Astrolabe Southern Valleys Sauvignon Blanc 2024

Astrolabe Southern Valleys Sauvignon Blanc is a rich, textural single-vineyard Sauvignon Blanc that explores a more restrained side of Marlborough's signature variety. Elderflower, nashi pear and pineapple meet lemongrass, beeswax and subtle mineral notes, followed by lemon curd, orange and almond blossom across a weighty palate. Vibrant acidity keeps the wine focused, while extended maturation in oak and on fine lees builds roundness without making the wood flavour dominant. Made from young vines at Beacon Hill in the Waihopai Valley, it is designed to develop further in bottle. Serve lightly chilled with monkfish, crab or grilled halloumi.

What the winery says:

The Sauvignon Blanc was grown by the Hammond family at Beacon Hill Vineyard in Marlborough's Southern Valleys. The young vines were in their first productive year, growing on well-drained stony alluvium and older terrace loams. Fruit was hand-picked on 12 March 2024, whole-cluster pressed and limited to the cuvée juice, then fermented on solids. The wine spent nine months maturing in old oak puncheons, two months in a new large ovoid foudre and a further four months settling on fine lees in stainless steel. It contains 14% alcohol and 1.3 grams per litre of residual sugar. The wine is vegan and certified under Sustainable Winegrowing New Zealand.

What the experts say:

Cameron Douglas MS, 95/100 & Outstanding (2024 Vintage)
“An enticing, pure fruited bouquet with a complexity from mineral and sea spray ideas, cape gooseberry, peach and red apple flesh then citrus.”