2017 Bass Phillip Reserve Pinot Noir

A madly rare, profoundly intense and exquisitely balanced wine which reflects the nuances of an exceptional vineyard site. The Reserve is made from five rows of ‘precocious’ Pinot Noir vines in the centre of a closely spaced (9000 vines/hectare) north-east facing vineyard planted on silty loams. Winemaker Phillip Jones is increasingly using "minimal intervention" principles to achieve a natural balance and optimum flavour development. He believes the difference between good and great Pinot is texture. The unfiltered Reserve, matured for 20 months in new Alliers oak, is a brilliant example of Australian terroir showing plenty of concentrated spicy/black cherry fruit, savoury mocha oak and supple tannins and is widely regarded as Australia’s greatest, most consistent and characterful Pinot Noir

Our Story

Background of Bass Phillip

Bass Phillip is named after George Bass and Arthur Phillip – men of great pioneering spirit, foresight and leadership during the nineteenth century. The Bass Phillip vineyards were first established, many years later, in the southeastern corner of Australia in 1979, specialising in high-quality pinot noir and chardonnay wines.

Winemaking at Bass Phillip is uncompromising and driven by the respect for nature. The vineyards have been organic since 1993 and biodynamic since 2002. All wine production processes at Bass Phillip are guided by the cosmic rhythms that impart energy and vibrancy into the wines.

Made in a simple and traditional manner, with low-cropped vineyards, no irrigation and minimal intervention in the winery, the wines of 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. Combining undivided attention to detail in the vineyards  and winery, and an insatiable passion for quality wine experiences, Bass Phillip produces extraordinary wines one vintage after another.

The most recent vintages of Bass Phillip pinot noir are the best we have produced. We put this down to older vines, more experience in winemaking, and continued sustainable practices in both the vineyards and winery.

What makes Bass Phillip unique?

Wines at Bass Phillip are handcrafted with strict scientific analysis and monitored with rigorous quality control. However the story doesn’t end there, the real essence of Bass Phillip’s wine production is to allow the forces of nature to maintain control. Minimal human intervention is practiced wherever possible – no irrigation/pesticides/fertilizers, minimal pumping/ filtration, natural yeast, no fining agents.

As a perfectionist, we crop our fruit at incredibly low levels to achieve the objectives in flavour development. We believe strongly in a gentle hand. Racking is kept to a minimum and no pumps are used in the winery. “The difference between good and great Pinot Noir is texture. We try to minimise the bruising effects that pumping can have on this texture.” Ultimately our priority is to produce a wine that is completely natural and which expresses vineyard site. This sounds simple, but such a high standard does require a relentless pursuit of perfection – and a degree of madness.

The Biodynamic practice at Bass Phillip is planned according to the lunar cycles. Adopting these practices means that each vintage of Bass Phillip wines exhibits the characteristics of “mother nature’s” temperament, expressing the harmony of earth, moon and sun. Displaying the natural influences of nature’s power and elegance.

South Gippsland's "Terroir"

South Gippsland is not only renowned for dairy and beef, but also the giant Gippsland earthworm, which play an active role in the fertilization and airing of the deep mineral-rich soil of the vineyards. The region is blessed with approx.1,000 millimetres of rainfall per annum and a deep, silty loam soil filled with volcanic minerals. High temperatures (mid 30 Celsius degrees) in the summer months are balanced by humidity and late afternoon, cool air from Bass Straight. All these factors contribute to the intense flavours, aromatics and exceptional length in the finish, which are trademarks of Bass Phillip’s vibrant, yet graceful wines.

Dense Vines & Low Yields

This is basically a story of “quality overrides quantity”

High density planting is one of the approaches taken by Bass Phillip to prove that Australia can produce a jaw-dropping pinot that is comparable with the best from the Pinot Monarch – Burgundy, France.

Bass Phillip achieves a cropping level of 1.0 -1.3 tonnes per acre (compared to from 2 to 4 tons per acre average in Australia). We believe this contributes to intensity and length of flavour which is not always prominent in Aussie pinots. Many question the economics of this low level of yield, but when the wine-making is driven by an obsession for perfection and instinctive flair, production costs become secondary.

Although a single vine at Bass Phillip barely makes half a bottle of wine, the highly perfumed nose, robust flavors, exquisite textures, profound complexity and minerality contained in each bottle provide a justification for this practice.

Long Cellaring Potential

Bass Phillip pinot noirs have always managed to improve in the cellar, sometimes for more than twenty years (1985, ’88, & ’89 are currently magnificent). Bass Phillip believes this ability to cellar and mature superbly over extended periods comes from the strong mineral component of the soil and climatic conditions that provide good natural acidity. When young, the wines are not excessive or unbalanced in any way, but develop a blossoming strength of flavour at the back of the palate, as the wines age. This is one of the most attractive features of the Premium and Reserve Bass Phillip wines.

A New Phase Moving Forward at Bass Phillip

As of April 2020, Bass Phillip wines has welcomed the entry of – Jean-Marie Fourrier (of Domaine Fourrier) and associates. In this new phase of growth moving forward, Jean-Marie Fourrier will begin to take an active and primary role in the management of the vineyards and the wine production process as Chief Winemaker of Bass Phillip wines.

Jean-Marie and Phillip share a common approach to wine production, inspired by the great Henri Jayer from Vosne Romanee, and having first met twelve years ago in South Gippsland, they have decided to join forces to carry on the development of fine wines with texture and complexity.

It is indeed an exciting time as Bass Phillip wines grow internationally and will benefit from the combined experiences and skill sets of two truly exceptional world class winemakers and specialists of the Pinot Noir grape.

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Top 100 Wineries in Australia

There are few better places on earth to enjoy wine tasting than in Australia; a country that’s awash with highly acclaimed wine estates producing award-winning vintages amid some incredibly stunning settings.

Wineries in Australia first came to the attention of international audiences after the country’s signature Shiraz exploded on to the scene in the 1980s. Shiraz (known elsewhere as Syrah) still reigns supreme across many Australian wine regions, although their diverse nature has also given rise to acclaimed Cabernet Sauvignon, Chardonnay, Semillon and Pinot Noir.

Australian wineries are scattered across all six states, including the Island of Tasmania, but the epicentre of the country’s wine industry is undoubtedly South Australia – where most recognisable names are based at vineyards in the Barossa Valley, Eden Valley and McLaren Vale. Some of the best wineries in Australia can also be found in the Margaret River region of Western Australia, which is renowned for its Chardonnay and Cabernet Sauvignon, and New South Wales’ Hunter Valley – where arguably the country’s finest Shiraz is produced.

At Wine Paths, our local expert can organise exclusive wine tours of the best Australian wineries, which can include elaborate tastings, luxury stay, fine dining experiences and some unique activities.

Our private tours can be tailor-made to meet your exact requirements, ensuring every detail is taken care of so that you can enjoy the matter at hand. Here is an overview of just some of the wineries in Australia that can be visited.

Australian wineries: South Australia

The Barossa Valley is regarded as the country’s most influential wine-growing regions and home to large scale commercial producers, including Penfolds, Jacob’s Creek and Wolf Blass, among over 150 wine estates. Few Australian wineries are more iconic that the Seppeltsfield Vineyard and it’s famous ‘Centennial Cellar’ – a living museum of winemaking that has stored vintages from every year since it was completed in 1878. Visitors can taste a piece of history by selecting wines from the year of Elvis Presley’s death (1977), the Moon Landing (1979) or the Titanic sinking (1912).

Australian wineries: Western Australia

Margaret River was a relative latecomer that did not emerge as a destination for viticulture until the 1970s, but now has over 155 top Australian wineries with an emphasis on Chardonnay and Cabernet Sauvignon. This is where the famous Cullen Wines have their roots. The winery is certified A Grade Biodynamic & 100% carbon neutral to promote sustainability and bring the purest sense of terroir to the wine. The Voyager Estate not only offers guests the opportunity to sample some of these premium wines, but also take part in a six-course sensory dining experience that charts the story of the estate’s wines from vineyard to glass.

Australian wineries: New South Wales

Hunter Valley is among the oldest of Australia’s wine regions where you will find some of the finest Shiraz in the country, as well as exquisite Chardonnay and impressively long-lived Semillon from some of the best wineries in Australia. The Audrey Wilkinson Vineyard was named after one of Australia’s early wine pioneers, and his legacy is a magnificent estate where visitors can enjoy a behind the scenes tour before being whisked off by helicopter for a three-course meal at one of the valley’s exclusive restaurants.

Australian wineries: Victoria

With over 600 estates, there is a greater list of Australian wineries in Victoria than any other state in the country, largely producing wines from Cabernet Sauvignon for the reds and Chardonnay for the white styles. At the Tahblik Winery, visitors are given a guided tour through the history of winemaking techniques as well as the chance to blend their own bottle before enjoying a meal on-site that has been paired with several premium vintages.

If you are interested in a bespoke tour of Wineries in Australia, contact Wine Paths for more information and inspirational ideas before planning a visit.