WINES OF MARLBOROUGH
BACKGROUND Astrolabe is a personal project for winemaker Simon Waghorn and his
wife, Jane. As founder, owner and winemaker, Simon Waghorn provides the clear vision
that underpins the quality of Astrolabe's wines. All Simon's skill and experience
combine to capture the essence of Marlborough in his wines. All grapes are sourced
from unique Marlborough sites, carefully chosen to add complexity and completeness in
the wines. Simon is fascinated by the distinctive qualities of the Marlborough
sub-regions, whether bottled alone or blended as part of the Marlborough classic.
THE WINES Astrolabe produces a range of wines that express the purity and intensity
of fruit flavours naturally afforded by the climate and soils of the Marlborough region.
The cool and dry climate, unique terrain and topography make Marlborough a
world-leading producer of aromatic white wines and Pinot Noir. Our grapes are grown
across a number of small vineyards throughout the region, from the Wairau Valley, the
Awatere Valley and the southerly Kekerengu Coast, to add diversity and depth to our
wines. We work with dedicated growers who understand the rhythms of the land and
know how to grow grapes that express the terroir. Each site was chosen for the
distinctive flavour it produces.
THE NAME An astrolabe is a navigational device whose name translates as 'star-taker'
and was used by navigators to determine latitude by the stars. The Astrolabe logo is
based on a motif of the and the Astrolabe logo hints at a stylisation of the device. As
well as being a navigational instrument, L'Astrolabe was the name of the ship of French
explorer Dumont d'Urville, who explored and charted the Marlborough coast in 1827.
Simon chose the name Astrolabe because of the historic ties with Marlborough, and he
liked the connotations of exploration and discovery.
astrolabewines.co.nz
ASTROLABE WINES ARE CRITICALLY ACCLAIMED AND ARE DISTRIBUTED AND ENJOYED WORLDWIDE.
CANNONBALL WINE COMPANY IS THE SOLE U.S. IMPORTER
Powerful gooseberry, white
currant, bell pepper,
passionfruit and lime peel
aromas. On the palate, it is
medium- to full-bodied,
with strong gooseberry,
passionfruit and currant
flavours, a hint of
freshly-cut red capsicum
and a refreshingly smooth,
lingering and crisp finish.
Astrolabe Province
Marlborough
Sauvignon Blanc
The Province Marlborough
Pinot Gris is a pure, crisp
wine with a fine minerality.
Aromas of pear and quince,
light peach and citrus rind,
a whiff of cardamom and
nougat.The palate is pure
and focussed with a
delicacy of structure,
finishing crisp and dry.
Stone fruit and pear
flavours dominate,
followed by some light
citrus.
Astrolabe Province
Marlborough
Pinot Gris
The grapes were
hand-picked and aged for
11 months in oak barrels.
Bright, deep garnet in
colour, with aromas of ripe
dark and red cherry and
brambly fruits. Savoury,
with a hint of smoky oak.
A full-bodied wine with
round, mouth-filling
flavours of plum, brambly
fruit and dark cherry. The
oak integrates with the
fruit and the silky and
linear tannin structure.
Astrolabe Province
Marlborough
Pinot Noir
Profoundly influenced by
the nearby sea, the long
growing season, combined
with limestone in the soil,
gives wines of restraint and
elegance. For texture, a
little wild barrel ferment
has been used. The
Kekerengu Sauvignon
Blanc has aromas of citrus
pith and zest, with a whiff
of honeysuckle, fennel and
tarragon.
A medium-bodied wine
with flinty, almost salty
notes and a dry finsh.
Astrolabe Valleys
Kekerengu Coast
Sauvignon Blanc
The Awatere Valley is cool
and windy and has lower
soil fertility than other
Marlborough valleys,
making intense wines that
are typically mineral in
structure. The Awatere
Sauvignon Blanc has very
focused aromas of white
currants, currant leaf,
jalapeño and herbs. A
linear and pure palate with
clean flavours of currants,
gooseberry and citrus,
finishing crisp and dry.
Astrolabe Valleys
Awatere Valley
Sauvignon Blanc
Hand-picked and
whole-bunch pressed fruit,
barrel-fermented using
wild yeast, retained solids
and lees-stirring. The wine
was then aged in French
oak barrels. The Taihoa
Sauvignon Blanc is
lemon-gold in colour, with
aromas of lime rind,
gooseberry and white
currant and interesting
leesy nuances. Focused
citrus and currant flavours
and a tight, mineral texture
on the palate.
Astrolabe Vineyards
Taihoa Vineyard
Sauvignon Blanc
The Astrolabe Wrekin
Vineyard Chenin Blanc is
made from grapes grown
on a loess clay slope. Pale
gold with a hint of green.
Aromas of apples,
honeysuckle and a little
vanilla from the oak.
Medium-bodied palate,
with a focused, minerally
length and flavours of crisp
apple, lemon and peach.
Astrolabe Vineyards
Wrekin® Vineyard
Chenin Blanc