Cuvee Aux Antipodes by Prophet’s Rock Pinot Noir 2020

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

“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