Blank Canvas Gruner Veltliner 2013

Gruner Veltliner can produce outstanding, full-bodied wines capable of aging. Yet unfortunately few producers have the luxury of holding onto wine, allowing evolution in the bottle to give us a new perspective on the varietal. But Blank Canvas, one of the most exciting labels to emerge from Marlborough in the past decade is doing just that. A super opportunity to look at this versatile grape, with age, made by great people!

The Blanc Canvas Gruner Veltliner from 2013 hails from 2 hectares on the great Berakah vineyard in Rapaura. The vintage consisted of a long summer, rainfall was moderate and well-spaced. Disease was non-existent with the absence of rain during harvest, near-perfect conditions. The grapes were harvested by hand during the cool early morning near the end of the Marlborough harvest. De-stemmed, crushed and pressed in a gentle pneumatic press to avoid skin-contact and the extraction of harsh phenolics. A press cut was also made. Free-run juice went primarily to stainless steel tank to ferment cool, and a 25% portion was split equally into new and used French oak puncheons (600 litre) where it matured for 8 months.

Complex tasting note - think green apples, roses, lychee and mango, strong mineral terroir tones supported by a lively acid backbone.