Blank Canvas Element Syrah 2019

Drink now or cellar up to 10 years. No need to decant before serving. New Zealand might not yet be famous for its Syrah, but thanks to Matt and Sophie from Blank Canvas wine critics are fast realising the region’s incredible potential for this magnificent varietal. The couple founded Blank Canvas in 2013 with a vision for crafting small batch wines from prime single vineyard sites. Their evocative Syrah is made with top quality grapes sourced from a stunning site in the Gimblett Gravels sub-region of Hawkes Bay. This vineyard is blessed with well-draining soils thanks to the location on an ancient riverbed and is ideally suited to Syrah. 60% whole cluster and unusually, the couple decided to experiment with co-fermenting the Syrah with the Austrian white variety Gruner Veltliner skins. This technique is traditionally used in Rhone Valley Syrahs with Viognier, and helps to add extra freshness to the hearty red wine. The wine is then aged for 14 months in new and used French oak barrels to add extra complexity and finesse before bottling. The result is a powerful Syrah which opens with dark berry, bitter chocolate and savoury notes. The palate offers a generous full body, firm tannins and intense dark fruit flavours which will continue to evolve and develop over the next decade or so.