ASKERNE CSM 2023

Winery notes (2023 Vintage)
"An intriguing blend with heady aromas of sweet vanillan spice, blackberries, subtle notes of tobacco, cardamom and black pepper. The palate is rich and flavoursome, with layers of dark berry fruits, and velvety vanillan tones. Fine tannins provide elegant structure, and its juicy concentration gives it a deliciously long finish.

The grapes for this wine were sourced from the lower terrace of the Askerne vineyard, across different soil profiles from sandy silt through to gravels, giving wonderful complexity to the individual parcels that make up the blend. Each batch was fermented as individual varieties followed by extended post maceration on skins to build richness. After pressing, the wines were settled and racked to oak barriques. Here they completed malolactic fermentation and were matured for 12 months before blending.  The final blend was made up of 76% Carménère, 12% Syrah, 11% Mourvèdre and 1% Malbec and with a 40% new oak component, and 40% second fill.

92/100 David Walker Bell, WineFolio.co.nz, June 2023 (2023 Vintage)
"From a single vineyard, it is a blend of a couple of rarer grapes – Carmenere and Mourvedre, plus Syrah. A dark ruby colour, with a tangy bouquet of raspberry, cherry and negroni. Smooth and sleek on the palate, with a few savoury edges, but I’m not getting much tannin, or oak, even. Just a lovely balm-like softness. This slips down too easily."

91/100 Sam Kim, Wine Orbit, July 2025 (2024 Vintage)
"Splendidly fruited and fragrant, the bouquet shows Black Doris plum, dark cherry, thyme, floral, and nutmeg aromas, leading to a succulent palate offering supple texture backed by polished tannins, making it sturdy and balanced with a pleasing dry finish. A blend of Carmenere, Syrah & Mourvèdre. At its best: now to 2029."

90/100 Cameron Douglas MS, July 2023 (2023 Vintage)
"Bright, fresh and youthful with a core of dried herb, tobacco and earthy qualities then red berries fruit of blackcurrant and plum, some blue fruit ideas then violet. There’s lots of youthful and energy. On the palate a wine of satin cream texture then core red fruit flavours that mirror the bouquet followed by dried herb and leafy qualities. As the wine opens out the flavour of milk chocolate begins to emerge adding another layer of flavour and style. Excellent tannin and acid structure, a plush and fleshy wine, well made, youthful and ready with best drinking from day of purchase through 2030."