Place of Changing Winds Clos de la Connerie 2019

"It’s not your average Pinot Noir. It’s varietal but it has a power to it, a force. When I say this I’m referring to its flavour profile; it’s actually a wine of detail and finesse, it’s just that the fruit flavours have a brooding darkness. Boysenberry stirred with anise, black cherry buried in undergrowth, five spice notes licking at sweet herbs. It’s a wine of black humour, if you will. The most impressive thing, as is often the way, is the formation of tannin, and the way it gathers that which has come before and completes it. I want to use the word spark in relation to the tannin; I just do. Perhaps what I mean is that it ignites the aftertaste. In any case I was ambivalent to the Place of Changing Winds project until I tasted this wine, and then in a rush I wanted to know everything and more about it. Gorgeousness in wine is nothing if not inspiring."

“This is a close-planted parcel that has a very complex nose with deep, dark-cherry and blueberry aromas, as well as graphite-like, dark stones, forest wood, earth, black cherries, citrus rind and rich dark spices. It holds a gently reductive edge. The palate has a very smooth, seamless feel with concentrated, ripe dark-cherry flavor and a fine, plush build through the flavorful finish. I like the tension here. Drink or hold.”

“The 2019 Clos de la Connerie Pinot Noir Lot 1 is substantially darker-fruited than the Between Two Mountains bottling, offering up hints of plums, black cherries and cola. A bit denser, more concentrated and tannic as well, it's still medium-bodied on the palate, with layers of spice and earthy nuance on the long, silky-textured finish. It should be cellared for a couple of years but then drink well for up to a decade after that (or more?). Lot 1 (reviewed here) is bottled under a black foil capsule, but there's also a Lot 2 (untasted) under red wax that spent an additional four months in barrel.”