2022 Place of Changing Winds Beyond The Forest Pinot Noir Organic, Mount Macedon

From an isolated section of the vineyard and a parcel that felt distinct from the intent of blending. Similar to Between Two Mountains, it rests in Stockinger wood, 50% new, before bottling. Supreme finesse. All the accolades and hallelujahs. It sets up with a huge volume of fine scents, cherries ‘n’ berries, a fog of sweet turned earth and dried leaves, peppery spice, lifted alpine herbal elements and some faint mahogany woodiness. The palate a mime of the aromas in a taut and tumbling bundle of grippy, almost Italianate tannin profile, finishing spicy, softly woody, fruity and savoury. It’s impressive and so very composed, elegant, luxurious despite its tension and travel. To be savoured if not to stand back and admire grandly while drinking. Sound the alarums.” 

 97+ points Mike Bennie thewinefront.com.au

The 2022 Beyond the Forest Pinot Noir is so perfumed. It bursts forth from the glass with red-hearted summer fig, cherry, violets and Boscobel rose, raspberry pip, a hint of pomegranate, crushed rocks and native leaves. The wine is possessed of such a lovely shape: all concentration and sapidity on the front while it patiently tails out over a long, languid finish; it is persistent and fine and so composed. I love the fruit, I love the tannins, I love the balance. It feels good to drink and to chew. Superb. This is one of Australia's very finest Pinots. It's made in the same way as the Between Two Mountains Pinot and was matured in 100% Stockinger casks for 18 months, 50% new. A total of 747 bottles were filled, with 24 magnums. 13.5% alcohol, sealed under Diam and wax. 

97+ points Erin Larkin robertparker.com

Matured for 19 months in 50% new Stockinger oak. Complex and convincing, rapidly changing in the 30 minutes after opening, the texture verging on silk; harmonious red berries, and red cherries, too; tannins built into its ultra-long, lingering finish. 747 bottles, 24 magnums produced.

96 points James Halliday The Weekend Australian

Excellent depth of colour, with black cherry uppermost in a rich, ripe and classical pinot noir bouquet. The palate is velvet smooth and rich, with excellent concentration and long persistence, the ample tannins supplying backbone and length as well as fleshy-rich mouth-feel. Black cherry is almost singular, whole-bunch not really in evidence. Long, long carry. High potential here.

97 points Huon Hooke therealreview.com

Two pinots made in ’22, a blend under the Between Two Mountains label and this new addition, comprising a small parcel of fruit off the north-facing vineyard. It is aged for 18 months in Stockinger casks, 50% new, which imparts a distinctive sweet wood spice/char flavour. Expect some cherry compote and black fruits, yet this is very much savoury in outlook. Wafts of undergrowth, twigs, menthol and amaro. Textural, lightly drying tannins, a slight raw wood note, yet everything is neatly placed.

96 points Jane Faulkner winecompanion.com.au

The Place of Changing Winds team found that each parcel performed best, generally speaking, as part of an overarching blend (i.e., Between Two Mountains). However, there was a small exception: one cuvée of great perfume, precision and finesse that demanded to be bottled separately. This wine comes from the north-to-east facing amphitheatre that looks directly at the forest surrounding the property, hence the name. Again, it was aged for 18 months in 100% Stockinger casks, 50% new. It’s a fine, pure, perfumed Pinot that certainly has enough structure for aging. The notes below tell you what to expect. It was bottled at the end of January 2024.

Only 747 bottles and 24 magnums produced.