Place of Changing Winds Heathcote Syrah Second Bottling 2019

During the élevage of their 2019 Heathcote Syrah, Rob and Remi came across a batch that looked markedly different from the rest of the blending material. The grapes for this lot were given a fair degree of foot-stomping early on, which led to a more structured and savoury style. As this parcel was expressing clear individuality compared to the slinky stylings of the regular bottling, it was judged that this particular batch would benefit from extended aging. And so, taking what could be seen as a risky and unusual step in modern Australian winemaking, nearly one-third of the 2019 Syrah was set aside for 30 months in large, wooden, Stockinger casks (one 2,000-litre and one 1,000-litre). If anything, the differences between the parcels became more pronounced with age.

As with the first release, the Syrah was drawn from a single vineyard on the east-facing slopes of Colbinabbin (pictured below) in the northern, Mount Camel Range subzone of Heathcote, Victoria. The soils are red/brown eroded basalt (the famous Cambrian soils), shot through with greenstone and jasper. The vines are grown without chemical inputs and with minimal irrigation (organic, yet to be certified). In the shed, the grapes were fermented naturally with 100% whole bunches, and this parcel resulted from a particular fermentation that ended up being a touch more extractive.

The longer aging has produced a finer, more integrated, and complex wine. It’s spicier and more savoury than our first bottling, but also more floral, and seductive, with a lovely mouthfeel. And it has great drive and freshness on the finish. In short, it’s a delicious wine that we’re very proud of! -  Robert Walters, Place of Changing Winds 

The Finer Details
Style - Red Wine
Varietal - Shiraz
Country - Australia
Region - Heathcote, Victoria
Vintage - 2019
Bottle Size - 750ml
ABV - 13%
Other - Organic