Astrolabe Taihoa Sauvignon Blanc 2024

Astrolabe Taihoa Sauvignon Blanc is a powerful, highly textural take on Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc from the remote Kēkerengū Coast. Guava, papaya and lime rind lead into melon, green peach and limoncello, with light leesy complexity and a tight mineral line shaping the concentrated palate. Hand-picked fruit, wild fermentation and old oak move it well beyond a simple fruit-forward style, while crisp acidity keeps the finish focused and energetic. Made from a low-cropping, sea-influenced vineyard with fragmented limestone in its soils, this is built to gain further roundness and complexity in bottle. Pour it with oysters, smoked eel or chicken and tarragon pie.

What the winery says:

The 2024 wine is made entirely from Sauvignon Blanc grown by the Trolove family at Taihoa Vineyard on Marlborough's Kēkerengū Coast. The vines grow in free-draining stony, silty loam with fragmented limestone. Following a warm, particularly dry season, the low crop was hand-picked on 8 and 9 April. Whole clusters were pressed, with only the cuvée juice retained for wild fermentation in old barrels. Fermentation on light grape solids and restrained stirring added texture and complexity while preserving a racy, crisp structure. The wine is vegan and certified under Sustainable Winegrowing New Zealand.

What the experts say:

Cameron Douglas MS, 94/100 & Excellent (2024 Vintage)
“A complex and inviting bouquet of peach and citrus, barrel spices and leesy complexities.”

Bob Campbell MW, The Real Review, 95/100 (2023 Vintage)
“Deliciously nutty sauvignon that retains strong varietal character despite oak and yeast lees influence.”