Back in 2009 Central Otago winemaker Paul Pujol went to do vintage at De Vogüé in Burgundy, with François Millet. Later, in 2013, Paul took François’ son as an intern, and François and his wife visited Central Otago. Since then, they have struck up a friendship and made a wine together from the Prophet’s Rock vineyard, called Cuvée Aux Antipodes, with 2015 as the debut vintage. This is just the seventh release and already it has reached almost legendary status in wine circles.
Winery notes (2021 Vintage)
"The Cuvée Aux Antipodes is the meeting of two winemakers, Paul Pujol and Francois Millet from the two hemispheres. The Old and the New World seemingly so distant, join here in a human and winemaking adventure with a common passion for Pinot Noir and the beauty of its terroirs.
The grapes were sourced from our Home Vineyard which is located on a high-elevation, steep glacial terrace in the Bendigo sub-region of Central Otago. This stunning site has clay and pedogenic lime soil, featuring schist and quartz."
96/100 Erin Larkin, RobertParker.com, Wine Advocate, December 2023 (2021 Vintage)
"The 2021 Cuvee aux Antipodes Pinot Noir is scheduled for release in 2025 (although, should you be able to get your hands on some now and wish to drink it, it is already looking so good). On the nose, the wine is fresh and so detailed, with spiced cherry, tapenade, dried herbs, hints of alpine mint, red apple skins and black tea. In the mouth, the wine is balanced and exciting, herbal and fresh, with layers of texture and flavor that are difficult to separate. This is first rate, a thrilling wine, powerful and long but nuanced. Sealed under Diam."
Reviews for previous vintages below…
5 Stars & 97/100 Stephen Wong MW, The Real Review, May 2024 (2020 Vintage)
"Cuvée aux Antipodes is the joint venture between Prophet’s Rock winemaker Paul Pujol and François Millet, who recently left Domaine Comte Georges de Vogüé. Pujol worked a vintage at de Vogüé and since 2016, François has made a special cuvée of delicious pinot noir from one part of the Prophet’s Rock home block. (He now also makes a wonderful chardonnay from Prophet’s Rock’s third vineyard, across Lake Dunstan.) Using techniques he perfected with Musigny, Millet also practices infusion with this arresting pinot noir.
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."
96/100 JamesSuckling.com (2020 Vintage)
"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."