Product Information:
This Chardonnay is beautifully poised, detailed and focussed with pronounced fragrance and venosity... just delightful. A supple, lithe palate. So seamless, expressive and refined. The culmination of when great fruit meets simple winemaking. Sure, Bass Phillip wines are synonymous with Pinot Noir, but the Chardonnay is right up there with their best. Upon release Huon Hooke said the, "2019 Reserve Pinot Noir lived up to its reputation and price, with the breathtaking 2020 Premium Chardonnay level-pegging with it."
The 2019/2020 growing season was bookended by slightly cooler than average temperatures resulting in wines with great natural acidity. The fruit showed intensity and length, from below average yields. The approach of Jean-Marie and the new team at Bass Phillip has always been that this should be an evolution, not a revolution. Which is how the 2020 vintage should be anticipated, with a focus on precision, generosity and honouring mother nature.
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 - Sweet Yellow Fruit, Cashew Nut, Sweet Oak
multi-dimensional bouquet that incorporates creamy lees, cashew nut, nougat and peanut brittle, mealy and savoury.
Palate - Dense, Citrus and Stonefruit, Nougat
This is fresh with acidity, encased in sweet oak, prettied with floral aromas and driven by stonefruit and lime.
Finish - Lime, Mealy, Steely
Concentrated and powerful, driving and very long, with mouth-watering acidity in harmony with all of the wine's other components.
Mid-yellow colour, with a rich, multi-dimensional bouquet that incorporates creamy lees, cashew nut, nougat and peanut brittle, mealy and savoury, the opposite of simple primary fruit, while the palate is concentrated and powerful, driving and very long, with mouth-watering acidity in harmony with all of the wine's other components. A stunning wine with great density and gravitas. A thoroughly impressive chardonnay in a style that looks more towards Burgundy than Australia. - Huon Hooke, The Real Review, 98 Points
The Finer Details
Style - White Wine
Varietal - Chardonnay
Country - Australia
Region - Gippsland, VIC
Vintage - 2020
Bottle Size - 1.5L
ABV - 14.1%
