Bass Phillip Premium Chardonnay 2022

Product Information: Loads of flavour here, white peach, baked quince, lemon, lime and grapefruit juice, zest and pith with ginger and oak spice. It’s perfumed with a twist of lemon with peachy, nectarine base notes and a hint of nougat. The palate is incredibly focused by a core of acid that provides drive and length with a supple lithe mid palate and delicious flavours that mirror the nose run the length of the palate. Certainly, made for the long haul…but enjoyable now. 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. Vineyard: 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. Jean-Marie Fourrier, a renowned winemaker, joined the Bass Phillip management team in 2020, bringing his knowledge and experience to help develop fine wines with texture and complexity. Fourrier’s relationship with Bass Phillip goes back over 20 years, having consulted for the domaine back in 2002. Fourrier describes his 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, so ‘when the possibility to take over came, along with that historical link – and with his brother-in-law and his wife already living in Australia – all the stars aligned.’ Since 2021, with Fourrier’s Aussie brother in-law Adam ‘Skip’ Francis on the ground, Fourrier has been able to oversee the farming and production of an Aussie icon, while adding Burgundian know-how. Nose – White Peach, Baked Quince, Grape Fruit Juice Loads of flavour from white peach, baked quince, lemon, lime and grapefruit juice, zest and pith with ginger and oak spice. Palate – Creamy, Lees, Shortcrust Pastry Complex mouth-watering ripe peach flavours fill the palate and certainly made to be enjoyed now. Finish – Oak Spice, Ginger, Toffee A hint of toffee but also with some bright citrus notes wafting in the background. A powerhouse of a wine with a mid-gold hue, loads of flavour from white peach, baked quince, lemon, lime and grapefruit juice, zest and pith with ginger and oak spice. Good fruit within, yet ultimately savoury with creamy nutty lees and baked shortcrust pastry. Slippery phenolics add to the full-bodied palate. It’s rich but by no means heavy, complex and detailed, contemplative, too. It’s also the last complete vintage for John Durham, who originally came to help Philip Jones with the change-over of ownership but stayed on during the COVID years. He left in late ‘23. Durham helped put mod-Oz chardonnay on the map back in the early Cape Mentelle days, and this is an excellent swan song. – Jane Faulkner, Halliday 97 Points. The Finer Details Style – White Wine Varietal – Chardonnay Country – Australia Region – Gippsland, VIC Vintage – 2022 Bottle Size – 750ml ABV – 13.2%