Bass Phillip Estate Pinot Noir 2019

"The 2019 vintage at Bass Phillip is a ripper. The Estate is excellent. The 2019 wines are essentially Jones's last vintage, and they're a great suite of wines to go out with."  Huon Hooke

"From the original Estate vineyard; 8,500 vines/hectare; specific plot cropping at approx. one tonne/acre. Wine with attractive, rich fruits in the mid-palate, with the strength to improve up to ten years in the cellar. Bottled without fining or filtration.

The exquisitely balanced single vineyard Estate Pinot Noir draws fruit from the extremely low cropping, closely spaced north easterly facing, four hectare un-irrigated vineyard. The wine is vinified in an open stainless steel fermenter with regular plunging to extract colour and flavour. After fermentation the wine is gravity racked into a combination of new (60%) and old French Alliers oak for a maturation period of around 15 to 18 months."  Bass Phillip

"Phillip Jones handcrafted tiny quantities of superlative pinot noir which, at its best, had no equal in Australia."  James Halliday

Expert reviews

"Now this certainly entices with its perfume and depth of flavour. Ripe-fruited, spicy, and full of earthiness. The tannins are beautifully shaped, if furry. Fuller bodied, with a refreshing acidity and good persistence. Lovely wine. Drink by 2031."  Jane Faulkner, Halliday Wine Companion - 95 points

About the winery

Bass Phillip was established by Phillip Jones in 1979 when he planted a small 3.5 hectare plot of pinot noir near Leongatha in South Gippsland. The vineyards are located in prime dairy country and are named after early explorers of the region, George Bass and Arthur Phillip. The estate has grown over the years to around 14 hectares and is now one of the most sought-after producers of premium Pinot Noir and Chardonnay in Australia, producing extraordinary wines one vintage after another.

Bass Phillip is located not far from the sea, but far enough inland to experience a continental climate ideal for grape growing. Winemaking at Bass Phillip is uncompromising and driven by respect for nature. The vineyards have been organic since 1993 and biodynamic since 2002. 

Made in a simple and traditional manner, with low-cropped vineyards, no irrigation and minimal intervention in the winery, the wines of Bass Phillip display flavours that are characteristic of the region and their individual vineyards. Deep mineral-rich soils, natural high humidity, and cooler temperatures in South Gippsland are also part of the magic that delivers the length, complexity, flavors, balanced acidity, and natural minerality to Bass Phillip wines. 

"Phillip Jones handcrafted tiny quantities of superlative pinot noir which, at its best, had no equal in Australia. Painstaking site selection, ultra-close vine spacing and the very cool climate of South Gippsland are the keys to the magic of Bass Phillip and its eerily Burgundian pinots. One of Australia's greatest small producers, they are heading down a new path after Jones sold the assets (winery, stock and 14ha of vineyards) in May 2020 to a syndicate led by Burgundian winemaker Jean-Marie Fourrier (who has known Jones for 14 years) and 2 Singaporeans who already have lucrative wine businesses."  James Halliday