Waiheke Island
2019
Dreadnought Syrah
Tasting Notes
If you know Dreadnought then this is a pretty classic edition, gifted in the savoury elements with blue and black fruits, crushed flowers, graphite, a touch of liquorice and an earthy smoky lift. The palate is very classical with medium weight. Some sweet fruit will be evident in its youth but there is a long lean frame underneath. The tannins are influenced by stem inclusion which gives a fresh sappy introduction to the more robust seed and oak tannin. An excellent vintage and a wine to treasure.
Download Tasting Notes
Winemaking
Vintage 2019 was exceptional with a perfect fruit set in the Spring followed by a hot settled summer and practically no rain during the harvest months.
Our Dreadnought Syrah comes from steep hillside vineyards and is carefully hand harvested before delivery to the winery. Each bin is weighed separately and assigned a fermenter with all blocks kept separate and some divided into different whole bunch treatments.
After a period of gentle pump overs prior to ferment the wild yeasts kick off and fermentation begins. The wines are pumped over or plunged twice a day depending on what stage of fermention they are and then once complete we revert back to gentle pump overs once a day until ready to press, generally after 35 days in vat. The wines are racked once to a blend after 22 months in barrel in preparation for bottling.
Reviews and Accolades
Decanter, Christine Marsiglio, Master of Wine - 96pts, "Powdery tannins with hints of tar alongside black sherry tart. Cured meats with fresh peppercorn on the palate, and a very savoury finish."
Bob Campbell, Master of Wine - 95 Points, "A rich, warming wine with blackcurrant, blackberry, dark cherry and plum flavours plus a suggestion of spice/anise and oak flavours. Although it is accessible when first released it will develop well with bottle age."
Cameron Douglas, Master Sommelier - 94 Points, "Ripe, varietal, smoky and complex. A complete wine with a core of baked raspberry and soft black curant fruits laced with dusty pepper spice. There’s a wood smoke quality with cinnamon and baking spices adding complexity and charm."
