Hand-picked from the sandy silt soils of the lower terrace on the Askerne vineyard in Hawke’s Bay, it was awarded a Gold Medal at the New Zealand International Wine Show in 2026. A lighter shade of silvery-green in the glass, with a glint of deeper yellow at the edges. An effusive perfume is ripe and bold, with white peach, grapefruit, pineapple, almond, tarragon and apple pie. Poise and focus into the palate, where an acid tension keeps the ripeness from running away with your tastebuds. Mid-palate sees some spicy notes of oak add more spine but also depth and weight – the wine growing in power as you progress. The finish has a nice citrus pith drying tartness to it. 94pts
Askerne Reserve Chardonnay 2025
