Astrolabe Comely Bank Vineyard, Waihopai Valley Pinot Noir 2020 $44 Plush, lithe and lengthy. These are hallmarks of the pinot noir which comes off Jeff and Vanessa Hammond’s Comelybank site near the confluence of the Waihopai and Wairau Rivers, where the Southern Valleys meet. Its handpicked fruit is wild-fermented, hand-plunged, and oak-matured to create an … Read More
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Astrolabe Wrekin Late Harvest Marlborough Chenin Blanc 2022
Astrolabe Wrekin Late Harvest Marlborough Chenin Blanc 2022 $32 From one of New Zealand’s premium chenin blanc vineyards comes this nectarine and yellow plum-packed sweetie that has an incredibly fresh core of citrus and hints of honeysuckle. I love how zesty and energetic this wine is, sweet but vibrant and beautifully balanced. Astrolabe
Astrolabe Kēkerengū Coast Pinot Gris 2022
Astrolabe Kēkerengū Coast Pinot Gris 2022 $27 Grown on one of the southernmost boundaries of what’s considered ‘Marlborough’, in the sea breeze-buffetted Sleepers Vineyard, this bone-dry, mineral-drenched style is awash with nashi and nutmeg notes, clean stonefruit characters and elegantly taut, tense complexity in the mouth. It has a lengthy, generous mouthfeel and bracing freshness. … Read More
Astrolabe Marlborough Pinot Gris 2022
Astrolabe Marlborough Pinot Gris 2022 $25 A really attractive and interesting style of gris here, snappy-fresh, fanging with poached pear, soft pepper and Golden Delicious apple notes on the nose and palate. Texture-wise it’s clean, dry and very nicely balanced. Hints of nutmeg and roast fennel sneak through on the finish too. Video Review here … Read More
Astrolabe Taihoa Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc 2021
Astrolabe Taihoa Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc 2021 $36 In Maori, ‘taihoa’ means to wait, to not be in a hurry, and the fruit from this vineyard has clearly been given the time and care it needs to create serious yum-factor. Winemaker Simon Waghorn wild – fermented Kēkerengū-grown fruit from the southernmost part of Marlborough in old, … Read More
Astrolabe Kēkerengū Coast Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc 2022
Astrolabe Kēkerengū Coast Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc 2022 $32 Super-juicy and laced with floral complexity, a slick of salinity and soft citrus rushing across the senses in every sip. Hints of apple and lime wrap around a core of subtle passionfruit and lemongrass. It’s a satisfyingly fresh and energetic sauvignon with plenty of personality and a … Read More
Astrolabe Awatere Valley Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc 2022
Astrolabe Awatere Valley Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc 2022 $23-$27 Boasting that unmistakable Awatere Valley florality, this sauvignon has a refreshing, peach blossom perfume, basil, soft passionfruit and a hint of lawn clippings on the nose and palate. Zesty textures and a clean, linear mouthfeel add buoyancy and complexity to its lime-laced finish. Nice one Astrolabe! Astrolabe … Read More
Astrolabe Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc 2022
Astrolabe Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc 2022 $26.99 Vibrant, lifted lemony layers leap up the nostrils and soak the palate in this vibrant, classically-styled sauvignon from one of Marlborough’s top producers. Soft, peachy tones merge with hints of basil and lemongrass on the finish. Cleansing and clean. Astrolabe
Astrolabe Marlborough Chenin Blanc Sec 2022
Astrolabe Marlborough Chenin Blanc Sec 2022 $25 We should all thank our lucky tonsils that Simon Waghorn chucked in a promising career in seaweed science to pursue winemaking instead. Otherwise, we’d not experience the floral, feisty intensity of this certified organic chenin blanc and that would be tragic. This sec (seck), chenin has a touch … Read More
Astrolabe Marlborough Pinot Noir 2018
Astrolabe Marlborough Pinot Noir 2018 $25 Astrolabe’s owner and winemaker Simon Waghorn once had the ambition to be a seaweed scientist. I know. Just think, if he’d pursued a life aquatic, we’d never have pinot noir like this. It’s ok, I’ll give you a second to compose yourself. This 2018 vintage shows exotic aromatics, ripe … Read More
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