Cuvee Aux Antipodes By Prophet’s Rock 2018

SKU
CPPN201811 UCAU
  • Collaborative project between Paul Pujol and Burgundian winemaker, Francois Millet of Comte de Vogue
  • “I would place it alongside any Burgundy Grand Cru. Very, very impressive” - Huon Hooke
  • “Wow, what a wine. Quite beguiling” – Jane Faulkner
  • 1 or more bottles
    $190.00
Add to Wish List
Black Card Get free freight and more when you’re a member of The Black Card Club. Learn More
Need expert help?
Chat with our Cellar Angel team
Call Us
  • Cameron Douglas
    98 points
  • Nick Stock
    96 points

Editors notes

This Pinot Noir was made by Francois Millet, winemaker at the iconic Chambolle Musigny estate of Domaine Georges Comte de Vogue in partnership with Paul Pujol from Prophets Rock. Francois even insisted on exporting the same brass hand pumps from Bugundy to ensure that the wine was made using the same tools as he would in Burgundy. 100% destemmed from one parcel of the home block. Vinified in tank with one plunge by hand. Aged in 33% new oak for 17 months.

Details

Tasting Profile

  • Light (Light)
    Full (Full)
  • Low Tannin (Low Tannin)
    Tannic (Tannic)
  • Sweet (Sweet)
    Dry (Dry)
  • Low Acidity (Low Acidity)
    High Acidity (High Acidity)
  • Aroma
  • Palate

Food Pairings

  • Fish
  • Game
  • Poultry

Critic Scores & reviews

  • Cameron Douglas MS

    98
    "Complex, detailed and captivating bouquet of Pinot Noir - aromas and flavours of red fruits and wood spices - a seamless connection to earth and mineral layers. The texture is tense and very youthful - all locked up and not quite ready to reveal - but the quiver of spice and tannins with acidity and a core of fruit shows what's to come. The wine is also very pretty with a rose and perfume scent, some wild dried herb and spice. Decant for service if you can't wait. Best drinking from 2021 through 2027+"
  • Nick Stock

    96
    "A collaboration wine between Burgundian Francois Millet and Prophet’s Rock’s Paul Pujol. This makes a very harmonious impression on the nose with red cherries, spice, hazelnuts, red florals, fresh tobacco and light earthy nuances. The palate has a very neatly coiled and layered feel with tannins that unfurl and lift the finish. Red-cherry and pastry flavors are delivered in vibrant mode. Some blueberries, too. Drink or hold"

Other vintages

Love this wine? Here's a list of other vintages we have in stock if you'd like to try them as well.

Current auction

All current auctions for this wine & any different vintages.

Locations

New Zealand

The New Zealand wine industry is one of the younger wine regions in the world, whose popularity grew immensely when Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc hit the world wine scene, quite unique in style when compared to the typical French Sancerre.

Wine is successfully cultivated on both the North and South islands from a latitude of 36 degrees in the North to 45 degrees for the most southerly wine region in the world, the South Island's Central Otago. The majority of regions are located in free-draining alluvial valleys except for Waiheke Island and Kawarau Gorge in Central Otago and benefit from the moderating effect of the maritime climate as no vineyard is more than 80 miles from the ocean. With plentiful sunshine hours and cool evening sea breezes, the grapes thrive.

Sauvignon Blanc is the major white variety people will think of when you mention New Zealand Whites, however fantastic Chardonnay, Riesling, Pinot Gris, Gewurztraminer and less commonly Viognier, Chenin Blanc and Pinot Blanc. Pinot Noir is the most widely planted red variety in New Zealand although Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot (Bordeaux Blends), Syrah are also grown and in even smaller amounts, Tempranillo and Montepulcianos can too be found. Sparkling wines of very high standards are also made in New Zealand.

The key wine regions in New Zealand include Auckland, Canterbury, Central Otago, Gisborne, Hawke's Bay, Marlborough and Nelson.

Central Otago

Central Otago, located at the southernmost point of the world where wine grapes are grown, is a remarkable wine-growing region that spans over 4,000 square kilometers on New Zealand’s South Island. This spectacular landscape is surrounded by rugged mountains, glacial lakes, and wide-open valleys, which have earned the region a reputation as one of the most scenic wine destinations in the world.

The region is centered around the bustling tourist hub of Queenstown, which is an ideal base to explore the many world-class wineries and vineyards that dot the countryside. The unique soils in Central Otago are characterized by heavy mineral deposits in silt loams that are unlike any other region in New Zealand, resulting in wines with distinctive flavor profiles and complex structures.

Central Otago is New Zealand's only "continental" wine-growing region, which means it experiences greater diurnal temperature fluctuations than any other region in the country. These large swings between low and high temperatures create ideal conditions for growing Pinot Noir, the flagship red varietal of the region. The long, cool, and dry autumn period also plays a significant role in producing some of the world's best Pinot Noirs, which are known for their fragrant aroma, silky texture, and true fruit intensity.

In addition to Pinot Noir, Central Otago is also renowned for its aromatic whites, particularly Riesling, which can be made in styles ranging from bone-dry to very sweet. Gewurztraminer, Pinot Gris, and Chardonnay are also produced to a very high standard, reflecting the region's diverse terroir and the skill of its winemakers.

Central Otago's exceptional wines have earned it a place in Jancis Robinson's top five New World wine-producing regions, cementing its status as one of the most exciting and unique wine destinations in the world. With its awe-inspiring natural beauty, welcoming wineries, and world-class wines, Central Otago is a must-visit destination for any wine lover.

Bendigo NZ

Bendigo is a subzone in the eastern portion of the Central Otago wine region on New Zealand’s South Island, about 55 kilometres from the tourist adventure hub of Queenstown. Bendigo’s focus is primarily Pinot Noir, as its dry, stony, mineral-rich soils and semi-arid climate – with hot sunny days, cool nights, and long, dry autumns – are well-suited for growing and ripening this grape. Bendigo Pinot Noirs have a reputation as powerful expressions of this wine, boasting strong tannins and rich, concentrated flavours. In addition to Pinot Noir, the subzone also grows Riesling, Pinot Gris, and Chardonnay. As the area is hot enough to ripen Syrah, some producers are also beginning to experiment with growing this grape.

Recommended For You

Life is short … so you should savour every sip. That’s why we’ve specifically curated these wines and spirits, especially for you based on your profile, preferences, and past purchases. Enjoy!

Pairs Well With

Whether it's a decadent cheese, mouth-watering red meat, perfectly cooked poultry, succulent seafood, or a vegetarian feast, for every wine or spirit you choose from us, we provide you with a number of helpful suggestions for what will pair deliciously with your purchase.

Frequently Bought With

About the brand Prophets Rock

Two vineyards were established in the Bendigo sub-region: The Prophet’s Rock Home Vineyard and, subsequently, the Rocky Point. Both are steep and elevated, and each is distinctive – The Home Vineyard with its rare mix of soils, including schist, clay and chalk, and Rocky Point with its stony ground and almost treacherous slopes.

Step into the winery though and it's almost like stepping into one of the old houses of Europe. Winemaker Paul Pujol refined his trade working in France’s classical wine regions, the Languedoc, Sancerre and, crucially, Burgundy and Alsace. His traditional aesthetic — respectful, patient, vineyard-focused – resonates in the Prophet’s Rock wines, and frees them to express the uniqueness of the individual terroirs.

The Prophet’s Rock philosophy centres around combining both the old world and the new; “past and present unified by place”. Prophet’s Rock are also committed to sustainable wine production with the vines sitting comfortably in the natural environment that surrounds them. Prophet’s Rock is also a member of Sustainable Winegrowing New Zealand.
With the vineyard producing low yield yet highly concentrated flavourful fruit, their efforts truly shine in the vineyard with harvesting undertaken completely by hand.

Their Pinot Gris and Riesling are slowly and gently whole-bunch pressed, followed by long slow ferments in barrel and aging on yeast lees prior to bottling before the next harvest. The Pinot Noir requires minimal extraction due to the extraordinary concentration of the fruit, and is fermented using only indigenous yeast from the vineyard. In barrel, the wines go through spontaneous malolactic fermentation and extended élevage. In the case of Prophet’s Rock, our Pinot Noir is bottled unfiltered and cellared before release.

"When we founded Prophet’s Rock in 1999, our goal was to find sites in Central Otago like no others. Two vineyards were established in the Bendigo sub-region: The Prophet’s Rock Home Vineyard and, subsequently, the Rocky Point. Both are steep and elevated, and each is distinctive – The Home Vineyard with its rare mix of soils, including schist, clay and chalk, and Rocky Point with its stony ground and almost treacherous slopes.

In the winery, though, we find our muses in the old houses of Europe. Winemaker Paul Pujol refined his trade working in France’s classical wine regions, the Languedoc, Sancerre and, crucially, Burgundy and Alsace. His traditional aesthetic — respectful, patient, vineyard-focused – resonates in our wines, and frees them to express the unique tenor of our sites." - Prophet's Rock

You May Also Like

Customer Reviews

Write Your Own Review
You're reviewing:Cuvee Aux Antipodes By Prophet’s Rock 2018
Your Rating

Never want to miss out? Allow Notifications to hear more from us

Remind me later

Thank you! Please check your email inbox to confirm.

Oops! Notifications are disabled.