the Clay and Pedogenic limestone mother rock. Vinified in open top 4.5 ton fermenters, 2 meters wide, 1.5 metre high specifically for wider cap.
Approximately 7 days pre ferment soak. One plunge by hand which is two thirds way through the ferment (main extraction of the vintage) and a gentle “pump through”, not pump over Paul is keen to stress towards the end. Pressed when dry, free run and pressings together.
Aged in 33% new oak for 17 months. Racked cask to cask, unfiltered. Remond (Allier), same Francois uses in Burgundy.
“The vineyard sits on a high elevation (320 – 390m), steep glacial terrace high above the valley floor. The site features some of the oldest vineyard soils in the valley with the formation of the terrace occurring approximately 650K years ago. The soil age and dry Central Otago climate have combined to create the unusual clay and pedogenic lime soil structure. Beneath layers of clay at a depth of 50-80cm sits a thick layer of chalk. The total 7.5ha site of the home vineyard was prepared and planted between 1999-2001 and the parcel of Pinot Noir for this wine (cuvee aux antipodes) is a single clone at the western end of the steep front face. Full organic certification (Biogro) was completed prior to the 2018 vintage” – Paul Pujol – Owner
“Elegant, restrained nose of dark fruits, violet and spice, wrapped in smoky oak. The palate is seriously concentrated with orange peel, lots of spice and layers of complexity. Very long, evolving and refined, this is in another class altogether. Fruit, florals and wood crash in waves across the peacock’s tail finish. Magnificent stuff. 2024–2039″ – 97 Points – The Real Review
“The 2020 Pinot Noir Cuvee Aux Antipodes is an intensely concentrated wine created from tiny yields (20hl/ha). Small berries have contributed to the richness of tannin. Still, the hands-off approach of winemaker François Millet means they have been gently extracted, creating an assured frame for the wine to sit in without any aggression. This is a savory style, restraining the fruity nature of Central Pinot, creating layers of intrigue from black olive and Worcestershire sauce to dried herbs and smoked meats. It has great acidity, providing invigorating energy on the finish, which reflects the cooler vintage. There’s staying power in this wine, no doubt, and it’s a good cellaring prospect. Drinking Window: 2025-2037″ – 96 Points – Vinous
“This has an intense, complex nose of charred bark, dark cherries, black raspberries, cumin, spice box, iodine and slate. It’s medium- to full-bodied with a firm, sleek tannin structure providing plenty of support to the dark fruit. Tight and mineral at the end. Better after 2023.” – 95 Points – James Suckling