Product Information:
Worlds collide in this remarkable wine: an Italian varietal—Nebbiolo—crafted by renowned Burgundy winemaker Jean-Marie Fourrier at his Australian winery. Fourrier has outdone himself with this release. It opens with inviting aromas of dark chocolate, ripe cherry, and plum, all beautifully balanced with a hint of rose. On the palate, you'll find a plush mouthful of flavour, framed by powdery tannins that coat the palate, with lingering echoes of Barolo. Aerate or cellar—time will only enhance the complexity of this wine.
The 2021 vintage was highly favourable, with the potential for high-quality wine. Weather conditions were mostly mild and cool during spring and early summer, warming up through summer and autumn. The growing degree day index was a moderate 1359°C, with 488 mm of rainfall over the growing period. This consistent rain helped maintain vine health. Harvesting began on March 5th and concluded by the end of the month. Ripeness ranged from 13.2 to 14.0 Baume, and while yields were relatively high at 6.9 tonnes per hectare, the fruit enjoyed long, slow ripening, ensuring balance and complexity.
Maker:
The story of Bass Phillip dates back to the early 1970s when its first vineyard site, located 15 kilometres south of Leongatha, was selected based on its ideal climatic and topographical conditions. With South Gippsland's mountains to the north and the ocean to the south, the vineyard enjoys perfect conditions for slow grape ripening. In 1998, Bass Phillip expanded its estate with a 7.5-hectare vineyard, primarily dedicated to Pinot Noir and Chardonnay, with small plantings of Gewurztraminer and Nebbiolo. Today, the total vineyard area spans just over 10 hectares, and Bass Phillip wines are known for their depth, length, and complexity, enhanced by close-planted vines, low cropping, and natural, organic processes.
Since 1993, the vineyards have been organic, and in 2002, they adopted biodynamic practices. The deep, mineral-rich soils combined with minimal intervention in the winery result in wines that age gracefully over extended periods. Founder Phillip Jones spent years perfecting his craft before entering the Australian market, and his Pinot Noirs have consistently earned some of the highest ratings in the country.
Philosophy:
At Bass Phillip, winemaking is rooted in simplicity, low cropping, and minimal intervention. Their wines are true expressions of the terroir, with the mineral-rich soils of South Gippsland, combined with the region's high humidity and cooler temperatures, contributing to the wines' remarkable complexity, length, and balanced acidity. The result is powerful yet elegant wines with mouth-filling textures and sweet fruit flavours, perfectly balanced with a clean, lingering finish.
Legendary Burgundian winemaker Jean-Marie Fourrier joined the Bass Phillip team in 2020, bringing with him decades of experience and a deep appreciation for the estate. His connection to Bass Phillip dates back to 2002 when he first consulted for the domaine. With family ties to Australia, Fourrier saw the opportunity to take over the winery as a natural progression, and since 2021, he has overseen both farming and production, combining French Burgundian techniques with Bass Phillip’s rich Australian heritage.
Nose – Ripe Cherry, Rose, Tar
Dark chocolate, ripe cherry, and plum notes mingle with floral hints, while the tarry notes are just beginning to develop.
Palate – Ripe Cherry/Plum, Dusty Tannins, Alpine Herbs
Soft and supple with dusty tannins and subtle notes of alpine herbs.
Finish – Cool Acidity, Chewy Pucker, Amaro
The finish tightens beautifully, offering a lingering, chewy pucker with each sip, complemented by a hint of amaro bitterness.
A nebbiolo made by a winemaker from Burgundy, go figure. Fourrier at the helm. Quite soft and supple with a cinch of tidy, dusty tannins. Big flavour and sense of ripe fruit and yet a cooling flow of alpine herby acidity takes things away nicely. Tightens up really well, a lingering, chewy pucker continues with each sip. A touch of malt here, the ripeness of fruit a little stewed, but all up the wine delivers satisfying nebbiolo as an experience. - Mike Bennie, The Wine Front, 93 Points.
The Finer Details
Style - Red Wine
Varietal - Nebbiolo
Country - Australia
Region - Gippsland, VIC
Vintage - 2021
Bottle Size - 750ml
ABV - 14.4%
