Wine Composition
100% Chardonnay
Winemakers Comments
Apple pie, toasty oak hints, preserved lemon aromas with great body, texture, freshness and length, the 2018 Askerne Chardonnay was entirely barrel fermented and aged. 2018 was a great year for Chardonnay at Askerne and our Estate Chardonnay is testament to this. While this wine is best drunk in its youth, it will continue to develop for several years if well cellared. Can be enjoyed alone or with a wide variety of dishes and light meals.
Awards
New Zealand International Wine Show | 90 points
Technical Analysis
Alcohol Percentage
13.5%
RS
0 g/l
TA
8.4 g/l
pH
3.45
Cellar Techniques
The fruit for this wine is a blend of Mendoza, Clone 15, Clone 95 and Clone 6 Chardonnay, which was grown in the sandy silt soils of the lower terrace at Askerne Vineyard. The wine was fermented and aged for 9 months in predominantly French oak barrels. (28% new, 12% 1 year old). There was a mixture of inoculated and wild yeast. Lees stirring was undertaken to naturally preserve and add structure to this wine.
Winemaker
Name - Ant MacKenzie
Winery
The Askerne Estate Winery vineyard site comprises six different soils varying between river gravels, sandy soils, silt, and loams. The subsoils vary from gravels, red-metal, and clay. These various soils have been matched to particular varieties and also to produce complexity within varietal styles.
The site also has unique climatic attributes. It is forward of both the Haumoana hills and Havelock North hills and is close to the coast, benefiting from the moderating effect of the sea. It is a plains site receiving cooling winds from all directions including draughts from the adjoining Tuki Tuki river which laid down the various soils. These cooling effects are key contributors to the elegance and aromatics of our white wines.
The soils and climate provide a base, which is built on by a variety of clones and rootstocks within each variety to add further complexity. Our viticultural management reflects a meticulous approach to our philosophy that fine wine is made in the vineyard.
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