2022 Prophet's Rock Cuvee Aux Antipodes Blanc Chardonnay 750ml

This Chardonnay is a collaboration between Prophet’s Rock winemaker Paul Pujol and esteemed French winemaker François Millet from Chambolle-Musigny, Burgundy. Former winemaker at Comte George de Vogüé for 35 vintages, François continues to make wine in Burgundy with his family under ‘François Millet et Filsâ€?and with us in New Zealand.

The grapes were sourced from the small one hectare Chardonnay block on our Kopuwai Delta vineyard, located in the Pisa sub-region of Central Otago. This site has a mix of glacial and alluvial soil. Meticulous viticulture and the site’s low-elevation help to ensure full ripeness and concentration. Cellaring will reward collectors over the next 10+ years from vintage.

Winemaker’s Notes

“This wine is the reflect of the Clutha River flowing just below, mineral, transparent and luminous. There is nothing exotic, “artificialâ€?or “made upâ€?about the expression of this wine. That shows again the link between what is emanating from the land, the feeling you have from it and the expression of the wines.â€?â€?François Millet.

All elements of the winemaking are directed by François who has formed a consistent approach to this parcel since 2018.

A strong focus on viticulture is the foundation of the winemaking approach. Yields are consistently managed to 25-30hl/ha or approximately 3.5-4ton/ha.

The handpicked fruit is whole-bunch pressed and fermented in barrel using only indigenous ‘wildâ€?yeast. The wine then spends 17 months in barrel (16% new) and undergoes indigenous malolactic fermentation. The wine is bottled unfiltered under Diam cork.

Decant for full expression in its youth and cellar with confidence for 10+ years from vintage. 

…One of the more profound Chardonnays I’ve tasted from Central Otago.
-Joe Czerwinski, 95 points for The Wine Advocate

The Antipodes Chardonnay bursts forth with what I see as the region’s characteristic acid signature â€?like a high wattage light bulb with a diffusing lens, incredibly bright with softened edges. While the wine is still incredibly young, its fineness is apparent with a lovely sense of transparency and restraint, flavours of both citrus and white stone fruits, with just a hint of biscuit and very lightly framed with spice. There is a pleasing texture and mouthfeel, plenty of mid-palate density without even a hint of heaviness, and a lot of length. This wine of nuance will surely develop further with time in bottle. Allow aeration and time to taste.
-Elaine Chukan Brown, JancisRobinson.com

Totally captivating bouquet, exotic spices, elegance and finesse. Both the nose and palate offer a pure fruit attack with white peach and pear then apple and white flowers, very fragrant. A soft salty mineral layer adds texture, depth and complexity �and reflects the wild ferment technique. Satin through silk and fine creamy texture, fine tannins, long finish. Drink now and through 2024. If Chardonnay were shoes �this would be in the Louboutin section!
-Cameron Douglas, 98 Points