2021 Place of Changing Winds Harcourt Syrah

WINEMAKER: Robert Walters
REGION: Harcourt, VIC
VARIETAL: Syrah
VITICULTURE: Organic

This is the first Place of Changing Winds release from the soils and climate of Harcourt North in the Bendigo G.I. With its pure, sandy, granite soils and its mild climate, this specific place stands apart from the rest of Bendigo. It’s a vineyard that can grow wines of tremendous perfume and finesse, even if the 2021 is a deeper and more structured release, reflecting the season. The wine underwent almost two years of maturation: one year in neutral wood (barrique through to 1000-litre) and one year in an unlined concrete tank. Bottling was in late February 2023. The result is a wonderfully perfumed, yet layered Syrah with blackcurrant fruit, anise, bay leaf and thyme notes and a super-long, lingering finish. It reminds us of a top Morgon.

The goal since the beginning for Place of Changing Winds has been to establish a vineyard and a system of practice that can stand comparison with the world’s greatest estates. The aim has been to answer the question, “How much of a difference to style and quality does this type of extreme practice make?” The 2021s seem to be answering that question.