Winestate Hawkes Bay Tastings Results
13 Jul
Askerne Hawke’s Bay Sauvignon Blanc 2020
Full of youthful vigour, this ripely scented, full-bodied wine has passionfruit and lime flavours, threaded with fresh acidity, and a crisp, dry, lingering finish. Best drinking 2022.
Full of youthful vigour, this ripely scented, full-bodied wine has passionfruit and lime flavours, threaded with fresh acidity, and a crisp, dry, lingering finish. Best drinking 2022.
4 Stars
Askerne Reserve Hawke’s Bay Chardonnay 2019
Already delicious, this powerful, generous wine was fermented and matured in French oak casks (44% new). Bright, light lemon/green, it is full-bodied and creamy-textured, with ripe stone-fruit flavours, seasoned with toasty oak, balanced acidity and a harmonious finish. Drink now or cellar.
Already delicious, this powerful, generous wine was fermented and matured in French oak casks (44% new). Bright, light lemon/green, it is full-bodied and creamy-textured, with ripe stone-fruit flavours, seasoned with toasty oak, balanced acidity and a harmonious finish. Drink now or cellar.
4½ stars
Askerne The Archer Hawke’s Bay Chardonnay 2019
Likely to be long-lived, this classy wine was hand-picked and fermented and matured in French oak barrels (28% new). Light lemon/green, with a fragrant, complex bouquet, it is mouthfilling, with deep, youthful, peachy, citrusy flavours, oak richness, a slightly creamy texture and a powerful finish. Best drinking 2023+
Likely to be long-lived, this classy wine was hand-picked and fermented and matured in French oak barrels (28% new). Light lemon/green, with a fragrant, complex bouquet, it is mouthfilling, with deep, youthful, peachy, citrusy flavours, oak richness, a slightly creamy texture and a powerful finish. Best drinking 2023+
5 stars
Askerne Hawke’s Bay Viognier 2020
Offering good value, this barrel-fermented wine is powerful, with rich, ripe, stone-fruit flavours, oak-derived complexity, gentle acidity and a slightly oily texture. Already drinking well, it should break into full stride mid-2022+
4½ stars
Askerne Hawke’s Bay Pinot Gris 2020
Already drinking well, this is a powerful, full-bodied young wine, attractively scented. Fleshy, with distinct overtones of Alsace, it has concentrated, ripe, stone-fruit and spice flavours, and a dryish, lasting finish.
Already drinking well, this is a powerful, full-bodied young wine, attractively scented. Fleshy, with distinct overtones of Alsace, it has concentrated, ripe, stone-fruit and spice flavours, and a dryish, lasting finish.
5 stars
Askerne Hawke’s Bay Gewürztraminer 2020
Attractively perfumed and weighty, this fleshy, strongly varietal wine is youthful and vibrantly fruity, with rich, peachy, well-spiced flavours and an off-dry, lengthy finish.
4½ stars
Askerne Hawke’s Bay Merlot/Malbec/Cabernet 2019
Showing plenty of personality, this merlot-based blend (67%) was matured in oak barrels (20% new). Full-coloured, it is mouthfilling and savoury, with very good concentration of plummy, spicy flavours, showing good complexity, and finely balanced tannins. Best drinking 2023+.
Showing plenty of personality, this merlot-based blend (67%) was matured in oak barrels (20% new). Full-coloured, it is mouthfilling and savoury, with very good concentration of plummy, spicy flavours, showing good complexity, and finely balanced tannins. Best drinking 2023+.
4½ stars
Askerne The Tere Hawke’s Bay Syrah 2019
Instantly appealing, this very graceful, youthful red was estate-grown and matured for 10 months in French oak barrels (30% new). Deeply coloured, it is fleshy, savoury and supple, with excellent flavour depth, vigour and harmony. Best drinking 2023+.
Instantly appealing, this very graceful, youthful red was estate-grown and matured for 10 months in French oak barrels (30% new). Deeply coloured, it is fleshy, savoury and supple, with excellent flavour depth, vigour and harmony. Best drinking 2023+.
5 stars