Winery notes (2022 Vintage)
"Concentrated and elegant with red and dark fruit, spectacular baking spices combined with smoky oak and the signature integrated tannin structure, this seamless wine with its velvety texture will leave you wanting more.
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."
97/100 JamesSuckling.com (2022 Vintage)
"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."
Reviews for previous vintages below…
94/100 Mike Bennie, The Wine Front, November 2022 (2021 Vintage)
"Very minerally, firm and structured. Indeed, despite the dark berry, cherry, mocha and fennel characters, this really is more about crushed rock, slate and granitic mineral characters in abundance. A firm skeleton first, tannins in a tight, silty web, the wine feels draped in its fruit and spice character hanging on those bones. Lovely in that way and one for the future more than now. Impressive."
5 Stars & 96/100 Bob Campbell MW, The Real Review, July 2022 (2019 Vintage)
"A deep, dark pinot noir with cassis, dark cherry and berry, red-fleshed plum, liquorice, smoky oak and mixed spice/anise flavours. Prophet’s Rock’s signature low extraction winemaking has produced an accessible wine supported by ripe tannins that suggest good ageing potential. Terrific wine!"
5 Stars Michael Cooper (2019 Vintage)
"This consistently rewarding red is estate-grown at a high-altitude site at Bendigo and barrel-aged, typically for about 17 months. The 2019 vintage is finely structured and very harmonious. Full-coloured, it is mouthfilling, with rich cherry, plum and spice flavours, and well-integrated oak adding complexity. Savoury and concentrated, it is likely to be long-lived, and well worth cellaring to 2024+."
96/100 Huon Hooke, May 2021 (2018 Vintage)
"Medium to full ruby colour with traces of purple and brick-red. The bouquet is reserved and metallic with ironstone and dried-blood nuances, dark plum emerging with airing, and very complex. The wine is full-bodied and savoury, with drying tannins, fleshiness and terrific depth of flavour. Serious concentration and appetising savouriness. A pinot with structure: the tannins are typical of the Bendigo subregion."
Rated Excellent & 93/100 Cameron Douglas MS (2018 Vintage)
"An individual, refreshing, varietal and savoury bouquet of Pinot. Aromas include dried herb and ripe cranberry, rose and red cherry flesh. The oak is very mild with a hint of spice. Dry with abundant fruit tannins contrasted by a core of red cherry, cranberry and lite red apple. Youthful acid line and a floral moment adds complexity, intensity and length. Great balance and finish. Drink today and through Summer 2021."