Twelve Bottles

“The 2023 world of wine included strong vintages, second acts, generational succession and
turnaround stories. The Top 100, our annual year-end snapshot, offers a reflection on the wines
that made the year special—from the traditional to the new wave, played out in regions across
the globe,” said Jeffery Lindenmuth, Executive Editor, Wine Spectator. “Our list is a broad
picture of the year in wine, and we’re thrilled to share our top picks, comprised of consistent
performers and new honorees.”

“It is absolutely brilliant to be recognised in the Wine Spectator Top 100 Wines of 2023, our
fourth time making the list. We’re so proud to have been included for two years in a row,
representing Marlborough in the Top 20 this year alongside the amazing team at Greywacke,
with Babich and Invivo also in the Top 30 wines. It’s great for our Marlborough wine industry to
be getting that consistent recognition across vintages as producers of some of the best wines in
the world. We think Marlborough is the best place to make exciting aromatic wine, and this wine
of ours is a true reflection of what Marlborough can deliver, blended from seven distinct growing
areas across the length and breadth of the province. It is a great affirmation of the dedicated
and passionate hard work of our growers, viticulturist, and winemaking team.” – Simon
Waghorn, Astrolabe Wines winemaker and co-owner.

2023 has already been an exciting year for the Waghorn family, who own and operate the fully-
independent Astrolabe Wines. The 2022 vintage was strong, second-generation winemaker
Arabella has just completed her viticulture and oenology studies at Lincoln University, and the
Astrolabe Small Town Winery, an urban winery and cellar door in the heart of Blenheim, is
nearing the completion of construction and will be ready for vintage 2024. “This amazing result
really caps off an awesome year for us” says Astrolabe co-owner and general manager Libby
Waghorn Levett.

Astrolabe is only the sixth New Zealand wine company to have been recognised in the top 20 of
the Wine Spectator Top 100, which has been published since 1988, joining Cloudy Bay,
Escarpment, Burn Cottage, Felton Road and Greywacke.

Through blind tastings performed by Wine Spectator’s editors, these 100 bottles were chosen
from over 9,200 wines. Selections are based on four criteria: quality (based on score), value
(based on price), availability (based on the number of cases made or imported into the U.S.)
and the “X-factor”—a compelling story and excitement behind the wine.

2022 Astrolabe Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc is availiable through Twelvebottles. Contact your Account Executive for more information or call us on 1300 232 844.