The first reviews are in for our two new release single vineyard 2019 Chardonnay wines, the Blank Canvas 'Reed' and Blank Canvas 'Escaroth' Chardonnays. 

The Blank Canvas 'Reed' Chardonnay 2019 was rated 95 Points by Master of Wine Bob Campbell. This is the highest score for any New Zealand Chardonnay from the 2019 vintage. Featuring it as his Wine of the Week on shared review website The Real Review he had this to say of it: 

"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."

 The Blank Canvas 'Escaroth' Chardonnay 2019 was rated 94 Points by Campbell:

"From a north-facing slope in the Southern Valleys Taylor Pass. Concentrated savoury chardonnay with chalky, oyster-shell, mineral, grapefruit, hazelnut, almond and baguette crust flavours. A youthful wine that promises to develop well in bottle." 

Meanwhile, Master Sommelier Cameron Douglas awarded both Chardonnays 'Excellent' 94 points:

Blank Canvas 'Reed' Chardonnay 2019

"Sophisticated and complex bouquet of Chardonnay with aromas of gun-flint and oak spices, moments of lemon and grapefruit then yellow fleshed orchard fruit. The second and third sniffs reveal a mineral, stone and textured complexity. The bouquet overall is very youthful and vibrant with the messages of oak strong. On the palate - equally expressive, youthful and complex. Flavours reflect the nose with citrus then oak. Fine wood tannins with a smoky edge, medium+ acidity and palate trill. While this wine is very young it has fantastic potential that Chardonnay fans should invest in and and cellar some bottles. Best drinking from early 2022 through 2026+"

Blank Canvas 'Escaroth' Chardonnay 2019

"Intense aromas of wood smoke and barrel spice then ruby grapefruit, peach and baked orchard fruits. Youthful and very inviting bouquet. On the palate - weighty, silky, warm, fleshy, spicy, smoky and dry. Fruits flavours reflect the nose with yellow fleshed stone fruits, some apple and grapefruit. Lovely wine on the palate - a Chardonnay lovers paradise. Still developing so no rush to drink till mid, even end of, 2021 and through 2025." 

Both of these Chardonnays are limited in allocation, and are presently only available through our online cellar door or by contacting us directly. We will be officially launching them in New Zealand next month with our distributor, Eurovintage, with global markets landing them soon after.