2024 Blank Canvas Holdaway Bay Sauvignon Blanc, Marlborough

The 2024 Holdaway Vineyard Sauvignon Blanc hails from Dillons Point in the Lower Wairau, on the shores of the Cook Strait. The wine is chalky and mineral and more than a little bit salty, with fresh coriander, crushed oyster shell, lemon oil, verbena and wet stone. The fruit is fleshy, but the wine retains a core of tension and freshness. I love the draw and linger of flavor through the finish. While the aim of the game here is to minimize the impact of bittering phenolics, the wine is in possession of tremendous texture. It had a cool, long, ferment, and the juice was stirred to keep the lees in suspension; now they are settling to introduce textural interest. 13% alcohol, sealed under screw cap.

94 points Erin Larkin robertparker.com

Blank Canvas Holdaway Bay Sauvignon Blanc from Marlborough is a pristine, textural and beautifully poised white that captures the essence of the Wairau Valley in a more restrained, terroir-driven style. Crafted by Matt Thomson and Dr Sophie Parker-Thomson MW, this single vineyard wine reflects the Blank Canvas philosophy of precision, authenticity and minimal intervention. It showcases the subtle side of Marlborough Sauvignon Blanc — vibrant and aromatic, yet structured and finely detailed rather than overtly tropical.

The fruit is sourced from the Holdaway family’s vineyard at Dillons Point, one of Marlborough’s most celebrated subregions for Sauvignon Blanc. The site sits on deep silt and loam soils close to the Wairau River, where cool coastal breezes and extended sunshine hours combine to create fruit with both concentration and purity. Grapes are hand picked and whole bunch pressed, with fermentation carried out primarily in stainless steel using wild yeasts, and a small portion in neutral oak to build texture and complexity. The wine is then aged briefly on fine lees to enhance mouthfeel while preserving crisp acidity and freshness.

In the glass it appears pale straw with green reflections. The aroma is pure and expressive, offering lime zest, grapefruit, white peach and elderflower with subtle notes of flint and crushed herbs. The palate is sleek and vibrant, showing citrus and tropical fruit layered with a delicate mineral core and creamy texture from lees contact. The finish is long, refreshing and beautifully balanced, showing sophistication and precision rarely found in this variety.

Blank Canvas Holdaway Bay Sauvignon Blanc is perfect with oysters, grilled fish, goat cheese, Thai salads or dishes with fresh herbs and citrus. It also pairs wonderfully with sushi or seafood linguine. Enjoy it young for its brightness and drive, or cellar for three to four years to develop subtle savoury complexity.