Product Information:
Phillip Jones, renowned for his Pinot Noir, crafted his final vintage in 2019 before selling Bass Phillip to Burgundy producer Jean-Marie Fourrier the following year. And what a vintage to go out on. This wine is meticulous, epitomising Phil's legacy as a champion of Pinot Noir in Australia and the world stage. The wine is vivid, detailed, long and persistent, classic Bass Phillip and truly deserving of the high acclaim.
The intense and exquisitely balanced Bass Phillip Reserve Pinot Noir is comes from a low-yielding and close planted vineyard of 9000 vines per hectare - that's just 270 grams of fruit per vine. Deeply rooted in mineral soils renowned for producing notably intense and concentrated fruit, the Reserve Pinot Noir is mainly from five rows of MV6 heritage clones, colonial vine stock, yes imported by the legendary James Busby in 1832. For maturation the Reserve Pinot Noir is unfiltered and matured in new Allier oak for up to 20 months.
Maker:
The story of Bass Phillip starts back in the early 1970's when the first vineyard site, located 15 kilometres south of Leongatha, was selected to plant vines based on climatic and topographical observations. These observations when combined with South Gippsland's moderating influences of the mountains to the north and ocean to the south, provides the ideal conditions for slow ripening of grapes. Bass Phillip also has a 7.5-hectare vineyard planted in 1998 in Leongatha's hinterland comprised primarily of Pinot Noir and Chardonnay but also some small plantings of Gewurztraminer and Nebbiolo, on a north facing slope; increasing our overall area of vines to just over 10 hectares. Bass Phillip wines reflect variety and their terroir, enhanced by close planted vines, low cropping, old vines with only the use of natural processes and sprays, no irrigation and meticulous canopy management, culminating to produce wines of depth, length and complexity.
The vineyards have been organic since 1993 and biodynamic since 2002, with wine production processes at Bass Phillip guided by the cosmic rhythms that impart energy and vibrancy into the wines. The wines have deep mineral-rich soils that are natural and organic, giving the wines a unique flavour. They are made in a simple and traditional manner, with low-cropped vineyards, no irrigation and minimal intervention in the winery, resulting in wines that age superbly over extended periods. Phillip Jones, the founder of Bass Phillip, laboured for years before entering the Australian market, and his pinot noirs have often achieved the highest ratings in the land.
Philosophy:
Bass Phillips wines are made simply, with low cropping vines, dry grown and minimal intervention winemaking. Well defined regional and individual vineyard characteristics. Bass Phillip display flavours which are characteristic of the region and their individual vineyards. Deep mineral-rich soils, natural high humidity, and cooler temperatures in South Gippsland is also part of the magic that delivers the length, complexity, flavors, balanced acidity, and natural minerality to Bass Phillip wines. It's mouthfilling and round, with complex sweet fruits. Perfectly balanced, clean, lingering fruits in the finish. Powerful.
Nose - Fragrant Red Berry Perfume, Mushroom, Dried Herbs
Mossy, fungal, spicy and stemmy bouquet, complex red fruits lurking beneath.
Palate - Structure, Restrained, Silky
The palate is intense, very long and beautifully textured, with a touch of vanillin oak.
Finish - Silky, Chalky, Mixed Spices
Silky, tangy fruit is brightened by well-placed acidity. Chalky, chewy tannins come in gentle at first, increasing their grip and power over time.
Medium to deep red/purple colour with a mossy, fungal, spicy and stemmy bouquet, complex red fruits lurking beneath. A nice touch of oak complements the fruit and subtle bunchy characters. The nose opens up beautifully into a fragrant bouquet of wild herbs and fruits including strawberry, raspberry, red cherry and an array of mixed spices. The palate is intense, very long and beautifully textured. It's not especially big or powerful but impresses with its charm. The follow-through is tremendously long-lasting. A really beautiful pinot. - Huon Hooke, The Real Review, 98 Points.
2019 was the last vintages that renowned Pinot producer, Phillip Jones, had his hands in before selling up. And what a vintage to go out on. Lucid and detailed, this is an eye-wateringly expensive wine you could wrap yourself into like a satin robe, even without decanting. Heady aromas of red berries, mushroom, dried leaves, herbs, and flowers, there's a touch of vanillin oak that should disappear with time. The palate shows structure and power but never overt richness. Silky, tangy fruit is brightened by well-placed acidity. Chalky, chewy tannins come in gentle at first, increasing their grip and power over time. Long and persistent: Aussie sunshine meets cool Gippsland climate. Drink now-2033. - Wine Enthusiast, 98 Points.
The Finer Details
Style - Red Wine
Varietal - Pinot Noir
Country - Australia
Region - Gippsland, VIC
Vintage - 2019
Bottle Size - 750ml
ABV - 14.6%
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