Marlborough's 2023 vintage had the potential to have gone wrong. However, according to Simon Waghorn, Winemaker at Astrolabe, it came out well.
"Every winemaker I've spoken to is pretty excited and a bit bemused," said Waghorn.
Waghorn added that despite the perils of a wet and cool spring and summer, harvest was magic, thanks mainly to a lingering harvest under optimal autumnal conditions.
"I think all the varieties have benefitted from more time on the vines and ripening later."
Booster Wine Group Chief Marlborough Winemaker Helen Morrison was also excited about the 2023 wines, harvested later than in recent years but closer to the classic vintage period.
"It was one of those vintages where patience was key," Morrison said in late April, days before the company's final handpick of a hillside of Cabernet Franc. It has meant that the grapes have nice flavours and ripeness while retaining acidity.
Wine Marlborough General Manager Marcus Pickens shared that the excellent vintage was the best way to celebrate 50 years of Marlborough's modern wine industry.
Pickens explained that in August 1973, Montana planted the first vines in Marlborough, setting the region on a journey of extraordinary transformation, making it synonymous with Sauvignon Blanc worldwide.
"Which is remarkable for a region that is so young in the wine world," revealed Pickens.
Furthermore, it was good news to know that the wines from 2023 will be such an excellent representation of what the region can do when it comes to Sauvignon Blanc, of course, but also with the other varieties Marlborough has built its reputation on.
Other winemakers commented, with Greywacke Winemaker Richelle Tyney stating that this year's fruit was beautiful. David Bullivant from Babich Wines shared that it was difficult to remember a harvest as balanced as this one.
Photos are provided by Jim Tannock
