Place of Changing Winds Syrah 2020

Tasting Notes

The Heathcote Syrah was fermented naturally with 100% whole bunches. There were varying levels of crushing and time on skins, including some full carbonic. Our ethos is always to use whole-bunch and whole-berry fermentation to bring perfume and finesse to the natural power of Heathcote.

Fermentation was in concrete and steel tanks and the maturation was mostly in large, neutral oak (Stockinger), with some in older barrique and concrete tank. Less than five per cent of the oak was new. Following our successful experiments with longer aging, we are now starting to extend the maturations for these wines; the 2020 Syrah matured for 18 months (as opposed to 12 months for the 2019 release).

For those who tasted last year’s release, the 2020 is certainly deeper and darker in its personality; there’s a dense core of spicy fruit, excellent complexity and fine, powdery tannins. Despite the wine's intensity, there’s plenty of detail, purity, and excellent balance. You can drink it now, but it will certainly age for up to 10 years and beyond. - Distributor Note