2019 Element Vineyard Gimblett Gravels Syrah, Blank Canvas

• Style: Cool-climate Syrah, whole-cluster fermented, unfiltered
• Taste: Black pepper, violets, red and black forest fruit, smoke
• Food: Grilled beef, barbecued chicken, braised game, aged cheese
• Critic: Wine Spectator 94, Decanter 95, James Suckling 91
• Occasion: Sunday lunch, date night, special dinners
• Serve: 13% ABV, decant 30 minutes or breathe in glass

In the Glass — Tasting Notes

Black pepper and crushed violets lead, followed by layered red and black forest fruits with a whisper of smoke beneath. Crunchy acidity carries fine-grained tannins, with spicy oak sitting quietly in the background. The 2019 drought year concentrated flavour without sacrificing freshness—a wine of real depth where layers unfold rather than announce themselves.

The Winery — Blank Canvas

Matt Thomson and Sophie Parker-Thomson combine four decades of international winemaking expertise to craft small-batch fine wines from exceptional New Zealand vineyard sites. Matt has overseen fifty vintages across global regions; Sophie brought her legal background to the project in 2011. Whole-cluster fermentation preserves aromatic delicacy while building structure. Gimblett Gravels' renowned free-draining riverbed soils, paired with mature vines and careful management, delivered fruit of striking balance and intensity in this vintage. Bottled without filtration to honour aromatic and textural character, it's vegetarian-friendly, sustainably grown, and built to evolve for years.

At Your Table — Food Pairing & Serving

This is full-bodied red wine at its most graceful—equally at home with grilled beef, barbecued chicken, braised game, or aged cheese. It stands as an outstanding example of what New Zealand achieves when Syrah finds the right site and winemaker. Decant thirty minutes before service, or open and let it breathe in the glass. Explore our Syrah & Shiraz collection to discover why this cool-climate expression continues to win over serious drinkers.

Explore the cellar: Full Bodied Red Wine · New Zealand · Syrah & Shiraz