The first reviews have been received by top New Zealand wine critics Bob Campbell MW and Master Sommelier Cameron Douglas for our trio of new releases, all of which are proudly Appellation Marlborough Wine Certified.

Master of Wine Bob Campbell has rated both our 2023 Holdaway Vineyard Sauvignon Blanc and 2022 Reed Vineyard Chardonnay Top Ranks and 95 points in their categories, while our 2023 Anandale Farm Riesling has received a fantastic 94 point rating. 

2022 Blank Canvas Reed Vineyard Chardonnay | Top Rank: #1 2022 Marlborough Chardonnay 
Weighty, mouth-filling chardonnay with grapefruit, saline/oyster shell, lime zest, nutty yeast lees and a suggestion of sizzled butter. Great without the complication of food but even better with my hot-smoked salmon. 95 Points 

2023 Blank Canvas Holdaway Vineyard Sauvignon Blanc | Top Rank: #2 2023 Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc
Intense, punchy sauvignon blanc with passionfruit, lime zest, oyster shell, red capsicum and lemongrass flavours. Mouth-watering acidity perfectly balances a hint of sweetness to leave a refreshingly dry finish. Delicious wine 95 Points 

2023 Blank Canvas Anandale Farm Riesling 
An initial hint of sweetness is perfectly balanced by mouth-watering acidity giving the wine an exquisite sweet-sour tension. Flavours of lime zest, oyster shell and lemon curd give good varietal definition. 94 Points 

Cameron Douglas MS has meanwhile reviewed the wines with three outstanding 95 point ratings, and an excellent 93 points for our 2023 Blank Canvas Holdaway Vineyard Sauvignon Blanc. He had the following to say: 

Blank Canvas Anandale Farm Riesling 2023, Marlborough
There’s nothing but purity of variety and fruit as the scents touch the nose, aromas of apricot stone and lemon, white fleshed fruits and blossoms. The pristine quality that the bouquet presents also showcases a mineral quality of wet stone and fresh water stream. Elderflower and lime-flower, lemonade lemons and white apricot. Off-dry on the palate with a lush sweetness, high-acidity and a core of flavours that mirror the bouquet. Youthful, fresh, vibrant and plush. A delicious wine with best drinking from 2023 through 2030+. 95 Points – Outstanding

Blank Canvas Reed Vineyard Chardonnay 2022, Marlborough 
An excellent example of Chardonnay from the Blank Canvas team with aromas and flavours of white fleshed stone fruits and a citrus seam woven through the core. Taut and dry, youthful and textured with a lovely palate squeeze and urgency. Flavours expand on the palate as the wine opens out and gets closer to ambient with baking spices and a light reductive flinty highlight. Oak frames the fruit and is judicious in its level and impact. Generous weight, gentle warming alcohol, plenty of intensity, length and power. A wine best enjoyed from mid to late 2024 through 2030+ 95 Points – Outstanding

Blank Canvas Holdaway Vineyard Sauvignon Blanc 2023, Marlborough
Pungent, intense, fruity, varietal and exacting bouquet of fresh lemon and basil, sage and ripe white flesh fruits, some stone, some tropical. Youthful, vibrant and inviting. On the palate an equally vibrant and refreshing style with salivating acidity, a moment of salinity, flavours of fresh herbs and citrus, white fleshed fruits and tropical moments. Minerality shows as wet river stones and there’s a light floral note on the finish. Well made, saline on the finish and ready to drink from 2024 through 2027+. 93 Points – Excellent

Blank Canvas 'Abstract' Three Rows Sauvignon Blanc 2020, Marlborough 
Distinctive, complex, youthful, layered and intriguing bouquet. Aromas of white peach and soft-curve grapefruit pith, white fleshed orchard fruits, a distinctive lees complexity and a whisper of bottle ageing create a harmonious and alluring bouquet. There’s a touch of sage too. On the palate a delicious wine with synergies of texture and flavour, grapefruit and lees, white flowers and black currant, other flavours from barrel ageing and a purity of fruit all build up to a wine of complexity and subtle bottle-development. A wine to watch, a modern expression with a lengthy and intriguing finish. Best drinking from late 2023 through 2029. 95 Points – Outstanding.