We are delighted to present the range of 2010 Pinot Noirs (and a Chardonnay) from undoubtedly Australia's most highly regarded Pinot Noir producer, Bass Phillip. Phillip runs his small property just outside Leongatha largely according to biodynamic principles, and produces some of the purest and most 'Burgundian' expressions of Pinot Noir in Australia.
The 2010 vintage in South Gippsland, like in many other parts of Australia, was very kind and Phillip has produced wonderfully unforced wines displaying lovely balance and finesse. Having tasted through the line-up, we can highly recommend these wines for their lovely purity of expression, coupled with an undoubted ability to age gracefully.
As usual, we have thrown in a few back-vintage gems at special prices.
Our offer prices below are only valid until Monday 18th of June.
2010 Bass Phillip 'Crown Prince' Pinot Noir - $53 per bottle (normally $60)
MW Wines Tasting Note - A good introduction to the world of Bass Phillip Pinot Noir. All of Bass Phillip's trademarks are here - red fruits with a touch of sour cherry, a little gameiness, length, acid and balance in an elegant, medium weight body. Really comes together after 30 minutes in the glass.
2010 Bass Phillip 'Estate' Pinot Noir - $62 per bottle (normally $75)
A charming pinot whose briary fragrance of red cherries, cedary oak, dried herbs and lifted floral notes overlies a hint of duck fat and underbrush. It’s smooth, supple and willowy with a pleasing length of luscious, spicy fruit underpinned by dusty tannins, finishing with pleasing length and a lingering hint of smoked meats. 93 Points, Drink 2015-2018. Jeremy Oliver
2010 Bass Phillip 'Premium' Pinot Noir - $135 per bottle (normally $155)
95 Points Jeremy Oliver. Drink from 2018 to 2022.
MW Wines Tasting Note - A beautifully crafted pinot from Bass Phillip. Less densely fruited than the 2009, the 2010 is an elegant, restrained wine. Displaying an array of red and blue fruits, subtle hints of gameiness and the trademark touch of sour cherries, this wine is everything we come to expect of BP Premium. Only medium bodied, with excellent length and a long line of acid, this wine will undoubtedly reward time in the cellar. Only 12.5% alcohol.
2010 Bass Phillip 'Reserve' Pinot Noir - $299 per bottle (normally $350)
Undoubtedly the pinnacle of Australian Pinot Noir, and also one of our rarest and most sought after wines. Extremely low yields and fastidious attention to the vineyard produces a Pinot Noir of unrivalled depth and ageworthiness.
MW WInes Tasting Note - Once again, less densely fruited than the 2009 version, but this has a poise and elegance that is pure class. Slightly darker fruits than the Premium, with just a touch more weight, which grows in the glass, but is on the back end where the pedigree of this wine really shows. There is a beautifully fine grain to the tannins, a lovely line of acid and excellent length, which all bode well for a fine future for this wine. This wine can go 15 years with no trouble.
2010 Bass Phillip 'Premium' Chardonnay - $69 per bottle (normally $79)
Jeremy Oliver 95 Points. Drink 2015-2018.
Phillip describes this as equal to his best ever Chardonnay. Perennially under-rated.
2009 Bass Phillip 'Estate' Pinot Noir - $69 per bottle (normally $79)
Succulent and sumptuous, this medium to full-bodied pinot has an earthy, wild and briary bouquet of dark cherries, plums and dried herbs backed by meaty nuances of musk and suede leather. ItÆs smooth and supple, with a bright, already complex presence of sweet red cherries and raspberries with a fine, drying and kernellike undercarriage, finishing with a crescendo of fruit and fresh acidity. (95 points, drink 2015-2019) Jeremy Oliver
2009 Bass Phillip 'Premium' Pinot Noir - $144 per bottle (normally $169)
Luxuriant pinot, whose heady floral perfume of cherries, musk and dusty spices precedes an ethereal, supple and smooth palate whose assertive, powerful fruit presence is supported by delightfully fine-grained and dusty tannin, finishing with remarkable length and drive. It's the classic pinot cliche: the iron fist in the velvet glove. (96 points, 2015-2019). Jeremy Oliver
2007 Bass Phillip 'Premium' Pinot Noir - $125 per bottle (normally $139)
A youthful, profoundly flavoured, sumptuously fruited but presently slightly awkward pinot that needs another couple of years in the bottle. Deep and alluring, with a heady bouquet of red and black cherries, Asian spices, duck fat and earthy undertones before a fine, grainy and concentrated palate stacked in layers of pure, explosive cherry flavour. Underpinned by a pliant undercarriage of fine tannins, it's long and fresh, with a lingering note of raisins and dried herbs. (18.5/94, 2012-2015). Jeremy Oliver