Tasting note
A commanding expression of Syrah from a near-perfect Waiheke vintage, the Dreadnought 2022 retains its signature tension and poise, pushing deeper into savoury complexity and structure. In the glass, it opens with lifted aromas of crushed black pepper, violet, charred herbs, and graphite, over a core of dark plum and wild blackberry. There is a sense of restrained power with the oak seamlessly integrated, offering subtle smoky edges and hints of cured meat, clove, and cedar. The palate is taut and finely structured, with a silken line of acidity carrying dark fruit through a framework of ripe, ferrous tannins. A mineral salinity anchors the wine in place with a nod to its coastal origins, while an echo of black olive and cracked pepper lingers long on the finish. Built for cellaring but compelling in its youth, the Dreadnought 2022 is a masterclass in elegance and precision, showcasing a true expression of cool-climate coastal Syrah.
Aromas and flavours
Reviews
Reviews for Man O' War Dreadnought Syrah 2022:
Dave Brookes
Halliday Wine Companion
I remember being blown away by this wine when I visited the winery on Waiheke around 18 years ago. Good to see it again and, man, it's still a ripper. Deep-set blackberry, black cherry and blood plum fruits with underlying hints of baking spices, graphite, cocoa powder, violets, roasting meats, peppercorn and blackcurrant. Intense and wonderfully structured with thick black fruits, black pepper, clove and licorice. This has fine-grained tannin grip, bright acidity and a harmonious, elegant exit.
James Suckling
JamesSuckling.com
This has a rich, meaty nose of plums, black pepper, smoke, bacon and a hint of mushrooms. Medium- to full-bodied, layered and compact, with a fleshy core of dark fruit and tense acidity. Savory and earthy finish. Sustainable. Drink or hold.
Additional information
Type: Red wine from New Zealand
Varietal: 100% Syrah
Food match: Match with roasted beef and venison, and slow-cooked lamb dishes or an aged cheddar, beetroot-infused dishes or red deer striploin with coal-baked beetroot and creamed horseradish.
Decanting: Recommended.
Vineyards: Madmans, 20 Tonner, Niko Face, Big North, Asylum, Goats, Garden Cove on Waiheke Island, New Zealand.
Vintage: Vintage 2022 presented a near-perfect growing season on Waiheke Island, resulting in a commanding expression of Syrah that balances structure, fruit concentration and coastal salinity.
Winemaking: Dreadnought continues a classical, restrained approach to Syrah, focusing on preserving site character and varietal purity. Fruit was hand-harvested from steep hillside vineyards on Waiheke's eastern reaches. Bunches were mostly de-stemmed, with a small portion of whole clusters retained for aromatic lift and texture, alongside 100% whole bunch components for added complexity. Fermentations were conducted in open-top vessels using indigenous yeasts, with gentle pump-overs to extract fine tannin without overworking the must. Following pressing, the wine was transferred to French oak barriques and puncheons for malolactic fermentation and matured undisturbed for 18 months, followed by 3 months in tank prior to bottling. Barrels: 33% New French oak; 67% seasoned.
Cellaring potential: until 2035+
Alcohol: 14.0% vol
Residual sugar: Dry (<1g/l)
Total acidity: 5.4 g/l
Bottle size: 0.75l
Notice: contains sulphites
Closure: Screwcap
Produced and bottled by: Man O' War Vineyards, PO Box 1287, Shortland Street, Auckland 1140, New Zealand
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