2023 Prophet's Rock Dry Riesling, Central Otago

Ripe and honeyed yet elegant, this is a concentrated, off-dry riesling with tangelo and sweet apple flavours, verging on the exotically tropical with mango appearing on the finish. The rounded, almost creamy texture is brought into sharp focus by the bracing acidity underneath, allowing hints of baking spice and grainy pear-like phenolics to take hold on towards the back. It finishes drier than it starts, with a long life ahead 10 Dec 2025 Drink 2025–2037

95 points Stephen Wong MW for The Real Review

Among New Zealand's most admired winemakers, Paul Pujol has built Prophet's Rock into one of Central Otago's benchmark estates through a relentless focus on site, balance and precision. While the winery is celebrated for its Pinot Noir, the Dry Riesling has quietly become one of Paul's finest achievements, earning a devoted following for its purity, intensity and remarkable ability to age.

The fruit is sourced from the estate's Bendigo vineyards, where warm sunshine, cool alpine nights and ancient schist soils create ideal conditions for Riesling. Slow ripening preserves vibrant natural acidity while allowing exceptional flavour development, resulting in a wine that is both beautifully expressive in its youth and capable of evolving for many years.

The colour is a brilliant pale straw with green highlights. Aromas of lime blossom, green apple and white peach are complemented by jasmine, crushed stone and a hint of citrus zest. The palate is taut yet beautifully textured, combining vibrant citrus and orchard fruit with crystalline acidity and a fine mineral thread. The finish is long, dry and precise, lingering with impressive purity and freshness.

An outstanding partner for freshly shucked oysters, grilled King George whiting, sushi, Thai seafood dishes or goat's cheese tart. Delicious now for its youthful energy, yet destined to reward patient cellaring for a decade or more.