The 2021 Ironclad is ripe and generous in style, which can be attributed to the very ripe Cabernet Franc from Ponui Island, making up 40% of the blend. Harvest on Ponui is dictated by the tide, and the fruit often becomes incredibly ripe while retaining its integrity and varietal character.
The bold flavors are balanced with firm tannins that extend the finish, and, along with the natural vibrancy of the Petit Verdot, provide balance to the richness. The 2021 vintage is a hedonistic wine that appears fruit-forward and rich, yet reveals layers of complexity as you journey through the bottle. These layers of aroma, flavor, and structure—acidity, warmth, tannin, and a paradoxical freshness—ebb and flow throughout the tasting experience.
This is a wine that will cellar incredibly well, offering dark black and red berry fruits, graphite, new leather, smoke, spice, and a hint of sea air.
The bold flavors are balanced with firm tannins that extend the finish, and, along with the natural vibrancy of the Petit Verdot, provide balance to the richness. The 2021 vintage is a hedonistic wine that appears fruit-forward and rich, yet reveals layers of complexity as you journey through the bottle. These layers of aroma, flavor, and structure—acidity, warmth, tannin, and a paradoxical freshness—ebb and flow throughout the tasting experience.
This is a wine that will cellar incredibly well, offering dark black and red berry fruits, graphite, new leather, smoke, spice, and a hint of sea air.
Vintage 2021 was exceptional, with moderate crops benefiting from long periods of dry weather and occasional rainfall that kept the vine canopy in good condition for a prolonged ripening into late autumn. As always, the vineyards are dry-farmed, hand-harvested, and each parcel is fermented and aged separately for an extended period—30 days in vat and 2 years in barrel.
Winemaker: Duncan McTavish
Winemaker: Duncan McTavish
The Man O’ War story begins with a special piece of land rich in history. Located at the eastern end of Waiheke Island, Man O’ War is a stunning array of coastal hillsides with high cliffs and pristine beaches forming a ruggedly beautiful coastline.
It was along this coastline that Captain James Cook came to anchor during his first voyage around the islands of New Zealand in 1769. Upon sighting the ancient stands of magnificent Kauri trees ashore, Cook noted in his journals that they would make ideal masts for the Man O’ War warships of the Royal Navy. Thus the name Man O’ War was bestowed upon this unique land.
It was along this coastline that Captain James Cook came to anchor during his first voyage around the islands of New Zealand in 1769. Upon sighting the ancient stands of magnificent Kauri trees ashore, Cook noted in his journals that they would make ideal masts for the Man O’ War warships of the Royal Navy. Thus the name Man O’ War was bestowed upon this unique land.
