2021 Place Of Changing Winds Syrah No.2

93 POINTS

Mike Bennie - The Wine Front

A blend of Heathcote and Harcourt fruit, brought to life in mostly old oak and concrete for 16 months, then to stainless before bottling. It’s 70% whole bunch or so. While juicy and thick set it has a good deal of fruit, spice and herbal information, both perfume and palate does dark cherry, choc-mint, sage leaf, blood orange – with fine, firm, al dente tannin in the vein of nerello mascalese or similar. It’s a brooding and deep red, chewy and potent but with levity on its side. Charming in the moodier frame.

93 POINTS

Erin Larkin - Wine Advocate

The 2021 Harcourt and the Syrah No 2 wines are tasted side by side here today, and the context is incredibly useful in determining their similarities and differences. Firstly, these are both classy wines. Elegant, complex, spicy and seamlessly constructed, they are both a pleasure to drink. Structurally, and flavor wise, they are very different. Here, in the 2021 Syrah No 2, the tannins are far more grippy and pronounced. As a tannin lover, this is no problem for me. They are savory and lend weight and gravitas to the fruit. The fruit flavors that course across the tongue are darker, denser and less mineral than those in the Harcourt Syrah. This has notes of blood plum, cocoa, sweet tobacco, mulberry and blackberry. The aromas include a distinct sense of crunchy/crackling autumn leaves underfoot. This is an evocative wine—very smart. 13.5% alcohol, sealed under Diam.