Prophet’s Rock

Prophet’s Rock Dry Riesling 2009 – Ned Goodwin MW Review : 94 Points

admin — Mon, 20 Feb 2012 22:56:53 +0000

A Brave Wine

An outstanding review of the Prophet’s Rock Dry Riesling 2009 from the recent Central Otago Pinot Celebration by Japan based MW Ned Goodwin. Also some interesting comments on white wines from Central Otago.

2009 Prophet’s Rock Riesling:

Citrus aromas underlain by complex quince and anise notes. Wonderful minerality here. Fantastic length. This Riesling is not at all acerbic and overly dry, but rich, layered and effortless; long and compelling. Great stuff! Crafted with judicious handling of both ripe fruit and phenolics, some lees handling and ambient yeast ferment.

A brave wine in the face of the tart reductive styles that abound. Indeed, wines such as this make me think that too few producers in Central Otago pay real attention to making distinctive white wines. While the effort to concentrate on crafting fine Pinot Noir is admirable, less whack-it-in-whack-it-out sort of simple reductive handling with grape varieties like Riesling, will surely reap rewards given the schistous, loess and rock formations of the territory. 94

Ned Goodwin MW (JP)

Japan’s sole Master of Wine, Ned Goodwin was born in London, raised in Australia, and educated in Tokyo and Paris. Ned’s wine path has encompassed work in restaurants, consulting, corporate wine buying, event coordination, and work in both print and television media. Between 1998-2001, before relocating to Japan, Ned was one of three sommeliers at Veritas restaurant in Manhattan. Twitter: @rednedwine

Metro Magazine – Top 100 Wines For Summer: Prophet’s Rock Scores Two!

admin — Wed, 14 Dec 2011 03:10:44 +0000

We are thrilled that an independent line-up of wine writers, sommeliers and restaurant owners chose to include both of our white wines in Metro’s Top 100 Wines For Summer. Here are the comments:

Prophet’s Rock Central Otago Pinot Gris 2010

Prophet’s Rock makes some of New Zealand’s most poised and elegant wines, and this is no exception; a lovely, delicate example of the variety, with restrained pear and apple aromas, backed up with a taut palate. Off-dry, but with a firm backbone that will stand up well to light dishes.

Prophet’s Rock Central Otago Dry Riesling 2009

Restraint is a hallmark of this wine, which features beautiful lime and honey aromas, citrus on the palate and a firm acid finish. Not completely dry, this is a tight and elegant wine, perfect with seafood and richer foods.

Michael Cooper’s 2012 Wine Guide – Prophet’s Rock Reviews

admin — Wed, 14 Dec 2011 02:04:00 +0000

The 20th Anniversary Edition of Michael Cooper’s Buyer’s Guide to New Zealand Wines 2012 has just been released. Prophet’s Rock has continued its great run of reviews from New Zealand’s most acclaimed wine writer.

That’s three vintages of Prophet’s Rock Pinot Noir in a row to receive a 5-Star rating from Michael Cooper. This is a testament to the hard work put in by the vineyard crew at Prophet’s Rock’s two estate vineyards. The reviews are copied below, the Guide and further information are available through Michael Cooper’s Website.

Prophet’s Rock Central Otago Pinot Noir

The 2009 vintage (5-Stars) was estate-grown at Bendigo, in the Cromwell Basin, hand-picked, fermented with indigenous yeasts, and matured for 18 months in French oak barriques (35 per cent new.) Ruby hued, it is sweet-fruited and supple, with moderately concentrated cherry and spice flavours, showing good, savoury complexity, and a deliciously soft texture. Drink now or cellar.

Prophet’s Rock Central Otago Dry Riesling

The 2009 vintage (4.5-Stars) was estate-grown and hand-picked at Pisa, fermented with indigenous yeasts and lees-aged. Still very youthful, it is highly scented, with citrusy, slightly appley and spicy flavours, gentle sweetness (9 grams/litre of residual sugar), and excellent purity, delicacy, harmony and length.

Prophet’s Rock Central Otago Pinot Gris

The 2010 vintage (4-Stars) was estate-grown and hand-picked at Bendigo, in the Cromwell Basin. Medium to full-bodied, with stonefruit and spice flavours, it’s a finely balanced, medium-dry wine (12 grams/litre of residual sugar) with very good depth, texture and harmony.

Rocky Point Central Otago Pinot Noir

From Prophet’s Rock, the youthful 2010 vintage (3.5-Stars) was estate-grown at Bendigo and matured in French oak casks (20 per cent new.) Deep and youthful in colour, it’s a fruit-driven style, packed with cherryish, plummy, slightly herbal flavour, fresh, strong and smooth.

NZ Herald – Rocky Point Punches Above Its Price Point!

admin — Tue, 13 Dec 2011 03:49:46 +0000

The Rocky Point Pinot Noir 2010 has done extremely well in the recent New Zealand Herald VIVA magazine. In the 7th of December, 2011 Issue – I’m dreaming of a wine Christmas, the Rocky Point received the following review:

Rocky Point Central Otago Pinot Noir 2010

This seriously good second label pinot from Prophet’s Rock displays more finesse than many wineries’ top examples, with rich, juicy morello cherry fruit seasoned with exotic spice and underpinned by some subtle toasty oak.

(From Fine Wine Delivery Company, Wine Direct, Wine Vault.)

Wine Orbit Reviews – All Prophet’s Rock wines score 90+ Points.

admin — Thu, 17 Nov 2011 01:39:08 +0000

We submitted a full range of the Prophet’s Rock and Rocky Point wines both past and present to New Zealand based wine reviewer Sam Kim, publisher of the independent monthly guide WineOrbit.

We were thrilled to receive the following reviews in which the entire range scored 90 points and above. You can read the reviews below or view a PDF version Prophet’s Rock Wine Orbit Reviews Oct 2011.

Consistently strong reviews like these are a testament to the hard work of the Prophet’s Rock vineyard team. The success of these wines rests on the foundation of outstanding viticulture and hard work by Regan, Helen and Leo.

WineOrbit

Your Ultimate New Zealand Wine Review

www.wineorbit.co.nz

Winery Name

Wine Name

Region

100 pts

5 Stars

Prophet’s Rock	Dry Riesling 2008	Central Otago	94	5
It is remarkable to think that Prophet’s Rock release their Rieslings almost two years after the harvest. Grapes (from their Pisa vineyard at a very low cropping of 4 to 5 t/ha), are always hand harvested, whole bunch pressed, settled briefly then put into old barrels for slow fermentation using indigenous yeasts which lasts around three months with the wine sitting on gross lees for 4 to 5 months. Then bottled and rested for a year before release. The Riesling carries around 8 g/l of residual sugar which is almost undetectable but provides subliminal sweetness to balance the bright acidity. This 2008 rendition is a superbly refined and focused expression of the variety displaying fresh apple, lime/lemon and floral characters with a hint of wet limestone. The palate is tight and juicy with a delicate mouthfeel and an impressive linear finish. Light-weight yet concentrated and shows great extract. At its best: 2014 to 2022. $28.00 11.2% Diam cork. Oct 2011.
Prophet’s Rock	Dry Riesling 2009	Central Otago	94-96	5
Tight and restrained, this youthful Riesling displays grapefruit, fresh apple and floral characters. The palate shows outstanding fruit weight and succulent mouthfeel leading to an extremely long silky, yet crisp finish. The wine has a long way to go before reaching its maturity but it does show gorgeous early appeal too. At its best: 2014 to 2025. $28.00 11.8% Diam cork. Oct 2011.
Prophet’s Rock	Dry Riesling 2010	Central Otago	95-97	5
From an exceptional vintage (excellent growing conditions, small bunches and small berries), this wine should become one of the great Central Otago Rieslings. The bouquet is delicately perfumed displaying floral, fresh apple and lemon zest with a hint of white peach. It’s pristine and focused on the palate with a juicy mouthfeel and excellent weight. The wine finishes taut and linear, and seems to go on forever. Amazing harmony and balance. At its best: 2016 to 2028. Diam cork. Oct 2011.
Prophet’s Rock	Pinot Gris 2008	Central Otago	93	5
These are finely expressed Pinot Gris showing Alsace-like texture and weight. Like their Riesling, Pinot Gris are cropped at low levels to ensure the wine’s concentration and mouthfeel. This 2008 is still youthful on the nose displaying ripe apple, stone fruit and a hint of mealy characters. The palate is ripe and rounded with whispering sweetness and perfectly pitched acidity, leading to an expansive long finish. At its best: now to 2018. Diam cork. Oct 2011.
Prophet’s Rock	Pinot Gris 2009	Central Otago	94	5
Beautifully perfumed on the nose displaying peach, floral and mango characters with subtle spice notes. It’s concentrated and full on the palate with silky texture and a lush mouthfeel. Lovely harmony and integration. Already approachable and delicious, it will also age gracefully too. At its best: 2012 to 2020. $32.00. 13.2% Diam cork. Oct 2011.
Prophet’s Rock	Pinot Gris 2010	Central Otago	94	5
Superbly ripe and lifted on the nose, this charming wine shows tropical fruit, peach, citrus and floral characters. The palate is concentrated and smooth with lovely roundness and intensity. The finish is extremely long and refreshing. Once again, the wine displays superb weight and firmness while remaining supple and silky. At its best: 2013 to 2020. Diam cork. Oct 2011.
Prophet’s Rock	Pinot Noir 2007	Central Otago	95	5
From a small cropping vintage in Central Otago, this also shows that concentration and presence combined with Prophet Rock’s typical elegance. The bouquet is fragrant and complex displaying game, spice, red/black cherry and floral characters. It’s finely textured on the palate with superb ripeness and generosity, leading to a long velvety finish. It’s opulent and powerful, yet firmly structured. At its beset: now to 2018. Diam cork. Oct 2011.

Prophet’s Rock	Pinot Noir 2009	Central Otago	95	5
Another engaging Pinot displaying perfumed aromas of red/black cherry, spice, game and mushroom. The palate is powerful and generous with excellent mid palate weight and an expansive finish. A multi-layered Pinot showing outstanding potential to develop. At its best: 2013 to 2020. $49.00 Diam cork. Oct 2011.
Rocky Point	Pinot Noir 2009	Central Otago	90	4.5
Lifted and fragrant on the nose showing red/black cherry, mushroom and floral notes. The palate is juicy and smooth with excellent fruit intensity and well balanced acidity. Very pleasing and appealing. At its best: now to 2015. Screw cap. Oct 2011.
Rocky Point	Pinot Noir 2010	Central Otago	93	5
This may be their second label but the 2010 offering is very impressive, displaying red/black cherry and floral characters with a hint of savoury notes. The palate is pristine and succulent with a lush mouthfeel and silky texture, then finishes firm and proper with beautifully pitched tannins. Very exciting. At its best: 2012 2018. $29.00. Screw cap. Oct 2011.

Another 5 Star review for Prophet’s Rock Pinot Gris!

admin — Tue, 05 Jul 2011 02:45:59 +0000

Try me and see what all the hype is about!

TiZwine.com recently conducted their annual Aromatics Tasting declaring our Prophet’s Rock Pinot Gris 2009 awarding it Five Stars. This is yet another in what is becoming a very long list of accolades for this wine.

From the website:

“Arguably only a Central Otago Pinot Gris could age this well. This is a seriously elegant wine with nashi pear aromas and lovely fresh pears in the palate. It also exhibits elements of citrus and minerality which add to the complexity and works well with the subdued acidity. Definite winner.”

The 2009 Pinot Gris was also awarded: Top Tip and Consumers Choice.

Read the full review here.

Paul’s 2011 Vintage Report for the UK Wine Society

admin — Fri, 17 Jun 2011 03:50:06 +0000

Our winemaker Paul Pujol has become a guest blogger for the UK Wine Society.

Read his somewhat offbeat report of the 2011 vintage in Central Otago

We are here.

Fantastic Wine-Pages.com Review of Prophet’s Rock Pinot Noir

admin — Fri, 17 Jun 2011 02:53:25 +0000

U.K. wine writer Tom Cannavan has been following the Prophet’s Rock wines for some time and recently published this review from a tasting at the Central Otago Pinot Noir Celebration in January, 2011.

Prophet’s Rock, Pinot Noir 2006

Big, sweet, cedary nose with lots of herbs and spices. The palate has loads of substance, with plenty of extract and spice and loads of firm, solid fruit. Big but delicious. 91/100.

Prophet’s Rock, Pinot Noir 2007

Lovely cedary complexity, masses of fruit and a little more finess than the 2006. Balanced and deliciously moreish on the palate, the fruit has a much more sinewy, elegantly muscular character and lovely length. 92/100.

Wine-pages.com is an online wine magazine that has been published by wine writer Tom Cannavan since 1995, making it one of the world’s pioneering wine sites.

For full tasting notes from his trip to Central Otago with features visit : www.wine-pages.com.

New Zealand Herald: A Year of Gorgeous Drops.

admin — Mon, 06 Jun 2011 01:15:40 +0000

Another awesome review for the Prophet's Rock Dry Riesling

We love Riesling and have a very special attachment to our little one hectare block at the Pisa Vineyard. We treat it the same as our top Pinot Noir in the vineyard and the results have been fantastic. Since it’s first release in 2006 the Prophet’s Rock Dry Riesling has consistently been one of the best reviewed Rieslings in the country.

This is the latest good press for the 2008. John Hawkesby selected it as one of his top 12 wines for the last year. Here is his review with a link to the full article below.

Wine: A year of gorgeous drops

By John Hawkesby

10:00 AM Friday Feb 25, 2011

RIESLING

2008 Prophets Rock Dry Riesling, $29 The grape variety that often confuses and annoys consumers because half the time they have no idea whether the wine is dry, bone-dry, sweet or somewhere in between. Thankfully, this Central Otago producer tells you what you are getting on the front label. And what you are getting here is a beauty from a 1ha site with oodles of flavour, texture and nuance. It is sophisticated and suave.

Prophet’s Rock Sponsors University of Canterbury School of Fine Arts

admin — Fri, 27 May 2011 02:14:14 +0000

Prophet’s Rock is proud to support the Universtiy of Centerbury School of Fine Arts in the launch of their new publication Millennium Falcon and the associated exhibition. The launch and opening takes place on Tuesday the 31st of May at 4.30pm, Ilam School of Fine Arts. See Invite below for further details, we’ll be there with our wines too – come along!

Excerpt from Millennium Falcon #1 – Editorial :

Student-produced publications of the Ilam School of Fine Arts form a vague sort of narrative disrupted by the comings and goings, the sporadic productivity of an institution inhabited for a short period of time. These artefacts bind together an unstable culture; the fleeting and chaotic internal movements of a place we claim as our own, until, perhaps terrifyingly, we are spat out into the ‘real world’; a small, insignificant part of some greater history.

History

The School of Fine Arts was established in 1882 as the Canterbury College School of Art. It is the longest established art school in New Zealand and one of the oldest in the English speaking world. Throughout its history many of New Zealand’s leading artists have either taught at the school or have been pupils.

Since 1957 Fine Arts has had full status as a University of Canterbury department. Art History was introduced as part of the School’s programme in 1974 and in 1982 the Bachelor of Fine Arts degree was introduced.