2023 Prophet’s Rock Rocky Point Pinot Noir | Central Otago

🍷 New Release | Outstanding Central Otago Pinot Noir for $52

From Prophet’s Rock – One of Central Otago’s Benchmark Pinot Noir Producers

Steep Schist Slopes | Hand-Picked | Wild Fermented | French Oak

Central Otago, New Zealand

100% Pinot Noir | New Release

RRP $52

If you love Central Otago Pinot Noir, Prophet’s Rock should absolutely be on your radar.

And the 2023 Rocky Point Pinot Noir might be one of the best places to start.

2023 PROPHET’S ROCK ROCKY POINT PINOT NOIR

This comes primarily from the spectacular Rocky Point Vineyard in Bendigo, planted on ridiculously steep, north-facing slopes above Lake Dunstan.

Rocky.

Exposed.

Low yielding.

Predominantly schist soils.

And capable of producing Pinot Noir with a fascinating combination of:

Perfume.

Red fruit.

Minerality.

Fine tannins.

Freshness.

The 2023 is concentrated and elegant, but importantly, it's also incredibly drinkable.

And at:

RRP $52

this gives you a brilliant introduction to one of Central Otago's most exciting fine-wine producers.

Tasting Notes

This is beautifully perfumed Central Otago Pinot Noir.

Expect:

• Red cherry

• Raspberry

• Wild strawberry

• Pomegranate

• Red plum

• Violets and rose petals

• Wild herbs

• Exotic spice

• Crushed rock

• Subtle earthy complexity

There's lovely fruit concentration through the middle of the palate, but this isn't heavy Pinot Noir.

The red fruits are bright and energetic.

There's a subtle mineral character running underneath the fruit, reflecting the rocky, schist-based soils of the vineyard.

And then come the tannins.

Fine.

Velvety.

Elegant.

The wine has enough structure to make it serious, but enough generosity to make it immediately delicious.

Perfumed. Silky. Mineral. Fresh.

Exactly what we want from modern Central Otago Pinot Noir.

Rocky Point Vineyard

This is where the story gets really interesting.

The principal fruit source is Prophet’s Rock's Rocky Point Vineyard in Bendigo.

And when they call it Rocky Point?

They're not joking.

The vineyard occupies some of the steepest planted slopes in Central Otago.

It sits above Lake Dunstan, with warm, free-draining soils dominated by:

SCHIST.

Those rocky soils are a defining feature of this wine.

They contribute a subtle mineral character underneath the plush fruit and aromatic perfume.

The steep, north-facing slopes receive excellent sunlight, helping Pinot Noir achieve full flavour and physiological ripeness.

But Central Otago's cool nights help retain freshness.

Ripeness + acidity.

Fruit + structure.

Power + elegance.

That's the combination.

Two Central Otago Terroirs

While Rocky Point is the principal source, the 2023 also incorporates fruit from Prophet's Rock's other estate vineyard in the Pisa subregion.

And the two sites are very different.

Rocky Point – Bendigo

Warm.

Steep.

Free draining.

Predominantly schist.

Mineral.

Structured.

Kopuwai Delta – Pisa

A different combination of glacial and alluvial soils, bringing another dimension to the wine.

Together they create a Pinot Noir that captures more than one expression of Central Otago.

Winemaking

Prophet's Rock doesn't need to beat Pinot Noir into submission.

The vineyard does the heavy lifting.

The grapes are:

Hand picked

before being:

Wild fermented in small lots

using indigenous yeasts.

The wine is then matured for:

10 MONTHS IN FRENCH OAK

The goal isn't to make an oaky Pinot Noir.

It's to preserve the perfume and purity of the fruit while building texture and complexity.

The result is a Pinot Noir with beautiful aromatic lift, fine tannins and enough structure to develop further in bottle.

About Prophet's Rock

Prophet's Rock has become one of the most respected names in Central Otago.

The estate's first vineyards were planted in 1999, and winemaker Paul Pujol has been central to the story since the early vintages.

And his background is fascinating.

Pujol has worked in France, including experience in Burgundy, and that European influence can be seen in the restraint and detail of the Prophet's Rock wines.

The philosophy isn't about producing the biggest Central Otago Pinot Noir possible.

It's about:

Perfume.

Texture.

Fine tannin.

Site expression.

Balance.

Ageability.

That philosophy makes Rocky Point a particularly compelling Pinot Noir.

Central Otago Pinot Noir

Central Otago is one of the world's most extraordinary places to grow Pinot Noir.

Dramatic mountains.

Cold winters.

Warm summer days.

Cool nights.

Intense sunlight.

And extraordinary geological diversity.

The result can be Pinot Noir with tremendous fruit intensity while retaining the acidity and structure required for balance.

At its best, Central Otago Pinot can combine:

Cherry

Raspberry

Violet

Herbs

Spice

Minerality

with beautifully fine tannins.

Rocky Point fits beautifully into that mould.

A Brilliant Introduction to Prophet's Rock

This is where the value becomes particularly interesting.

Prophet's Rock produces some seriously ambitious Pinot Noir, including its flagship Home Vineyard Pinot Noir and the remarkable Cuvée Aux Antipodes, made in collaboration with former Domaine Comte Georges de Vogüé winemaker François Millet.

Those wines show just how high Prophet's Rock can go.

Rocky Point gives you an opportunity to explore the producer's style at:

RRP $52.

And it isn't some throwaway entry-level wine.

It's hand-picked.

Wild fermented.

French-oak matured.

Primarily sourced from an extraordinary steep, schist-driven vineyard.

There's a hell of a lot of serious Pinot Noir here for the money.

Food Pairings

This style of Pinot Noir is incredibly versatile.

Try it with:

• Roast duck

• Duck breast

• Roast chicken

• Pork belly

• Lamb

• Venison

• Mushroom risotto

• Wild mushroom pasta

• Salmon

• Charcuterie

• Soft cheeses

And don't serve it too warm.

Give it 15–20 minutes in the fridge before opening.

That will really make the perfume and red-fruit freshness sing.

Cellaring

The 2023 is designed to be approachable while young, but it has enough structure and tannin to develop further.

Drink now through 2032+.

Right now, you'll see the vibrant red fruits, florals and spice.

With bottle age, expect more:

Forest floor

Dried herbs

Earth

Dried flowers

Savoury spice

while the tannins become increasingly silky.

But don't feel you need to wait.

This is seriously delicious Pinot Noir right now.

Why We Love It

Because this gives you a genuine taste of serious Central Otago Pinot Noir without the serious price tag.

Look at what you're getting:

2023 Vintage

Central Otago

Predominantly Rocky Point Vineyard

Steep North-Facing Slopes

Schist Soils

Hand-Picked Fruit

Wild Fermentation

10 Months French Oak

And:

RRP $52

From the same producer responsible for some of Central Otago's most ambitious and collectible Pinot Noirs.

2023 PROPHET'S ROCK ROCKY POINT PINOT NOIR

Central Otago, New Zealand

NEW RELEASE | RRP $52

Perfumed. Silky. Mineral. Elegant.

If you love great Pinot Noir from Mornington Peninsula, Yarra Valley, Tasmania or Burgundy, this is absolutely worth exploring.

SERIOUS CENTRAL OTAGO PINOT NOIR WITHOUT THE $100+ PRICE TAG.

👉 At $52, Rocky Point is a brilliant introduction to Prophet's Rock and one of those Pinot Noirs that delivers far more seriousness than its price suggests.