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Man O’ War ‘Valhalla’ Waiheke Island Chardonnay 2016

Chardonnay from New Zealand – Northland & Auckland
Review Date - 18-Apr-2017

19-/20

Full, even, light golden-yellow colour with a lighter edge. The nose is full and softly voluminous with harmoniously layered aromas of white and yellow stonefruits entwined with an amalgam of savoury nutty and creamy barrel-ferment aroma along with flinty complexities. The aromatics build in depth and density with aeration, the complexities well-integrated. Medium-full bodied, the palate has a firm core, immediately opening with mouthfilling flavours of white and yellow stonefruits layered seamlessly with nutty notes and subtle gunflint and mineral notes. The mouthfeel balances creamy barrel-ferment textures with a fine phenolic-textured line, and fresh, lacy acidity. The wine has power and the palate flows to a long, lingering, fine-textured, dry, nutty finish. This is a firm and powerful Chardonnay with harmoniously mouthfilling flavours of stonefruits, nuts, flint and complexing minerals on a fine-textured palate. Match with poultry and pork dishes over the next 5-6 years. A selection of the finest barrels. Fruit from hilltop volcanic sites WBP, and from sheltered clay sites foot-stomped with skin contact, fully barrel-fermented by indigenous yeasts with high solids to 14.0% alc., the wine aged 10 months in 32% new French oak puncheons, avoiding MLF. 19.0-/20 Apr 2017 RRP $40.90

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Man O’ War ‘Estate’, Privateer’ and Flagship Releases
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