Askerne - Syrah, Hawke's Bay - 2016 (750ml)

Wine Composition

100% Syrah

Winemakers Comments

The fruit for this wine was picked and destemmed then cold soaked for around 5 days prior to fermentation with wild yeast. The wine was then aged in French oak barrels for 20 months, 40 % new.

Awards

Michael Cooper | 4 stars

Tasting Notes

Deep red with purple hues. Fruit aromas of blackberry and violet with an undercurrent of savoury characters reminiscent of soy or mushroom. The palate is mid weight with a lovely fruit concentration and vibrancy on the finish. Fine powdery tannins complete the structural profile.

Awards

Technical Analysis

Alcohol Percentage

13%

TA

5.48 g/l

pH

3.73

Cellar Techniques

50 % of the fruit for this Syrah was grown on the lower terrace of Askerne Vineyard with the balance coming from Bridge Pa.  It was aged for 20 months in French oak barriques (20 % new). The fruit was cold soaked for five days and fermented with wild yeasts.

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.