Man O’ War Dreadnought Syrah

“Fear god and dread nought” – an intimidating line to pull out next time you’re playing battleships. This was actually the motto of the HMS Dreadnought, launched in 1906, which at the time was the world’s most powerful battleship ever built!

From the steep hillside vineyards of Man O’ War on the eastern end of Waiheke Island, this impresses every year and fast becoming one of Aotearoa’s most iconic Syrah labels.

The 2023 release is here and despite a challenging vintage the MOW crew still crafted a Dreadnought worthy of its legendary reputation. “Vintage 2023 didn’t roll in like a gentle sea breeze. It arrived more like a tempest, rain, cloud, pressure, nerves. But Dreadnought has always liked a bit of weather, calm seas never made a great captain, and easy vintages rarely make the most interesting wines. This is a Syrah forged under tension.”

They go on to say “Shaped by a challenging vintage, Dreadnought 2023 captures the wild side of Waiheke Syrah. Savoury, smoky and saline, with dark fruits, cracked pepper and a mineral edge, it’s a wine of tension, precision and quiet confidence – built for the long haul.”

As always this is first class and a wine we’d highly recommend pairing with wild game dishes or a cut of fine Kiwi lamb.