Overview
One of Australia’s benchmark Pinot Noirs, Bass Phillip Reserve Pinot Noir 2016 is a profoundly concentrated yet finely detailed expression of South Gippsland. Produced from an exceptionally low-yielding vineyard, the Reserve combines remarkable fruit density with natural acidity, mineral depth and the silken texture that defines Bass Phillip at its highest level.
The 2016 vintage received exceptional critical acclaim, led by 99 points from James Halliday. With its perfume, intensity and capacity to evolve over decades, this is a highly collectible Australian Pinot Noir with significant cellaring potential.
Vineyard
The Reserve Pinot Noir comes from Bass Phillip’s original Estate vineyard at Leongatha in South Gippsland. The Reserve is drawn from designated rows within this remarkably low-yielding vineyard, planted at approximately 9,000 vines per hectare and yielding around 270 grams of fruit per vine.
Deep mineral soils contribute to the intensity and concentration of the fruit. The Reserve is primarily based on five rows of MV6 heritage-clone Pinot Noir, derived from historic vine material introduced to Australia by James Busby in the 19th century.
Winemaking
The Reserve Pinot Noir was matured in new Allier French oak for up to 20 months and bottled unfiltered.
Producer Tasting Notes
“Typically this wine possesses an extraordinary multi-dimensional experience with superb fruit density and beautiful silken tannins. Expect evolution in the glass, with aromas of pure, dark cherries, red plums and cranberries, before transforming into frankincense, wood varnish and gardenias.”
— Bass Phillip
Critic Reviews
99/100 — James Halliday, Halliday Wine Companion
“An extravagantly beautiful wine that floats across the senses making the Premium seem (improbably) uncouth on the way past. Its perfume is no false dawn, its flavours drawn across the palate by silken threads...”
Tasted 10 July 2018
94/100 — Campbell Mattinson, The Wine Front
“A power of fruit, a power of oak, powerful tannin and a sustained finish... This pinot noir tastes of smoky vanilla and cranberry, mineral, spice, red/black cherry and orange rind.”
Tasted May 2018
James Suckling
“The nose on this Reserve bottling switches to a different gear with ethereal and entrancing floras, which intermingle with strawberries, wild cherries, pomegranate, citrus zest and lightly spiced earthy notes... The palate has the same seductive effect.”
Tasted June 2018
Producer
Bass Phillip is a benchmark Australian Pinot Noir producer based in Leongatha, South Gippsland. Its wines are characterised by vibrant fruit, delicacy, minerality, natural acidity and an ability to develop over extended periods in the cellar.
The Estate, Premium and Reserve Pinot Noirs originate from designated rows and sub-plots within the original 3.5-hectare Estate vineyard, planted in 1979. Bass Phillip made its first Pinot Noir in 1984, establishing a distinctive approach centred on the expression of its cool South Gippsland site.
Specifications
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Vintage: 2016
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Producer: Bass Phillip
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Country: Australia
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Region: Victoria, Gippsland
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Grape: 100% Pinot Noir
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Alcohol: 13.1%
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Sweetness: Dry
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Vineyard: Bass Phillip Estate Vineyard, Leongatha
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Vine Density: Approximately 9,000 vines per hectare
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Yield: Approximately 270g of fruit per vine
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Clone: Primarily MV6 heritage clone
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Maturation: Up to 20 months in new Allier French oak
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Production Attribute: Unfiltered
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Cellaring: Through 2046
