Bass Phillip leads with its chin

The back-label of Bass Phillip’s newly released 2019 Reserve Pinot Noir reads: “The Reserve is Australia’s leading pinot noir.”Well, it’s important to believe in your product!If they mean ‘leading’ in terms of price, they’re right. No other Aussie pinot comes within coo-ee of its AUD $825 price tag.Some might see it as an example of leading with your chin. So how good is this wine?In a word, spect…

New Release 2020: The Evolution Begins

Bass Phillips 2020 vintage is really one of transition. Being the final vintage of previous owner Phillip Jones who managed the vineyards and winery until the end of harvest before handing over the reins to Jean-Marie Fourrier and his team, for the elevage and blending. Get privileged access to the latest Bass Phillip 2020 wines when you SIGN UP or LOGIN as a Club Member today. Limited…

New Release 2019: A Vintage of Transition

Early access for Bass Phillip Club Members.Just as dormant grapevines awaken to breaking buds, the 2019 vintage is one of transition with the promise of a new dawn. With the well-deserved retirement of our founder Phillip Jones, the year's winemaking was a collaboration between Mr Jones and our new Chief Winemaker, Jean-Marie Fourrier. Bringing the same uncompromising passion for quality at every…

The DRC of the southern hemisphere

Australia's most famous Pinot producer has changed hands. Max finds out what is planned, and hoped for.When I visited Phillip Jones at Bass Phillip vineyard in Gippsland, south-east of Melbourne, in late February, the 74-year-old winemaker gave no indication he was in the final, stressful stages of selling his beloved business. Instead, Jones was in fine form. Entertainingly irascible as ever, he…

New release of the 2018 vintage is now available to Bass Phillip Club Members

The 2018 harvest produced an abundance of fruit of extremely high quality. More importantly, these fruit exhibited secondary flavours which resulted in wines that are imbued with femininity and length, balanced with good natural acidity, finishing harmoniously across the palate. Textured and long, the wines are outstanding and should improve well in the cellar over the next five to ten years.…