2023 Blank Canvas Holdaway Bay Sauvignon Blanc, Marlborough

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 27 Sep 2023 Drink 2023–2027

95 points Bob Campbell MW therealreview.com #9 of 172 2023 Sauvignon Blanc from Marlborough

Blank Canvas Holdaway Bay Sauvignon Blanc is a quietly confident take on Marlborough that steps away from the shouty, one dimensional style and leans hard into site and restraint. Holdaway Bay sits at the eastern edge of the Wairau Valley, close to the coast, where cooling sea breezes, long daylight hours and free draining soils slow ripening and preserve natural acidity. It is a place that delivers tension and subtlety rather than sheer intensity.

Blank Canvas is the personal project of winemaker Matt Thomson and Master of Wine Sophie Parker Thomson, two of New Zealand’s most thoughtful wine minds. Their philosophy is about letting vineyards speak, keeping intervention low and building wines with texture and detail. This Sauvignon Blanc is fermented and aged partly in older oak with time on lees, giving it depth and shape without overt wood influence.

The wine opens with grapefruit, lemon pith and white peach, layered with nettle, fresh herbs and a gentle flinty edge. There is brightness, but it is measured rather than piercing. The palate has a lovely chalky texture, subtle savoury notes and a long, dry finish that feels composed and grown up. It is Sauvignon Blanc with shoulders and poise.

At the table, this is a dream for food. Think oysters, sashimi, goat’s cheese tart, grilled vegetables or herb driven dishes where freshness and texture matter. It also rewards a little time in the cellar, happily developing extra complexity over five to seven years. A benchmark modern Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc that shows just how nuanced the variety can be when site and winemaking are taken seriously.