In New Zealand’s largest wine-producing region, surrounded by a sea of Sauvignon Blanc vineyards owned by corporate wineries, Astrolabe stands strong as an independent, family-owned producer of stunning wines. The Waghorn family should be proud of their success: seven consecutive vintages of 90+ scores from Wine Spectator earned through perseverance and skill.

This wine is made solely from Sauvignon Blanc and comes from growers in Marlborough’s Awatere, Waihopai, Wairau, and Brancott Valleys. The fruit is lightly pressed with minimal skin contact. The clear, cold-settled juice is fermented in stainless steel vats at low temperatures allowing the powerful fruit flavours to dominate.

This is a stunning example of the modern Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc style. It is impressively balanced with a ripe bouquet of elderflower, gooseberry, and passionfruit. The palate is broad and lush; those elderflower and gooseberry notes are perfectly matched by an almost Loire-like flinty acidity.

“The classy 2021 vintage (5*) was grown in the Awatere Valley (49 per cent), Kekerengu (21 per cent), the Southern Valleys (21 per cent) and the Wairau Valley (9 per cent). Very fresh and weighty, it has lifted, herbaceous aromas and vibrant, penetrating flavours of melons, limes and green capsicums, appetisingly crisp, fully dry and sustained.” 5*, Michael Cooper’s Buyer’s Guide, Aug 21