Product Information:
This is quite a lush Chardonnay, with aromas reminiscent of lemony apple tart and a sprinkle of almonds to greet the nose. The palate is rich, juicy, and full of mouth-filling ripe peach and nutty nougat flavours. A superb drinking experience, but also worth keeping for those who enjoy cellaring.
The 2019/2020 growing season was marked by slightly cooler-than-average temperatures, resulting in wines with excellent natural acidity. Despite below-average yields, the fruit showcased intensity and length. Jean-Marie and the team at Bass Phillip approach each vintage as an evolution rather than a revolution, and the 2020 vintage continues this philosophy, focusing on precision, generosity, and honouring nature’s influence.
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 Phillip’s winemaking philosophy centres around simplicity, low cropping, and minimal intervention. Each wine is an authentic expression of its regional and vineyard characteristics. The deep mineral-rich soils of South Gippsland, combined with the region’s natural high humidity and cooler temperatures, contribute to the wines' length, complexity, balanced acidity, and natural minerality. Bass Phillip wines are powerful yet elegant, with mouth-filling textures and complex sweet fruit flavours. They are perfectly balanced with lingering, clean fruit on the finish, making them exceptional for both immediate enjoyment and long-term aging.
Jean-Marie Fourrier, legendary Burgundian winemaker, joined the Bass Phillip management team in 2020, bringing his knowledge and experience to help develop fine wines with texture and complexity. In fact, Fourrier's relationship with Bass Phillip goes back over 20 years, having consulted for the domaine back in 2002. Fourrier developed an early appreciation for Bass Phillip wines, as it would often turn up as an impressive mystery wine at high-rolling Burgundy tastings in Hong Kong. With his brother-in-law and his wife already living in Australia plus their historical ties, Fourrier felt 'all the stars aligned', when the possibility to take over came. Since 2021, with Fourrier's Aussie brother in-law Adam 'Skip' Francis has been working the grounds, while Fourrier oversees the farming and production adding French Burgundian know-how to the Aussie icon.
Nose – White Flowers, Lemon Peel, Cashew Cream
The aromas evoke a lemony apple tart, accented by a sprinkle of almonds.
Palate – Intense, Lemony, Ripe Peach
The palate is intense, finely woven, tightly composed, and youthful, with dry, savoury, and lemony flavours.
Finish – Cashew Cream, Mineral, High Acid
The finish becomes increasingly mineral-driven, with high acidity energising and driving the palate. Superb balance and persistence.
The colour is medium-yellow, the bouquet complex with creamy lees, cashew nut and lemon peel aromas, the palate intense and finely woven, tightly composed and youthful, dry and savoury and lemony, increasingly mineral towards the finish. The acidity is high and energising, driving the palate relentlessly. There's obvious tannin on the finish adding grip and structure. A superb chardonnay. - Huon Hooke, The Real Review, 94 Points.
The Finer Details
Style - White Wine
Varietal - Chardonnay
Country - Australia
Region - Gippsland, VIC
Vintage - 2020
Bottle Size - 1.5L
ABV - 13.6%
