93 POINTS – IRONCLAD 2007
The 2007 Iconclad is where things start getting really interesting, a blend of 42% Cabernet Sauvignon, 38% Cabernet Franc and 20% Merlot, this has a compelling, brooding nose with notes of blackberry, cedar, creme de cassis and a touch of burnt match. The palate is full-bodied, opulent with thick chewy tannins – an imposing wine, ferociously backward but with great harmony and an almost Pomerol-like finish. Drink over 4-6 years.
90 POINTS – VALHALLA 2007
The 2007 Valhalla Chardonnay is better with more intensity on the nose, embellished with a little greengage, the palate quite extroverted and brash with honeyed overtones and a hint of petrol towards the finish. Drink over 2-3 years.
87 POINTS – MAN O’ WAR SAUVIGNON BLANC 2007
The 2007 Sauvignon Blanc has a nettle and cut grass nose that would benefit from greater definition, the palate with good fruit concentration, smooth texture and a hint of capsicum on the finish.
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92 POINTS – DREADNOUGHT 2007
The 2007 Dreadnought Syrah is cultivated on Man ‘O War’s most vertiginous vineyards with 13.5% alcohol. The nose reminded me of a great Chateau de Beaucastel: a little sweaty, a touch of brettanomyces but overflowing with character and charm. The palate is full-bodied, plush with great purity, that touch of sweatiness in the background simply adding to its complexity; a tannic finish with plum, black cherries and a touch of eau-de-vie. This is a wine that could have gone completely over-the-top but somehow they pull a superb, hedonistic but well-balanced Syrah out of the hat.
89 POINTS – MOW CHARDONNAY 2007
The 2007 Chardonnay has a fine grapefruit and candle wax-scented nose with a touch of butter and well-integrated oak, perhaps a little commercial in style but with a nice ripe finish of lemon, tangerine and a touch of honey.
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BEST BUYS & 96 POINTS
2007 Man O’War Ironclad Cabernet Sauvignon Cabernet Franc Merlot, Waiheke Island, NZ$45
This is the flagship red from a new and ambitious Waiheke winery that now boasts the island’s largest area of productive vineyard. In reality, the vineyard comprises 72 often very small sites scattered over a 2000-hectare property. Dark, dense and powerful red with an array of ripe berry and blackcurrant, cedar and black olive flavours. A classy cabernet blend that clearly has plenty of cellaring potential due to a backbone of firm, ripe tannins. Bob Campbell MW
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100 top new releases
2007 Man O’ War Syrah ~ “Concentrated, perfumed wine with Rhone-like floral, violet, white & black pepper and mixed red fruit flavours. Elegance on a grand scale: it’s perfectly structured with firm tannins.”
2007 Valhalla Chardonnay ~ “Big and complex Chardonnay with attractive mineral, nutty characters plus a generous influence of classy oak. Powerful, stylish wine that gives a nod in the direction of Burgundy.”
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