Astrolabe Pinot Gris is packed with Autumn fruits – baked pears especially with a hint of nougat. As with all Astrolabe wines, there is a touch of class here.
Winemaker notes (2022 Vintage)
"Aromas of citrus peel, poached pear and peach with light spice. This is a pure, crisp and dry wine with a fine minerality and delicacy of structure. Pear, quince and peach flavours dominate.
For my Marlborough Pinot Gris, I blend from sites across a wide range of the Marlborough winegrowing region. My blend centres on north and south bank Awatere, with fruit from the Wairau Valley and Kekerengu Coast complementing the intensely aromatic Awatere core. When crafting my blend, I pay close attention to the fill-in and layering of the different flavour spectrums and aromas.
I try to capture the sense of lovely poached pears, light stone fruit and bright red apple and follow through with a dry, mineral finish. Most of the grapes are hand-picked and delicately whole cluster pressed to add fine texture, weight and minerality. We machine harvest the balance of fruit at night to retain as much fruit freshness as possible. I use the most delicate press cycle to avoid the extraction of harsh phenolics and to retain fruit purity. The hand-picked portion is fermented on solids to add a delicate texture and enhance the spicy notes on the nose. The palate weight comes exclusively from the high solids ferment and fruit concentration."
92/100 Cameron Douglas MS, November 2022 (2022 Vintage)
"Aromas and flavours of green pears and red apple flesh, there’s nectarine and white spice layer, finely textured mouthfeel with a satin edge. Fresh and crisp, dry with flavours of tree fruits and white stone fruits and a citrus note. Balanced and well made, ready to drink and quite delicious. Best drinking from 2022 through 2024+"
4 Stars Michael Cooper (2022 Vintage)
"The youthful, pale lemon 2022 vintage was grown principally in the Awatere Valley. Mouthfilling, fresh and vibrantly fruity, it has strong, ripe pear, lychee and spice flavours, with a hint of peaches, and a dry, lingering finish. Best drinking mid-2023+."
90/100 Bob Campbell MW, The Real Review, October 2022 (2022 Vintage)
"Seamless, silken pinot gris with classic pear, apple and honeysuckle flavours. Made in an off-dry style with a dry and lingering finish with fine, peppery phenolics. Drink 2022 to 2026."