Element Vineyard Gimblett Gravels Syrah 2019

2019 Element Vineyard Syrah Blank Canvas Wines NZ

$60.00 NZD

PDF Tasting Sheet

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 (Stonecroft)
Viticulture: Sustainable Winegrowing New Zealand Certified (SWNZ)
Growers: Dominic and Rachelle Smith

Sustainable Winegrowing New Zealand Certified (SWNZ)

This wine is about fragrance and texture. The 2019 vintage has a slight departure from previous years in that it's a pure expression of Syrah as we did not co-ferment with Gruner Veltliner (for interest, taste it side-by-side with the 2018 to see if you can spot a difference). We used our favoured high proportion of whole-clusters to bring aromatic lift, complexity and structure to the wine. The 2019 vintage was exceptional in the Bay with incredible density of flavour as well as a resounding freshness. Ultimately this Syrah demonstrates the phenomenal potential Gimblett Gravels has for producing cool-climate Syrah and we are thrilled with the stylistic consistency this special single vineyard is delivering. Enjoy now or bury it deep in the cellar to allow the beguiling tertiary characters of Syrah to develop.

We hand-picked the fruit on the 20th April 2019. We’re starting to know this vineyard well now and can tell that ~60% whole bunch component brings out the best balance between fruit and structure. This vintage was 100% Syrah (no co-fermentation), which has resulted in a real Syrah purity. The tank was hand-plunged 4-6 times a day during the peak of fermentation, and after ~16 days was drained and pressed to new and seasoned French oak, of which 35% was new. The wine was gently racked out of barrel and allowed to settle over the 2020 vintage before being bottled without filtration in June.

Products on this Site will only be shipped within New Zealand. 

Shipping Rates: are subject to change at any time and are reflective of current freight charges which include variable charges such as FAF and other levies.

Reviews

18 POINTS

"Deep garnet with soft rim just starting to show some change to an evolved ruby colour. Intensely seductive aroma that is both crackling with black pepper as well as deep and dark in black fruit veering towards black olive. Both scented and savoury. The tannins are at a perfect point in their evolution. Attractively bone dry, mouth-watering, in fact, still offering some resistance yet very fine and succulent. The oak is subtle and fully integrated. Elegant, dry, with so many layers of flavour, managing to be both sober and exuberant at the same time. A real class act that shows what Hawke’s Bay and sophisticated winemaking can achieve. Likely to have a long life in bottle if you can resist it now."

- JULIA HARDING

96 POINTS

"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 backbone 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

"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."

- Selected in The Best Syrahs of the World Tasting | LA REVUE DU VIN DE FRANCE

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."

- BOB CAMPBELL MW

94 POINTS

"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."

- JAMES SUCKLING

93 POINTS

"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.’"

- LA REVUE DU VIN DE FRANCE

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 mouth coating tannins."