Our ‘Abstract’ Three Rows Sauvignon Blanc also performed, scoring an impressive 95 points and touted as a “sophisticated single vineyard Sauvignon Blanc”. This is the first vintage of our stylistic foray into including a whisper of new oak, which we think gracefully nestles into this powerful, low-yielding vintage. On the red front, two of our Pinot Noirs – the Anthem Vineyard and Settlement Vineyard – both scored 95 points. The Anthem Vineyard was remarked on for possessing “…so much rose petal and hibiscus with some stem as well as perfectly ripe strawberries,” while Suckling exclaimed he loved the focused length of the Settlement Vineyard.

Back at home, review highlights include the Tano Chardonnay scoring 96 and 95 points respectively from Bob Campbell MW and Cameron Douglas MS, the new vintage Holdaway Vineyard Sauvignon Blanc receiving an outstanding 95 points from Cameron and the Abstract Three Rows Sauvignon Blanc scoring 95 points from them both. Hence the glitteringly gold start to the year for Blank Canvas!

Full reviews for all wines are below:

2023 Blank Canvas ‘Tano’ Chardonnay

James Suckling  - “This is a beautiful first-release single-vineyard chardonnay with subtle yet intense hazelnuts and sliced cooked apples with hints of Meyer-lemon character. Medium-bodied, it has an extremely long finish with structure and wonderful persistence. The hazelnuts and lightly spiced pears to the hints of cedar are so enticing. Drink or hold.” 97 POINTS (#2 NZ Chardonnay in report, #13 NZ Wines of the Year 2024)

Bob Campbell MW – “A clearly cool-climate chardonnay with hazelnut and saline/oyster shell flavours and refreshing citrus characters together with surprising weight and richness. Accessible now but with good cellaring potential.” 96 POINTS

Cameron Douglas MS “A complex and intriguing wine. Great colour and aromatic development within the bouquet, a complex wine with layers of fruit, lees spice and acidity, harmonious and detailed. On the palate a dry wine touches first then a rush of flavour from what I can only describe as combinations of texture and flavour from citrus to nut, to echoes of stone fruit and mineral. Dry, lengthy, new and exciting. Best drinking from mid to late 2025 through 2031+.” 95 POINTS – OUTSTANDING

2023 Blank Canvas Reed Vineyard Chardonnay

James Suckling - “A single-vineyard, high-volume chardonnay with apples, smoke, lightly toasted vanilla and matchstick. Full-bodied, yet there is tension and intensity. Shows excellent length, going on and on. Drink or hold. Screw cap. 96 POINTS (#5 NZ Chardonnay in report)

Bob Campbell MW “An impressive combination of weight and richness with mineral/gunflint characters adding extra interest to citrus, wood smoke and green apple flavours.” 94 Points

Cameron Douglas MS “An excellent bouquet and palate, saline and fresh, stone fruit and wood smoke, mineral and baking spice scents. A satin-cream mouthfeel as the wine touches followed by flavours of grapefruit peel the peach, apple then a layer of spices from wood and lees effect. Harmoniously dry with complexity and texture. Best drinking from day of purchase or early 2025 through 2028+. 94 points

2021 Abstract Three Rows Sauvignon Blanc

James Suckling “This is so salty with a fresh-sea aspect to the lemon-rind and green-melon undertones. Medium body. Lovely texture and a long, persistent finish. A sophisticated single-vineyard sauvignon. Drink now. Screw cap.” 95 POINTS (#2 NZ Sauvignon Blanc in report)

Bob Campbell MW “Intense, aromatic sauvignon with pronounced passion fruit/tropical fruit flavours together with grapefruit, red capsicum, oyster shell and gooseberry supported by vibrant juicy acidity that helps drive a lengthy finish.” 95 points)

Cameron Douglas MS “Fantastic, a developing bouquet of barrel-ferment and fruit intensity, spice and power, a wine in a perfect window for drinking, scents of baked apple and lees, peach and soft wood spice highlights, a nettle and black currant quality then a dried herb extract. A satin touch gives way quickly to firm texture from acidity and tannins, lees and a soft wood smoke quality. Complex and lengthy a delicious wine to drink on its own or with select cuisine. Best from day of purchase through 2029+.” 95 points

2024 Holdaway Vineyard Sauvignon Blanc

Cameron Douglas MS “A stunning example with a bouquet of minerality and salty air, scents of nettles and tropical fruits, cape gooseberry and citrus peel. As the wine touches the palate the impacts of acidity and fresh citrus fruits are revealed first, then apple and fresh sage, basil and aforementioned tropical fruits. Saline and fresh, a delicious wine with a decent palate squeeze. Lengthy and well made with best drinking from day of purchase through 2029+.” 95 POINTS Outstanding

Bob Campbell MW “Intense, aromatic sauvignon with pronounced passion fruit/tropical fruit flavours together with grapefruit, red capsicum, oyster shell and gooseberry supported by vibrant juicy acidity that helps drive a lengthy finish.” 94 points

James Suckling “The aromas of currant bush, passion fruit and green melon are subtle. Medium-bodied, refined and textured. Understated Marlborough sauvignon. Drink now. Screw cap” 92 points

2021 Anthem Vineyard Pinot Noir

James Suckling “So much rose petal and hibiscus with some stem as well as perfectly ripe strawberries. This has medium body and refined tannins that are creamy and round, focusing at the end with just a bit of sweet and subtle fruit. Drink or hold.” 95 POINTS

2021 Settlement Vineyard Pinot Noir

James Suckling “A very pretty tension to this pinot with strawberries, orange blossoms and perfumed cedar character. Medium body, fine tannins and a fresh finish. Love the focused length. Drinkable but better with time. Screw cap.” 95 POINTS

2023 Gruner Veltliner

Cameron Douglas MS, “A focused and intense package of scents with a white herb and radish note, citrus and white pineapple and an apple twist quality deliver a striking aromas. Dry, taut and new with flavours on the palate a mirror of the bouquet, high acidity with a fresh herb quality and peppery phenolics. Delicious, a lovely aperitif option or with fresh clam or mussel dishes. Best drinking from 2025 through 2030.” 94 points

James Suckling “The aromas of pears, fresh flowers, honeysuckle and minerals are very pretty. Medium-bodied, dry and layered. Not all that complex but very satisfying and true to the grape type. Drink now. Screw cap.” 92 Points

2024 Blank Canvas Anandale Farm Riesling 

Stephen Wong MW (Real Review)A curiously complex nose with smoke, subtle flint, pepper and savoury earthiness. The palate leans into the savoury notes along with a touch of toasty, biscuity funk, revealing a generous sweetness mid-palate before the limy acidity streaks through to counteract the sugar, leaving the finish surprisingly off-dry and mouth-wateringly tart despite being technically sweeter than that. Powdery and pithy phenolics add to the length. A more daring modern Germanic approach which is well-judged and interesting.” 14 Jan 2025 2025–2037.” 94 Points (Top Rank - #3 2024 NZ Riesling) "

Cameron Douglas MS "Classic, off-dry, fragrant and delicious on the palate. Aromas and flavours of white peach and lemon, a mix of red and green apple, white rose and wet stone minerality. The acid line carries the purity of fruit flavours and contrasts the off-dry sweetness level, there’s a fine saline quality, excellent phenolics and mouthfeel leading to a lengthy finish with complexity and finesse. Best drinking from day of purchase through 2030+." 94 points

2022 Blank Canvas Reed Vineyard Chardonnay – James Suckling “Very clean chardonnay character of sliced apples, flint, and steel on the nose and palate. Medium-bodied with a tight and trim form, tight phenols and underlying sophistication in the flavors of apples, bread dough and stone. This is structured but fascinating to drink now. Drink or hold. Screw cap. 95 POINTS” (from earlier in the year but included in the annual report) (Sold Out - Available in magnum only)