Description
Bass Phillip is a renowned winery in southeastern Australia, specializing in high-quality Pinot Noir and Chardonnay wines with an uncompromising winemaking approach driven by respect for nature.
The vineyards have been organic since 1993 and biodynamic since 2002, with wine production processes guided by cosmic rhythms.
The wines are made in a simple and traditional manner, with low-cropped vineyards, no irrigation, and minimal intervention in the winery.
Bass Phillip wines have entered a new phase of growth with the entry of Jean-Marie Fourrier and associates in April 2020.
Fourrier’s winemaking philosophy follows the practices of the legendary Henry Jayer, making great wines begin in the vineyard and he will take an active and primary role in the management of the vineyards and the wine production process as Chief Winemaker of Bass Phillip wines.
Bass Phillip wines are known for their vibrant fruit, considerable delicacy, and strong minerality and natural acidity.
They improve with age and can be cellared for well over twenty years.
The three wines at the top of the Bass Phillip hierarchy have always come from the same original 1979 main vineyard in Leongatha.
Bass Phillip’s first Pinot Noir was made in 1984, and the first commercial release took place in 1991.
The Reserve, Premium, and Estate Pinot Noirs were separately vinified in the 1989 vintage, following five years of research into the separate vattings.
Gippsland is a wine region and zone named after a former Governor of Victoria, extending from just east of Melbourne through to the southern NSW border.
The modern revival of the region’s viticulture occurred in the 1970s, and it is a vast geographical region divided into three areas – South, East, and West.
South Gippsland is a cool climate area with significant maritime influence, making it ideal for growing Pinot Noir and Chardonnay.
East Gippsland has a more Mediterranean style climate, while West Gippsland is the driest and warmest area.
Soil compositions vary across the region and the principal varieties are Pinot Noir, Chardonnay and Cabernet Sauvignon.
Gippsland is dominated by small family-run estates and has a reputation for fine Chardonnay and Pinot Noir.
The wines of Bass Phillip are endowed with vibrant fruit and considerable delicacy, and evolve and develop dramatically with aeration in a swirling glass or decent decanting.
They are never excessive in tannins or alcohol in their youth, and with age, they blossom gracefully to develop an intensity of flavour in the finish framed by strong minerality and natural acidity.
This Gamay comes from Bass Phillip’s “Leongatha” vineyard in South Gippsland, Victoria.
Bass Phillip uses close planting, low cropping, and natural winemaking.
This wine is filled with dark fruits: it has a soft palate and is attractive to drink young.
Fresh aromas of red berries and spices on the nose.
The palate is long with a clean, lingering finish, followed by notes of wild stone fruit that runs the length of the palate.
Medium to light red/purple colour, with a strongly herbal, red fruit and spice aroma which is fresh, clean and straightforward.
The palate is sweet-fruited and succulent, bright and berry-ish, with a pleasing underline of tannins which are a trifle gritty on the aftertaste.
It would be best with food for that reason.
A very tasty gamay.
– Huon Hooke, The Real Review The Finer Details Style – Red Wine Varietal – Gamay Country – Australia Region – Gippsland, VIC Vintage – 2019 Bottle Size – 750ml ABV – 14.8%
