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Bass Phillip Nebbiolo 2021

Name: Bass Phillip Nebbiolo 2021
Brand: Bass Philip
SKU: BPNEB21
Price: 100.00 NZD
Availability: OutOfStock

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$100.00

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Worlds collide in this remarkable wine: an Italian varietal—Nebbiolo—crafted by renowned Burgundy winemaker Jean-Marie Fourrier at his Australian winery. Fourrier has outdone himself with this release. It opens with inviting aromas of dark chocolate, ripe cherry, and plum, all beautifully balanced with a hint of rose. On the palate, you'll find a plush mouthful of flavour, framed by powdery tannins that coat the palate, with lingering echoes of Barolo. Aerate or cellar—time will only enhance the complexity of this wine.

The 2021 vintage was highly favourable, with the potential for high-quality wine. Weather conditions were mostly mild and cool during spring and early summer, warming up through summer and autumn. The growing degree day index was a moderate 1359°C, with 488 mm of rainfall over the growing period. This consistent rain helped maintain vine health. Harvesting began on March 5th and concluded by the end of the month. Ripeness ranged from 13.2 to 14.0 Baume, and while yields were relatively high at 6.9 tonnes per hectare, the fruit enjoyed long, slow ripening, ensuring balance and complexity.

Maker

Bass Phillip

Varietal

Nebbiolo

Country

Australia

Region

Gippsland, Victoria

Vintage

2021

ABV

14.4%

Bottle size

750ml

A nebbiolo made by a winemaker from Burgundy, go figure. Fourrier at the helm. Quite soft and supple with a cinch of tidy, dusty tannins. Big flavour and sense of ripe fruit and yet a cooling flow of alpine herby acidity takes things away nicely. Tightens up really well, a lingering, chewy pucker continues with each sip. A touch of malt here, the ripeness of fruit a little stewed, but all up the wine delivers satisfying nebbiolo as an experience.

— Mike Bennie, The Wine Front, 93 Points

The story of Bass Phillip began in the early 1970s when the first vineyard site was selected 15 kilometres south of Leongatha, based on climatic and topographical observations. The location benefits from South Gippsland's unique conditions—mountains to the north and the ocean to the south—creating the ideal environment for slow grape ripening. In 1998, a 7.5-hectare vineyard was planted in Leongatha’s hinterland, primarily featuring Pinot Noir and Chardonnay, along with small plantings of Gewurztraminer and Nebbiolo. Together, these plantings total over 10 hectares of closely managed, low-yielding vines that produce wines with depth, length, and complexity.

Bass Phillip has embraced organic practices since 1993 and biodynamic farming since 2002. The vineyard's natural processes, including no irrigation and meticulous canopy management, allow the terroir to shine in the wines. The deep, mineral-rich soils combined with South Gippsland's climate contribute to the unique flavour profile of Bass Phillip’s wines, which are made using minimal intervention and traditional winemaking methods. Founder Phillip Jones spent years refining his craft before entering the Australian market, where his Pinot Noirs have earned top accolades from both local and international critics. Today, Bass Phillip’s Pinot Noirs are among Australia’s most sought-after, sold on allocation and rarely seen on the secondary market.

Bass Phillip’s winemaking philosophy centres around simplicity, low cropping, and minimal intervention. Each wine is an authentic expression of its regional and vineyard characteristics. The deep mineral-rich soils of South Gippsland, combined with the region’s natural high humidity and cooler temperatures, contribute to the wines' length, complexity, balanced acidity, and natural minerality. Bass Phillip wines are powerful yet elegant, with mouth-filling textures and complex sweet fruit flavours. They are perfectly balanced with lingering, clean fruit on the finish, making them exceptional for both immediate enjoyment and long-term aging.

Jean-Marie Fourrier, legendary Burgundian winemaker, joined the Bass Phillip management team in 2020, bringing his knowledge and experience to help develop fine wines with texture and complexity. In fact, Fourrier's relationship with Bass Phillip goes back over 20 years, having consulted for the domaine back in 2002. Fourrier developed an early appreciation for Bass Phillip wines, as it would often turn up as an impressive mystery wine at high-rolling Burgundy tastings in Hong Kong. With his brother-in-law and his wife already living in Australia plus their historical ties, Fourrier felt 'all the stars aligned', when the possibility to take over came. Since 2021, with Fourrier's Aussie brother in-law Adam 'Skip' Francis has been working the grounds, while Fourrier oversees the farming and production adding French Burgundian know-how to the Aussie icon.

Tasting notes

NOSE
Ripe Cherry, Rose, Tar

Dark chocolate, ripe cherry, and plum notes mingle with floral hints, while the tarry notes are just beginning to develop.

PALATE
Ripe Cherry/Plum, Dusty Tannins, Alpine Herbs

Soft and supple with dusty tannins and subtle notes of alpine herbs.

FINISH
Cool Acidity, Chewy Pucker, Amaro

The finish tightens beautifully, offering a lingering, chewy pucker with each sip, complemented by a hint of amaro bitterness.

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