Compass Winds
Place of Changing Winds
Colbinabbin Vineyard Syrah No. 2 2018
SyrahTastingDay#3
Completely disoriented by this very original expression of the Syrah. We expect a Sunny wine with alcohol and the typical notes of Australian Shiraz outside, we have here a wine of great delicacy with rather red fruity notes, and unexpected vegetable notes of menthol and even eucalyptus, also a slight musk animal character. The winemaking is admirable and we recognize Alain Graillot's style. Superb! 🇦🇺
Complètement désorienté face à cette expression très originale de la syrah. On attend un vin du soleil avec de l’alcool et les notes typées du Shiraz australien hors, on a ici un vin d’u grande délicatesse avec des notes fruitées plutôt rouges, et des notes végétales inattendues mentholée et même eucalyptus, également un léger caractère animal musqué. La vinification est admirable et on reconnaît le style d’Alain Graillot. Superbe! 🇦🇺 — 4 years ago
Place of Changing Winds
Colbinabbin Vineyard Syrah
One of the best Syrah I have had outside the Northern Rhone! — a year ago
Desire Lines Wine Co.
Winds of Change California Syrah Blend 2023
A powerful Syrah in its youth, the Winds of Change 2023 (released March ‘25) opens with a dusty nose full of minerals, rose and kirsch. On the palate, its drying tannins are at the forefront now, adding to the dusty feel, but there is a nice peppery bite, dark cherries and tar. It felt a bit reserved and perhaps a few more years in bottle will mellow the tannins and let the rest shine. — a year ago
Place of Changing Winds
Annus Horribilis Pinot Noir 2020
At a good French restaurant in Sydney - Franca Brasserie. Place of Changing Winds is the brainchild of Robert Walters, one of the leading importers of Fine Wine into Australia - IFW. This is his local venture based in the Macedon Ranges, to the immediate north of Melbourne. Specialising in Pinot Noir and Chardonnay. 2020 as a vintage is well described on the label as “Annus Horribilis”. Terrible weather including a freak frost meant only 100 dozen bottles were produced. As often happens in these difficult vintages the resulting wine was very good - pretty and perfumed yet structured and fine boned at the same time. Looking forward to trying more bottles from this ultra boutique winery. — 2 years ago
Cambria Estate Winery
Julia's Vineyard Pinot Noir 2021
Cambria Estate Winery — Julia’s Vineyard Pinot Noir 2021 — Santa Maria Valley, Santa Barbara County, California. United States 🇺🇸
Overview:
An estate-grown Pinot Noir crafted entirely from estate fruit at Cambria’s Julia’s Vineyard, delivering a fresh, approachable expression of cool-climate California Pinot with bright fruit purity and everyday elegance.
Aromas & Flavors:
Red plum, strawberry, cranberry, cherry compote, hints of sage, lavender, rose petal, and light leather.
Mouthfeel:
Medium-bodied with smooth tannins, lively acidity, and gentle spice through the finish. Bright red fruit keeps the palate energetic and easy-drinking while maintaining enough structure to feel polished.
Food Pairings:
Roast chicken, salmon, mushroom pasta, grilled vegetables, pizza with prosciutto or mushrooms, soft cheeses.
Personal Pick:
This is my kind of reliable weeknight Pinot — easy to love, versatile at the table, and always satisfying without demanding too much attention. A bottle I happily keep in regular rotation.
Verdict:
A charming, estate-driven Pinot Noir offering freshness, balance, and excellent everyday value. Perfect for casual dinners and relaxed enjoyment.
🍷 Did You Know?:
Santa Maria Valley’s east–west orientation funnels cool Pacific winds deep into the valley, extending hang time and preserving natural acidity — a key reason the region excels with Pinot Noir and Chardonnay. — a year ago
Place of Changing Winds
Between Two Mountains Pinot Noir 2022
At Andrew McConnell’s latest restaurant in Melbourne, Gimlet, which has some wow factor and a NewYork 1920’s like vibe. This Pinot is the new kid on the quality block in Australia. From the Macedon Ranges. Sweet black cherry fruit. Sous Bois. A long life ahead. — 2 years ago
Azores Wine Company
Vulcânico Rosé Blend
Loved this for an afternoon of Greek, Portuguese and Eastern Mediterranean apps. It’s almost orange, with strawberries grounded by loads of minerals & salinity. Reminds me of the wines grown on the volcanic soil on Santorini. I gather the growing is similar, low to the ground to protect the vines from sea winds. — 5 years ago
Freddy R. Troya
Chappellet — Grower Collection “Five Blocks” Calesa Vineyard Chardonnay 2020
Petaluma Gap AVA, Sonoma County, California, USA 🇺🇸
Overview:
A very limited-production Chardonnay sourced from the Calesa Vineyard in the Petaluma Gap AVA. Built from cool-climate tension and precision, this 2020 vintage elevates the profile of the wine with greater depth, layered complexity, and remarkable balance while preserving the vibrant tropical-citrus core characteristic of the site.
Aromas & Flavors:
Intense yet refined aromas of lemon curd, tropical citrus, baked guava, white peach, and subtle lychee, intertwined with delicate white spices and hints of mandarin zest. The palate unfolds in layers with vibrant citrus energy, savory mineral nuances, and beautifully integrated oak.
Mouthfeel:
Exceptionally balanced and textured. Fresh acidity drives the wine from start to finish, while a striking tension on the back palate gives the wine precision and lift. Creamy without heaviness, polished without excess, finishing long, energetic, and remarkably composed.
Food Pairings:
Butter-poached lobster, scallops, roast chicken with herbs, creamy seafood pasta, miso-glazed cod, or aged Comté.
Verdict:
A serious and highly expressive Chardonnay that showcases how powerful and refined California Chardonnay can become in the right cool-climate hands. The 2020 clearly steps above the 2022 in complexity, texture, and overall precision while still maintaining the vibrant tropical freshness that defines the vineyard.
🍷 Did You Know?
The Petaluma Gap’s cold Pacific winds naturally slow ripening and thicken grape skins, helping Chardonnays develop both concentrated flavor intensity and the kind of acidity-driven tension more commonly associated with top cool-climate regions. Cheers! — 12 days ago