Prophets Rock 'Home Vineyard' Pinot Noir 2022

The foundation of this wine is our focus on delivering low-yielding concentrated fruit that expresses our vineyard. In the winery, we employ traditional old world techniques; the grapes are handled gently, and the wines are fermented using only the indigenous yeast from the vineyard. The wines are aged in barrel for 15-18 months before being bottled unfiltered and are cellared before release. Since the first release in 2005, the Prophet’s Rock Pinot Noir has consistently been one of the best-reviewed Pinot Noirs in New Zealand. Cellaring will reward collectors over the next 10+ years from vintage. PR

The grapes were sourced from the Home Vineyard on the impressive North-facing slopes of Chinaman’s Terrace, located in the Bendigo sub-region of Central Otago. Planted in 1999/2000 and will be certified organic from the 2019 vintage. Starts at325 meters above sea level, rising up to 400 meters. North West exposition. This stunning site has soil featuring clay and chalk mixed with schist and quartz.

97 Points James Suckling "A fantastic pinot with dried strawberries, orange peel, terra-cotta, and dried leaves. It’s full and very layered with creamy and fine tannins that go on for minutes. Plenty of depth and very long with tension and a beautifully creamy, velvety finish."

The Prophet's Rock operation based at Bendigo produces wines that are distinctively European in character. One must taste and drink them with a perspective of a vigneron in the Rheingau, Riquewihr or in Pommard to appreciate their style. Mike Mulvey set up the label based on fruit from two sites, one in Pisa, the other in Bendigo, in 1999. The arrival of Paul Pujol as winemaker with experience including Alsace, Burgundy and Oregon has cemented the international outlook of the vineyard, winery and the wines. RAYMOND CHAN, raymondchanwinereviews.co.nz