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Buy OnlineWinery notes (2022 Vintage)
"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.
A commanding expression of Syrah from a near-perfect Waiheke vintage, the 2022 Dreadnought retains the signature tension and poise of previous years, while 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’s 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. There’s a mineral salinity that 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 2022 Dreadnought is a masterclass in elegance and precision, a true expression of cool-climate coastal Syrah."
Reviews for the 2021 vintage below…
Rated Outstanding & 95/100 Cameron Douglas MS, November 2024
"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. Best drinking from day of purchase through 2032."
94/100 JamesSuckling.com (2021 Vintage)
"Complex aromas of dark berries, dried meat, sandalwood and cloves follow through to a full body with juicy fruit and polished tannins. Long and persistent, with complexity and layers. I like the fine velvet texture. Drink or hold. Screw cap."
92/100 Erin Larkin, RobertParker.com, January 2025 (2021 Vintage)
"The 2021 Dreadnought leads with resinous black berries, arnica/licorice, pressed flowers and lilacs. In the mouth, the wine is powerful, structural and firm with an abundance of tannin, and it has cool mineral acidity through the finish, with blueberry and blackberry to close. It's a substantial wine but somehow not weighty."
