Founded in Central Otago, New Zealand, Prophet’s Rock is acclaimed for its dedication to purity, texture, and site transparency. Retrospect is the estate’s rarest and most contemplative release — a museum edition bottled only in outstanding vintages and cellared under perfect conditions before release. It captures the evolution of Prophet’s Rock’s flagship Home Vineyard Pinot Noir over time, offering a glimpse into how great Central Otago wines mature with grace and depth.
Vineyard
Sourced from the steep, north-facing slopes of Bendigo, the Home Vineyard is planted on schist and clay soils that yield fruit of exceptional concentration and balance. The site’s dramatic diurnal temperature swings create natural freshness, vibrant acidity, and finely structured tannins. These attributes give Retrospect its remarkable tension and longevity.
Winemaking
Crafted by winemaker Paul Pujol using traditional Burgundian methods — whole-bunch fermentation, gentle extraction, and extended maturation in French oak (about 30% new) — the wine was bottled unfined and unfiltered. After bottling, select vintages were held back in the Prophet’s Rock cellar to mature slowly and harmoniously before being released under the Retrospect label.
Vintage
The 2018 vintage in Central Otago delivered near-perfect growing conditions, with a long, dry season and balanced yields. The resulting fruit showed superb ripeness, purity, and aromatic lift — a vintage now revealing early signs of secondary complexity.
Tasting Notes
The 2018 Retrospect Pinot Noir displays a deep garnet hue with lifted aromas of red cherry, plum, and rose petal, underpinned by subtle spice, forest floor, and graphite minerality. The palate is supple yet focused — layers of ripe fruit, silky tannins, and savoury complexity unfolding into a long, graceful finish. A beautifully evolved expression that unites elegance, structure, and age-born nuance.
Technical Information
Region: Central Otago, New Zealand
Subregion: Bendigo
Variety: 100% Pinot Noir
Winemaker: Paul Pujol
Alcohol: ~13.5%
Maturation: 17 months in French oak (approx. 30% new)
Closure: Cork
Drinking Window: Now – 2032+
A Rare Museum Release
Retrospect stands as both a reflection and a revelation — showcasing Prophet’s Rock’s enduring philosophy of patience and precision. Available only in tiny quantities, this is a true collector’s Pinot Noir that captures the spirit of Central Otago at its most refined and expressive.
