In my tasting today I use the excuse of an auction currently being run by Sothebys on behalf of the Institute of Masters of Wine to show of the merits of Blank Canvas’ Tano, a delightfully elegant 2023 Chardonnay from the Blind River sub-region of Marlborough. This vintage is one of twelve bottles, all Chardonnays, offered in the auction by five New Zealand Masters of Wine (lot 57). As the Tano makes clear in my tasting, New Zealand makes some fabulous Chardonnay which still fails to get the international acclaim that it deserves.
Follow this link to Sotheby’s website to register to bid: https://www.sothebys.com/en/buy/auction/2025/explore-the-world-of-fine-wine-the-institute-of-masters-of-wine-benefit-auction-l25710
Blank Canvas was founded by wife and husband team Sophie Parker-Thomson MW and Matt Thomson in 2013. Together they have over 35 years collective, global winemaking experience in both northern and southern hemispheres. Rather than owning vineyards, they work with long-term growing partners throughout Marlborough, Hawke’s Bay and Central Otago. Working with nine different vineyards and a multitude of terroirs and microclimates.
The wine is called Tano in memory of Gaetano ‘Tano’ Tobin was the director of the Cantina di Monteforte cooperative. Tano passed away in 2021, he was a visionary, a leader, a mentor and a dear friend, Matt worked with Gaetano Tobin for almost 20 years. Tano was instrumental in establishing and championing the crus of Soave, viewing them as the Chablis of Italy. This is the 1st vintage of a single-vineyard wine honouring Tano’s life and vision by crafting a wine that embraces his inspirations; ones Sophie and Matt share.
To find out more about this wine, its price and where to purchase it go to wine-searcher.com: https://www.wine-searcher.com/find/blank+canvas+tano+chard+marlborough+new+zealand/2023
▶️ CHAPTERS:
0:00 New Zealand’s Chardonnays are underrated
0:12 Shameless plug for the Institute of Masters of Wine Benefit Auction
0:22 Auction is online with Sotheby’s – over 60 lots!
0:32 An opportunity to have dinner with Jancis Robinson MW
0:46 Taste Burgundies with Jasper Morris MW, Charles Curtis MW or Jeannie Cho Lee MW
1:00 Case of Chardonnays made by New Zealand MWs
1:24 Have one of the MWs run a tasting of these wines for you
1:48 Today’s tasting is of one of the wines in this case
2:08 Auction details
2:20 Blank Canvas ‘Tano’ Chardonnay 2023 wine label
2:30 Background and history of Blank Canvas
2:41 Over 35 years international winemaking experience
2:55 Working with vineyards in Marlborough, Hawkes Bay and Central Otago
3:11 Company philosophy
3:30 Sophie Parker-Thompson MW – background
4:01 Appellation Marlborough involvement
4:15Contributes to World Atlas of Wine and Oxford Companion
4:22 Matt Thompson
4:57 Geatano Tobin – wine named in his memory
5:34 Soave Crus – are like Italy’s Chablis
5:48 Intended style
6:06 About the Blind River sub-region
6:48 Single plot of Clone 95 Chardonnay
7:13 Regenerative viticulture practiced
7:23 About Appellation Marlborough
8:15 2023 growing season in Marlborough
9:03 WINEMAKING – hand-picked and gently pressed
9:13 Fermented in a Botte
9:29 Fermented with full solids and indigenous yeasts
9:44 Malolactic conversion with ambient bacteria
9:54 Ageing in barrel on lees
10:09 TASTING – Appearance
10:28 Aromas
11:07 Palate
12:42 Drinking window and ageability
13:05 Conclusions
13:18 Score
13:37 Closing remarks, thanks and sign-off
▶️Also in the auction lot is a bottle of the 2020 vintage of Kumeu River Hunting Hill Chardonnay. Follow this link to view my video review of Kumeu River’s Hunting Hill Chardonnay 2024: https://youtu.be/TWZg_-T63rw
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