2022 Man O' War Dreadnought Waiheke Syrah

"The 2022 Dreadnought continues our classical, restrained approach to Syrah, focussing on preserving site character and varietal purity. Fruit was hand-harvested from our steep hillside vineyards on Waiheke’s eastern reaches. Bunches were mostly de-stemmed, with a small portion of whole clusters retained to enhance aromatic lift and texture along with some 100% whole bunch components for further complexity in the blend. Fermentations were conducted in open-top vessels with gentle pump overs to extract fine tannin and structure, without overworking the must. Indigenous yeasts were used in our natural approach to red winemaking. Following pressing, the wine was transferred to both seasoned and new French oak puncheons, where it completed malolactic fermentation and matured undisturbed for 18 months. Dreadnought was then blended and held in tank for a further 3 months prior to bottling."

"Wood smoke and sweet spices, dark berries and black currant, earthy and new with fresh French oak sweet scents and a positive reductive complexity. Even better on the palate with precise flavours of raspberry and black currant , the tannins and acidity accentuate frame the core fruit with a youthful palate squeeze and unctuous salivating effect. Lengthy, youthful and delicious."

"Big, ripe and complex red with pleasing purity and impressive power that is clearly the product of a favourable vintage. It has drinkability although it is a wine that will certainly repay keeping."