Tom Kobylarz

9.5

One of the best Syrah I have had outside the Northern Rhone! — 8 months ago

Bob McDonald

9.3

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

Sarah Milsow-Guenther

9.6

Yet another lovely Scotch from Compass Box. Still a little bite to this one but a nice sipper. — 4 years ago

Brucie Harvey

9.0

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

8.9

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. — 9 months ago

Sarah Milsow-Guenther

10

Still my favorite Compass Box to date. — 4 years ago

Romain Fitoussi

9.2

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

Bruce Dunbar

8.9

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. — 10 months ago

Bob McDonald

9.5

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

Brett Charpentier

9.5

Cherry juice, strawberry jam, pepper. Great wine. Paired well with bacon and pumpkin pasta. — 5 years ago