Prophet's Rock RETROSPECT Pinot Noir 2019

The Retrospect Pinot Noir is Prophets Rock’s rarest release, sourced from a single parcel of their Home Vineyard in the Bendigo subregion. Planted between 1999–2001 on a steep glacial terrace at 320–390m elevation, this site sits on ancient soils more than 650,000 years old. A distinctive chalk seam lies just 50cm below the clay surface, imparting perfumed aromatics and chalky tannins unique to this parcel.

Since its inaugural release in 2010, Retrospect has been made only from this block. Certified organic (Biogro since 2018), yields are tightly controlled at ~4 tonnes/ha to maximise fruit concentration.

Winemaking
Hand-harvested fruit (Clone 5) was destemmed and fermented with indigenous yeasts in small open-top fermenters. In line with Prophets Rock’s philosophy of minimal extraction, the must was only hand-plunged once across the entire fermentation. The wine then matured for 17 months in French oak (30–35% new), underwent natural malolactic, and was bottled unfined and unfiltered on 12 November 2019. After cellaring at the estate, it was released in 2024—five years after vintage—to ensure optimal balance and complexity.

Tasting Note
A wine of remarkable purity and elegance. Dark cherries, cedar, potpourri, terra cotta, and graphite frame the nose. The palate is seamless and expansive, layered with damson plum, chalk, dried herbs, flint, and wet bark. Fine tannins and bright acidity carry the wine through a long, mineral finish.

Small-Batch Detail

• Region: Bendigo, Central Otago

• Vineyard: Single parcel, Home Vineyard (planted 1999–2001)

• Elevation: 320–390m | Soils: Clay over chalk seam

• Certification: Organic (Biogro 2018)

• Harvest: 15 March 2018

• Fermentation: 100% destemmed, indigenous yeast, one hand-plunge only

• Maturation: 17 months in French oak (30–35% new)

• Bottling: 12 November 2019 | Unfined, unfiltered | Diam closure

• Alcohol: 14.0%

• Production: 1,668 bottles, all hand-numbered & wax dipped

• Release: Minimum 5 years bottle age before release

Expert Review
⭐ 98 Points – James Suckling

“Incredibly pure and powerful with aromas of dark cherries, cedar, potpourri, terra cotta and lead pencil. The seamless palate has ultrafine tannins and focused acidity, giving complex notes of damson plums, chalk, dried herbs, flint and wet bark. Held back for five years before release. Truly exceptional. Drink or hold.”

Fine Pinot Note
One of Central Otago’s most sought-after single-parcel Pinots—tiny production, meticulously crafted, and aged before release. A wine of elegance, minerality, and longevity, best paired with venison, duck confit, or porcini risotto.

Central Otago, New Zealand

(Image source from Misha's vineyard, Central Otago)

Central Otago has quickly established itself as ground zero for Pinot Noir in New Zealand-in the words of Jancis Robinson, "many believe this is where the Pinot grail is to be found".