July 16, 2024
Discover the Artistry of Blank Canvas Wines
"One of the most exciting labels to come out of Marlborough in the past decade." - Rebecca Gibb MW, Vinous
Founded in 2013 by award-winning international winemaking consultant Matt Thomson and New Zealand South Island’s first-ever Master of Wine, Sophie Parker-Thomson MW, Blank Canvas Winery has rapidly gained recognition in the wine industry. This dynamic duo, sharing over 40 years of combined experience and a profound love for science and art, crafts small-batch artisanal wines from their home in Marlborough, expanding their operations to include sites in Hawke’s Bay and Central Otago.
From the outset, Blank Canvas Winery has focused on creating wines that express the unique character and individuality of each vineyard site. Influenced by their European travels and experiences, Matt and Sophie’s passion for single-vineyard expression results in wines characterized by elegance and restraint, capturing the essence of Marlborough's terroir.
A distinguishing feature of Blank Canvas wines is their natural winemaking style, combining authenticity with precision. By using wild fermentation and avoiding filtration, they allow the grapes to express themselves fully, producing wines that are clean, fault-free, and captivating in character. Their approach has made Blank Canvas one of the most exciting labels to emerge from Marlborough in the past decade, consistently balancing power and finesse.
Today we have 3 wines to recommend which all offer great value.
Blank Canvas Element Syrah 2018
The Element Syrah produced by Blank Canvas Winery stands out for its distinctive characteristics. With notable pepperiness, it evokes comparisons to the wines of Côte-Rôtie in the Rhône Valley rather than typical New Zealand Syrah. This unexpected expression showcases the winery’s commitment to pushing boundaries and challenging preconceived notions.
96 Points | The Real Review
From the smallest vineyard in the Gimblett Gravels subregion. Co-fermented with 7% grüner veltliner skins for colour stability, complexity of tannin and a spicy, aromatic lift. The wine certainly has a great depth of colour, with rich, ripe flavours including Black Doris plum, liquorice, cocoa powder, mocha and a suggestion of violet. A generously proportioned wine with an appealingly supple texture. Should age well. (Screwcap)
95 Points | Decanter
Focusing on small-batch single-vineyard wines, Blank Canvas is owned and run by husband and wife Matt Thomson and Sophie ParkerThomson MW. From the smallest vineyard in the Gimblett Gravels at 2.4ha, this is a unique Syrah using 60% wholecluster fruit that’s co-fermented with 7% Grüner Veltliner skins (a technique pioneered by the Thomsons) then matured for 14 months in barrel. Christine Marsiglio MW: Intense hit of smoke, clove and grilled meats. Amazingly complex with ripe blackberry and cherry, baked plum and anise, and a long, savoury finish. Very, very peppery. Decant. Freddy Bulmer: Very reduced at first, but nice leather and blackcurrant flavours come through with air. It’s full, inky and broad, with concentrated fruit. Roger Jones: A big, opulent nose, oozing with meaty diesel perfume. Bold, dark berry flavours. One to keep and savour – it will benefit from another decade of ageing.
Blank Canvas Escaroth Pinot Noir 2018
This Pinot Noir is a beautifully balanced and seductive wine. It surprises the palate with its elegance, complexity, and beguiling charm. Blank Canvas Winery’s Pinot Noirs have also garnered critical acclaim, with wine expert Rebecca Gibb MW of Vinous stating that they are likely to "turn your opinion of Marlborough Pinot Noir upside down."
95 Points | The Real Review
Surprisingly light colour for a Kiwi pinot but the intensity and length of flavour are there. The tremendously complex bouquet speaks of undergrowth, fresh-turned earth, spices and dried fruits and flowers. Fine tannins. Elegantly focused on the palate, lingering and satisfying, it's the ideal red to serve with roast pork or mushroom risotto.
Blank Canvas Reed Chardonnay 2019
Crafted with meticulous attention to detail, this Chardonnay showcases the unique characteristics of Marlborough. The name "Reed" refers to the vineyard site where the grapes are grown, reflecting Blank Canvas' commitment to single-vineyard expression. Renowned wine expert Julia Harding MW of JancisRobinson.com has praised the excellence of Blank Canvas Winery’s Reed Chardonnay, describing its texture and reductiveness as "very Coche Dury" in style.
95 Points | Vinous
A finely poised yet powerful Chardonnay that has just the right amount of reductive flint character, adding a layer of complexity to this savory, stylish wine. Wild fermentation in oak puncheons followed by an extended period on lees has resulted in rounded edges while adding smoky and nutty flavors. It has lovely sinew on the long finish.
95 Points | The Real Review
Impressive purity and power with peach, nectarine fruit flavours together with a subtle struck-flint mineral, reductive character and a pleasing savoury note. A taut, elegant chardonnay that’s good now but promises to get even better with bottle age.