Man O' War Vineyards
Valhalla Chardonnay 2024 750ml

A striking expression of coastal Waiheke.    The nose is tight and flinty, offering layers of struck match, white grapefruit, lemon pith, and crushed seashell. Subtle hints of orchard blossom and grilled peach sit beneath, wrapped in a cool, maritime lift.  On the palate, Valhalla is razor-sharp and direct, driven by citrus and green stone fruit over a firm spine of acidity. The lack of malolactic fermentation preserves clarity and tension, while the absence of lees work ensures a lean, chiselled texture. Oak provides quiet structure and nuance - a frame rather than a flavour. Long, saline, and refreshingly austere, the 2024 Valhalla is a cerebral Chardonnay precise, elemental, and unmistakably site-driven.