Team JancisRobinson.com review our wines in the New Zealand Assemblage tasting.

The annual New Zealand Assemblage tasting saw 89 New Zealand wines being reviewed and assessed by the prestigious Masters of Wine team at JancisRobinson.com. Here's what Julia Harding MW had to say about our current releases:

Blank Canvas Riesling 2013 Marlborough

“A wonderful Kabinett-style Riesling with a balance that I think it is rare to find in the southern hemisphere where the fruit is so often the star. Limey citrus freshness along with a dry, stony texture, the acid/sugar balance is worthy of a fine German Kabinett. There are some hints of development here but hard to describe as they are still a long way from flagrant 'kerosene-like' flavours. This has purity and concentration as well as impeccable balance.” 17.5 Points. Julia Harding MW, JancisRobinson.com

Blank Canvas Grüner Veltliner 2013 Marlborough

“Now this really does have Grüner Veltliner written all over it even though the vines are still pretty young (this is the fourth harvest). It is certainly peppery but it also has the oily (in a good way) depth that I have only ever seen in the Wachau. There's some citrus and green fruit too but also a mineral, dry texture. I do just slightly feel the residual sugar on the finish and would prefer it bone dry, even it that made it slightly more severe. But it is well balanced and remarkably full bodied given the moderate alcohol. Still incredibly fresh but starting to show the complexity of some bottle age. I look forward to tasting it again.” 17 Points. Julia Harding MW, JancisRobinson.com

Blank Canvas Pinot Noir 2014 Marlborough

“Mid crimson. Perfumed, highly aromatic red fruit brought into line with a touch of spice and a hint of that whole-bunch freshness - not in the least unripe but adding a savoury note. This is just gorgeous on the palate, sensual, deep and long but also fresh and vital. There's finesse to the tannins but they are bold enough to shape the framework for the fruit. You can tell this is a wine made by someone steeped in the best of both burgundy and New Zealand. There's sweetness to the fruit but sufficient savour and spice to make it a complete wine, with, as Jancis would say, a beginning, a middle and an end. And it has terrific length. This has to be the best Marlborough Pinot I have tasted.” 18.5 Points. Julia Harding MW, JancisRobinson.com

Blank Canvas Syrah 2014 Hawke's Bay

“Dark, inky black cherry colour. Lots of pepper here and a savoury note a bit like tar. Fabulous texture that is peppery like the flavour but also incredibly compact and smooth. Even with the intensity of elegant fruit, there is still a surprising juicy lightness overall even though the overall character is dark and savoury like the northern Rhône and without the sweetness of the southern hemisphere. Mouth-watering freshness on the finish. Supple and very long. Like the Blank Canvas Pinot, this has the perfect harmony of Old World elegance and structure with the purity of NZ fruit.” 18 Points. Julia Harding MW, JancisRobinson.com

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