Astrolabe Marlborough Pinot Gris 2024

Astrolabe Marlborough Pinot Gris is a crisp, finely textured Pinot Gris built around poached pear, quince, peach and citrus peel, with light spice and a subtle saline-mineral edge. The palate is just dry, with a small amount of residual sweetness balanced by fresh acidity and a delicate structure. Most of the fruit is hand-picked and whole-cluster pressed, while fermentation on light grape solids adds roundness without compromising its aromatic clarity. Led by Awatere Valley fruit, this is a precise, versatile Marlborough white that works particularly well with salmon, roast pork, creamy mushroom pasta or lightly spiced chicken.

What the winery says:

The 2024 blend comprises 75% Awatere Valley, 14% Kēkerengū Coast and 11% Southern Valleys Pinot Gris. Fruit was harvested between 13 March and 6 April, with the highest-quality free-run juice retained. Most came from hand-picked, whole-cluster pressed bunches and was cool-fermented on light grape solids to build texture and flavour complexity. The balance was machine harvested at night, cold settled and fermented at low temperature to preserve aromatic intensity. The wine contains 14% alcohol and 5.3 grams per litre of residual sugar. It is vegan, Appellation Marlborough Wine certified and produced under Sustainable Winegrowing New Zealand.

What the experts say:

Cameron Douglas MS, 93/100 & Excellent (2024 Vintage)
“Classic aromas and flavours of green pear and quince with a citrus tone and fine lees complexities.”

Erin Larkin, Wine Advocate, 92/100 (2024 Vintage)
“This 2024 Pinot Gris is concentrated and spicy, with loads of flavour and texture on the palate.”

Shanteh Wale, Halliday Wine Companion, 91/100 (2024 Vintage)
“Bartlett pear skin, lemon drop and freesia blooms.”

Stephen Wong MW, The Real Review, 91/100 & High Quality (2024 Vintage)
“Lovely balance in a light-weight, elegant and crisp package which will gain more complexity in the near-term.”