2018 Man O' War Vineyards Ironclad

Community Tasting Notes (2) Avg Score: 92.5 points

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  7/16/2022 - Rote Kappelle Likes this wine: 92 Points

  Man o War by name and something of the same by nature. From the warmer aspects of Waiheke island this is a right bank Bordeaux blend with Cabernet Franc and Merlot dominant.
  
  Concentration of ruby and garnet colour is impressive and speaks of a bold wine. This is not contradicted by a potent nose of wine gum like black currant and sour plum along with earthy and iodine like elements and some alcohol heat.
  
  The palate is intense, long and firmly tannic, although the tannins are fine and ripe. Flavours are as per nose. This is a wine that gets better over two days opened and I would decant if I were opening for guests at this stage and give it two days before pouring. I think it will develop beautifully over the next 10 years and longer. Good value. It is very heavy and very 'umble. I am listening to Uriah Heep (not the AOR stuff post 1980) and Grand Funk Railroad. At this point in its life we are indeed on the Inside Looking Out but this wine will turn into Good Things (from the seriously under-rated album, Born to Die). Loving the whole combo.

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  7/8/2022 - Morgan1132 Likes this wine: 93 Points

  Great.
  
  Dark purple to red in the glass. Nose is quite closed and didn't open up much even with a few hours open.
  
  Extremely balanced palate. Also a bit closed but some lovely sweet plum, and blueberry. The texture is the winner. Still slightly sharp and youthful but the tannin is beautiful and soft and gives a rich and unctuous texture.
  
  Beautiful drop, on reflection opened a bit young. Needs a few years to develop and open up I think.

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