Editors notes
Winemaker Matt Thomson was one of the biggest names in Marlborough winemaking, thanks not just to his well-documented successes with Saint Clair, but also his 20+ years of extensive winemaking consulting for special Italian and other European producers. It's the vast bank of old and new world winemaking experience that's grown Matt into the exceptional winemaker he is today. Like Kevin Judd and James Healy before him, he's elected to go out on his own and make a mark like Greywacke or Dog Point with his new Blank Canvas label.
In the true expression of cool-climate Syrah, this wine exudes freshly cracked black pepper, crushed violets, red and black forest fruits and savoury smoky nuances. It has crunchy lifted acidity which carries the defined, fine-grain tannins and background of spicy, savoury oak.
This wine is about fragrance and texture, which is assisted by our pioneering co-fermentation technique with a small proportion of Gruner Veltliner skins as well as whole-cluster fermentation. The co-fermentation gives a white pepper spice quality to the flavour spectrum and intensifies and stabilises the brilliant purple hue of Syrah. The result is layers of complexity in flavour and tannins which will allow an intriguing long-term ageing potential.
Details
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Wine Type
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Variety
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Oak Type
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Light (Light)Full (Full)
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Low Tannin (Low Tannin)Tannic (Tannic)
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Sweet (Sweet)Dry (Dry)
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Low Acidity (Low Acidity)High Acidity (High Acidity)
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Aroma
- Earthy
- Herbal
- Red Fruits
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Palate
- Cedar
- Red Cherry
- Strawberry
Food Pairings
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Poultry
Critic Scores & reviews
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Cameron Douglas MS
96"This is a single vineyard expression of Syrah, 60% whole cluster and co-fermented with a small portion of Gruner Veltliner skins. Matured for 14 months in new and seasoned French oak. The resulting wine showcases aromas of spices and black fruits, crushed black currant berries and raspberry, violets, clove and toasty barrel scents. A complex and intriguing bouquet, quite powerful and very youthful. On the palate - delicious! Flavours of black fruits and currants, wild berries and spices from barrel and fruit, licorice and clove, some meat moments, pepper and iron-like stony soil qualities. Complex, lengthy and still rather youthful. Decant for service if you must, but best left till late 2022 then enjoy through 2030+."
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Bob Campbell MW
96"This is a single vineyard expression of Syrah, 60% whole cluster and co-fermented with a small portion of Gruner Veltliner skins. Matured for 14 months in new and seasoned French oak. The resulting wine showcases aromas of spices and black fruits, crushed black currant berries and raspberry, violets, clove and toasty barrel scents. A complex and intriguing bouquet, quite powerful and very youthful. On the palate - delicious! Flavours of black fruits and currants, wild berries and spices from barrel and fruit, licorice and clove, some meat moments, pepper and iron-like stony soil qualities. Complex, lengthy and still rather youthful. Decant for service if you must, but best left till late 2022 then enjoy through 2030+."
Other vintages
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Locations
New Zealand
The New Zealand wine industry is one of the younger wine regions in the world, whose popularity grew immensely when Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc hit the world wine scene, quite unique in style when compared to the typical French Sancerre.
Wine is successfully cultivated on both the North and South islands from a latitude of 36 degrees in the North to 45 degrees for the most southerly wine region in the world, the South Island's Central Otago. The majority of regions are located in free-draining alluvial valleys except for Waiheke Island and Kawarau Gorge in Central Otago and benefit from the moderating effect of the maritime climate as no vineyard is more than 80 miles from the ocean. With plentiful sunshine hours and cool evening sea breezes, the grapes thrive.
Sauvignon Blanc is the major white variety people will think of when you mention New Zealand Whites, however fantastic Chardonnay, Riesling, Pinot Gris, Gewurztraminer and less commonly Viognier, Chenin Blanc and Pinot Blanc. Pinot Noir is the most widely planted red variety in New Zealand although Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot (Bordeaux Blends), Syrah are also grown and in even smaller amounts, Tempranillo and Montepulcianos can too be found. Sparkling wines of very high standards are also made in New Zealand.
The key wine regions in New Zealand include Auckland, Canterbury, Central Otago, Gisborne, Hawke's Bay, Marlborough and Nelson.
Marlborough
When it comes to New Zealand wine, the first thought that often comes to mind is Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc. This varietal has played a key role in propelling New Zealand onto the world wine stage.
Located in the northern part of the South Island, the region is centered around the town of Blenheim. In the past, the area was primarily used for sheep farming, but that all changed when Montana Wines planted their first vines in 1973. At the time, many believed the region was "too far south to grow good wine," but Marlborough proved them wrong. Although Central Otago has since claimed the title of the southernmost wine region in the country, Marlborough remains one of the most renowned.
The region boasts plenty of sunshine hours, relatively low rainfall, and cool temperatures, creating ideal conditions for producing world-class Sauvignon Blanc. Other white varieties grown in the region include Chardonnay, Riesling, Pinot Gris, Gewurztraminer, and Sparkling wines. While Pinot Noir is the dominant red variety grown in the region, it is typically lighter-bodied than those produced in Central Otago or Martinborough.
About the brand Blank Canvas
We search for what we feel are the best sub-regions, sites and soils for the particular variety we are making. We work with our growers and vineyards in a long-term relationship, from pruning right through to harvest. All our vineyards are 100% sustainably certified and our growers have a long-term commitment to the land. We pay more for our grapes to obtain appropriate yields and the highest quality. Growers have a wine they can proudly say is from their own vineyard, and not blended away into a regional product. As a result, the wine is more focused, showing site specifics and soul.You May Also Like
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