Vineyard: Element Vineyard
Subregion: Gimblett Gravels
Region: Hawke's Bay 
Vintage: 2019
Soil Type: Free-draining gravel bed soils which have lenses of sand, silt and clay at various depths.
Clone: Chave, Mass Selection and Stonecroft
Viticulture: Sustainable Winegrowing New Zealand Certified (SWNZ)
Growers: Dominic and Rachelle Smith 

Winemaker's Notes: 

In the true expression of cool-climate Syrah, this wine exudes freshly cracked black pepper, crushed violets, red and black forest fruits and savoury smoky nuances. It has crunchy lifted acidity which carries the defined, fine-grain tannins and background of spicy, savoury oak.

This wine is about fragrance and texture, which is assisted by our pioneering co-fermentation technique with a small proportion of Gruner Veltliner skins as well as whole-cluster fermentation. The co-fermentation gives a white pepper spice quality to the flavour spectrum and intensifies and stabilises the brilliant purple hue of Syrah. The result is layers of complexity in flavour and tannins which will allow an intriguing long-term ageing potential.

Reviews: 

Selected in The Best Syrahs of the World Tasting | La Revue du Vin de France "

“After acquiring solid wine experience, Sophie Parker-Thomson (Master of Wine) and Matt Thomson launched their project in 2013, called Blank Canvas. They exclusively produce single-plot vintages, from hand-picked vineyards in different regions of New Zealand. These vintages quickly met with success. Their Element Vineyard Syrah comes from the gravel and clay terroir of Gimblett Gravels, in the North Island. The 2019 vintage is a floral, elegant, fine and dynamic wine. A fresh, sapid Syrah with a Rhône accent, created by these two lovers of Côte-Rôtie wines.” 

“This syrah comes from the Gimblett Gravels terroir, in Hawke’s Bay, includes 65% whole cluster. Aged in mainly old barrels, it exudes black pepper, violet and a nice mintiness. Good management of maturity with dynamic juice. This wine stands out for its tactile elegance, its aromatic charm and the finesse of its tannins.” 93 points  

95 points - Outstanding "A powerful bouquet driven by aromas of spices and dark red fleshed fruits, seasoned red meats and there’s layers of barrel and smoke, wood spices and pressed violets. Complex and youthful. Equally powerful on the palate with a firm taut texture from tannins and back bone of acidity; tempering and contrasting core fruit flavours of dark berries and spiced meats layer in complexity and mouthfeel. This wine needs more time, it is delicious already, dry and lengthy. Best drinking from very late 2023 through 2033." Cameron Douglas MS 

95 points - Intense wine with an appealing seamless texture and lifted aromatics. Dark berry, cassis, dark chocolate, vanilla, anise, and black pepper are also evident. Elegant, supple wine—a pleasure to taste 20/12/2022 Bob Campbell MW 

94 points - Top 100 Wines of New Zealand 2022 (James Sucking) "Aromas of black pepper, wet stone, crushed blueberries and plums. Medium- to full-bodied with velvety tannins. Nicely balanced, showing richness of fruit without being overdone. Dense, packed spice tingles on the palate. Very well composed. Sustainable. Drink or hold. Screw cap."

92 points "The 2018 Element Vineyard usually contains some Gruner Veltliner skins but this vintage is 100% Syrah due to differences in ripening times between the two varieties. It is wild fermented with a five day cold soak and hand plunged. It’s all that you would want a cool climate Syrah to be: smoky bacon, fragrant pepper, but with a sense of more sweet, lush fruit on the finish. There’s 60% whole bunches, giving a light furriness to the mouthcoating tannins." Vinous | Rebecca Gibb MW | May 2023

View Blank Canvas 'Element' Syrah Tasting Notes - 2017 | 2018 | 2019
View Blank Canvas Syrah Tasting Notes (different single vineyard) 2015 | 2014