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Penfolds Grange + St Henri: The Collector's Set
Two of Australia's most enduring red wine expressions, together in one collection. Grange and St Henri represent opposite poles of the Penfolds phi...
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Two of Australia's most enduring red wine expressions, together in one collection. Grange and St Henri represent opposite poles of the Penfolds phi...
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View full detailsREVIEWS + ACCOLADES
This is quite a lush Chardonnay, with aromas reminiscent of lemony apple tart and a sprinkle of almonds to greet the nose. The palate is rich, juicy, and full of mouth-filling ripe peach and nutty nougat flavours. A superb drinking experience, but also worth keeping for those who enjoy cellaring.
The 2019/2020 growing season was marked by slightly cooler-than-average temperatures, resulting in wines with excellent natural acidity. Despite below-average yields, the fruit showcased intensity and length. Jean-Marie and the team at Bass Phillip approach each vintage as an evolution rather than a revolution, and the 2020 vintage continues this philosophy, focusing on precision, generosity, and honouring nature’s influence.
This is quite a lush Chardonnay, with aromas reminiscent of lemony apple tart and a sprinkle of almonds to greet the nose. The palate is rich, juicy, and full of mouth-filling ripe peach and nutty nougat flavours. A superb drinking experience, but also worth keeping for those who enjoy cellaring.
The 2019/2020 growing season was marked by slightly cooler-than-average temperatures, resulting in wines with excellent natural acidity. Despite below-average yields, the fruit showcased intensity and length. Jean-Marie and the team at Bass Phillip approach each vintage as an evolution rather than a revolution, and the 2020 vintage continues this philosophy, focusing on precision, generosity, and honouring nature’s influence.
The colour is medium-yellow, the bouquet complex with creamy lees, cashew nut and lemon peel aromas, the palate intense and finely woven, tightly composed and youthful, dry and savoury and lemony, increasingly mineral towards the finish. The acidity is high and energising, driving the palate relentlessly. There's obvious tannin on the finish adding grip and structure. A superb chardonnay.
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.
The aromas evoke a lemony apple tart, accented by a sprinkle of almonds.
The palate is intense, finely woven, tightly composed, and youthful, with dry, savoury, and lemony flavours.
The finish becomes increasingly mineral-driven, with high acidity energising and driving the palate. Superb balance and persistence.