ASTROLABE PINOT GRIS 2021

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 (2021 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."

Rated Excellent & 93/100 Cameron Douglas MS, December 2021 (2020 Vintage)
"Ripe and varietal, some pungency and power underpin a mineral and fruit centric bouquet. Aromas and flavours of brown and green pear, baked apple and quince. There’s a saline and lemon quality accentuated by acidity and freshness. White spice and quince, citrus and red apple, a whisper of honeysuckle and finely textured mouthfeel. Balanced, well made and ready to drink from 2022 through 2025+."

4 ½ Stars Michael Cooper (2021 Vintage)
"The 2021 vintage was grown in the Awatere Valley (83 per cent), at Kekerengu (15 per cent), and in the Waihopai Valley (2 per cent). Mostly hand-picked, it is a bright, light lemon/green, full-bodied wine, with peachy, citrusy, slightly spicy flavours, fresh and strong, balanced acidity and a dry (3.1 grams/litre of residual sugar) finish. A lively, youthful wine, it should break into full stride mid-2023+."