95 Points - Jane Faulkner
Place of Changing Winds is one of the most impressive new winemaking ventures to emerge for some time. Based at a single site in the Macedon Ranges of Victoria, Place of Changing Winds also produces some impressive Syrah from the Heathcote region along with Syrah and Marsanne from the Harcourt area.
The 2021 Place of Changing Winds Heathcote Syrah is made from from an east-facing plot of 20+-year-old vines rooted in the red Cambrian soils of the Mount Camel Range in Heathcote’s north. A delicious, dark-fruited expression of this famous region this delivers relatively low alcohol (13%) and only 10% new oak used. This delivers an approachable, refined style of Shiraz that delivers wonderful aromatics and allows the high quality fruit to shine.
“95 Points. The Heathcote syrah now spends an extra year ageing - all up, 33 months; the first year matured in Stockinger barrels and concrete, then into one 2000L Stockinger cask. Good decision as the tannins are resolved and the wine feels complete. Wonderfully aromatic, from florals, dark fruit and warm spices to some charcuterie notes - think bresaola. The full-bodied palate unfurls all savoury, rich with some bitter dark chocolate and a texture of pomace. Complex and detailed, flavours build, and it finishes long. Impressive.”- Jane Faulkner, The Wine Companion.
“94 Points. Larger format Stockinger barrels and concrete make up a lot of the wine’s vessel maturation profile. The vineyard from northern climes in Heathcote. It spent nearly three years resting before bottling. A wild card, a surprise package. A wine of energy, febrile tension, freshness and drawl. It’s all wild, brambly red berries, dusty, fine tannin, blood orange (pleasing) sweet-bitterness, fine, dark chocolate mellow qualities and faint game meat savouriness. It feels decidedly light and bright, sure, complex, layered, some intensity, but the vim and vigour here is undeniable. This will slake a thirst.”- Mike Bennie, The Wine Front
“The 2021 Heathcote Syrah eloquently speaks of the red Cambrian soils upon which the fruit was grown. This is expressed via the mineral, ferrous, bloody sort of outlay of tannins that create the bedrock for the fruit. Speaking of which, the fruit is lightweight and elegant and sweeps across red and black cherries, red apple, green tea, crushed rocks and white pepper, with nuances of blueberries and asphalt. This is an interesting wine; it's engaging and pretty. 13.1% alcohol, sealed under Diam. 92 Points" -Erin Larkin, The Wine Advocate.
