Nautilus Estate has been producing wine in Marlborough since 1985, putting it firmly on the map of New Zealand’s biggest wine region. With several vineyards in Marlborough valley, Nautilus has vines in all of the major sub-regions of Marlborough including the Wairau Valley, Southern Valleys and Awatere Valley.
In this interview from the vineyards, winemaker Clive Jones describes the differences between the Marlborough sub-regions and which grape varieties are best suited to each Marlborough sub-region (Wairau Valley, Southern Valleys and Awatere Valley).
Clive also discusses how Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc has evolved over the years and the different winemaking approaches to the variety you’ll find in wines today. He also discusses the other grape varieties of Marlborough and describes which, in his opinion, have the most potential in the future – including not only Pinot Noir but also Albariño.
There are some clips available below for all readers, however the full in-depth interview is for subscribers only:
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Nautilus wine tasting notes
All recommended wines are at the equivalent of at least 85 points. Wines with a 🌟 are considered Outstanding (or 95+ points, or 18.5+) I never write about bad wines 😉
Nautilus Vintage Rose 2015
This small-production vintage rosé is – unfortunately – only for the domestic market. Made with 100% Pinot Noir from the vineyard next to the winery, this bubbly has lovely red fruit and rose aromas with notes of biscuit and brioche adding complexity after 30 months on the lees.
Nautilus N/V Brut
This 75% Pinot Noir with 25% Chardonnay blend spends 36 months on the lees and 15% or so of reserve wine is added. The result is a lovely lees-y sparkling wine with notes of toast and pastry, as well as bright fruit aromas and a crisp but long finish. Top stuff and unsurprisingly this is a Fine Wines regular.
Nautilus Pinot Gris 2017
This comes from their Awatere vineyard set on a glacial river terrace at an altitude of 160m and some 30km from the coast. Clive believes the more extreme temperature ranges each year make it a good site for Pinot Gris, as the climate and wind naturally drop the yield and berry size. It is a very pretty Pinot Gris with white orchard fruit and blossom notes, and some richness from the time on the lees (about 6 months on the gross lees). On the palate, there’s a gravelly minerality with freshness and some mid-palate weight.
Nautilus Gruner Veltliner 2017
Nautilus planted Grüner in 2011 and now, after a few vintages, they are finding this to be a variety that works well in Marlborough. Apple, green melon and white pepper aromas are complimented by a fresh and bright acidity, with a slightly zesty finish.
Nautilus Albariño 2017
Nautilus started making Albariño in 2014, and this is a more tropical Albariño with blossom and apricot notes too. They crop it really low to get good concentration and the resulting wine has bright fruit aromas with a fresh finish, underpinned by acidity.
Nautilus Sauvignon Blanc 2017
This Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc is focused on texture rather than flamboyant aromatics (which can be a trapping of Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc). Stone fruit aromas and a mineral texture on the palate intermingle with zesty acidity and some voluptuousness from 4 months on the lees. Distinctive style of Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc.
The Paper Nautilus 2016 🌟
The Paper Nautilus has a distinctive, mineral-driven nose with lean acidity and gravelly texture. However the finish is long and becoming. Delicate aromatics of stone fruit and hazelnuts appear in your mouth a minute after you’ve swallowed it. This wine completely changed my perception of Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc, and it only costs £16 at the cellar door. Bargain.
Nautilus Chardonnay 2017
Nautilus has been making Chardonnay since 1989 from this Renwick vineyard, but the vines were replanted following phylloxera in the early 90s. It uses the 95 clone and the latest generation of Burgundy clones are on their way. This wine has lovely width and palate weight with some slightly nuttier characters. Bright and round.
Nautilus Southern Valleys Pinot Noir 2015
For Pinot Noir, Nautilus chased the clay soils in the Southern Valley in order to get softer tannins. The wine has seductive aromatics of bright berry fruit, roses and some more savoury notes with mountain herb freshness on the finish. A lively and juicy Pinot Noir with vibrant aromatics, a fresh and slightly spicy finish.
Nautilus Clay Hills Vineyard Pinot Noir 2015
An elegant, more ethereal style of Pinot Noir with floral notes, red berry notes and crunchy finish. There is both length and elegance with fine-grained tannins. Lovely.
Some shorter clips are available for non-subscribers on the terroir and wine regions of Marlborough, and this clip on the potential of Pinot Noir in Marlborough:
Read more on the Marlborough sub-regions and see interviews and perspectives from Wairau Valley, the Southern Valleys and Awatere Valley in our guide to Marlborough terroir.
