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 was lightly pressed with minimal skin contact. The clear, cold-settled juice was fermented in stainless steel vats at low temperature allow 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.

“Lots of lemon and lime skin with some lemongrass and crushed cement. Medium body, good density and plenty of flavor with a creamy texture and a crisp finish. Solid sauvignon. Drink now. Screw cap.”
91 points, James Suckling, January 2024

“The 2023 Sauvignon Blanc Marlborough is a richly flavored, textured expression. Sourced from eight different vineyards across the Marlborough region, with the majority in the cooler, windier areas of the Awatere Valley and Kekerengu, the wine focuses on the greener spectrum of the variety, particularly sweet gooseberry and elderflower fruit. While many Sauvignon Blancs can be accused of lacking texture, some of the sites are on clay, which may explain the rounder, more succulent mouthfeel. Or perhaps it’s the warm autumn that made the difference here. Whatever it is, it’s an interesting and attractive, lightly structured Sauvignon Blanc that offers something for everyone.”
90 points, Rebecca Gibb, Vinous, April 2024