2022 Man O' War Valhalla Chardonnay, Waiheke Island

A super inviting bouquet of brioche and baked goods, ripe yellow peach and baked apple, Brazil-nut and spice. Full-bodied and dry, there’s a light creamy texture then impacts from the fruit and fine tannins, acidity and smoky oak. Well made and rather delicious with best drinking from day of purchase through 2030.

95 points Cameron Douglas MS camdouglas.com

Man O' War Valhalla Chardonnay is a commanding, barrel-fermented white wine that channels the wild beauty of Waiheke Island’s coastal vineyards. The Valhalla cuvée is named after the majestic Norse hall of heroes, and true to its name, this wine is a bold, expressive Chardonnay with serious depth, structure and flair.

Grown on steep volcanic hillsides overlooking the Pacific Ocean, the fruit enjoys long sunlight hours moderated by maritime breezes. These conditions, along with Waiheke’s iron-rich clay and volcanic soils, contribute to the wine’s distinctive mineral backbone and saline edge.

Winemaker Duncan McTavish lets nature lead the way. Hand-harvested fruit is whole bunch pressed and fermented with wild yeasts in French oak puncheons, including a generous portion of new oak. The wine undergoes full malolactic fermentation and is stirred on lees for several months to build creamy texture and savoury complexity.

Aromatically, it delivers flinty struck match, roasted cashew, grilled nectarine and lemon curd. The palate is rich yet taut, unfolding layers of stone fruit, almond skin, vanilla and subtle smoke, all wrapped in bright acid and a long, briny finish.

This is not your lean, citrus-only Chardonnay. Valhalla is unashamedly opulent and powerful, yet keeps its poise thanks to Waiheke’s cool coastal influence. It can cellar beautifully for 5 to 8 years, evolving into something deeply layered and rewarding.

Pair it with lobster, pork belly, or roasted chicken with preserved lemon.