2021 Blank Canvas Settlement Pinot Noir, Marlborough

A distinctive nose of whole bunch; k?nuka, smoke, earth and gravelly minerality, all woven into subtle oak spice. The palate is framed by chalky, structured tannins which make space for the floral, fresh herb and elegant black fruit to flow. Counterbalanced by vibrant acidity, it forms an elegant, fine-boned package which allows the perfume to persist right through the finely linear finish. Not a blockbuster but a wine of finesse, this is currently in a youthfully closed state and will improve significantly with more time in bottle 29 Jan 2025 Drink 2026–2037

93 points Stephen Wong MW therealreview.com

Blank Canvas Settlement Pinot Noir from Marlborough is a refined, deeply aromatic single vineyard wine that captures both the beauty and precision of the Omaka Valley. Crafted by Matt Thomson and Dr Sophie Parker-Thomson MW, it reflects the Blank Canvas philosophy of letting exceptional sites tell their own story with minimal intervention and meticulous care. The Settlement Vineyard, located on a gentle north-facing slope in the Southern Valleys, is one of Marlborough’s most prized Pinot Noir sites, known for its clay-rich soils and naturally low-yielding vines that produce fruit of remarkable concentration and structure.

The grapes are hand picked and carefully sorted, with about 30 percent of whole bunches included during wild fermentation to add aromatic lift and fine tannin texture. The wine then matures in French oak barrels, around one third new, for roughly a year before bottling without fining or filtration. This gentle approach preserves both the vineyard’s purity and the graceful, layered style that defines Blank Canvas Pinot Noir.

In the glass it shows a deep ruby hue. The aroma is pure and elegant, opening with red cherry, plum and black raspberry, intertwined with violet, thyme, and subtle spice. On the palate it is silky yet focused, with layers of red and dark fruit supported by fine tannins and lively acidity. Notes of earth, cedar and mineral run through the long, savoury finish. It’s a wine of quiet confidence and balance — complex, poised and true to its Omaka origins.

Blank Canvas Settlement Pinot Noir is a superb match for duck breast, lamb with herbs, mushroom dishes or roasted beetroot salad. It also pairs beautifully with seared tuna or soft cheeses. While graceful now, it will age effortlessly for a decade or more, gaining savoury depth and truffle-like complexity over time.