Astrolabe Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc 2023

Aroma - Powerful gooseberry, white currant, red capsicum, passionfruit and lime peel aromas.

Palate - Medium-bodied, with strong flavours of makrut lime, passionfruit, lemongrass and a refreshingly smooth, dry and persistent finish.

Climate: After a wet winter, spring was drier and warmer than normal, but regular rain events kept vines growing and in good health. Budburst was very good, and bunch numbers per vine were ahead of the long-term average. Through late spring and summer wet and humid conditions prevailed, and the outlook was for a difficult harvest period with high fungal disease potential. Late summer and autumn were very good, with sunny and dry weather that helped the harvest come through in very good condition and about a week later than recent seasons. Soils: Free-draining stony, silty loam, with some vineyards having clay or limestone content.

WINEMAKING The fruit was machine harvested in cool evening conditions, de-stemmed and lightly pressed with minimal skin contact. Clear, cold-settled juice was fermented in stainless steel vats at low temperatures, using neutral wine yeast strains to allow the powerful fruit flavours to dominate.