Bass Phillip Premium Chardonnay 2014

"Remarkably complete, outrageously concentrated and unctuous. It's long and evenly paced, with almost a fatty expression of vibrant stonefruit, lemon drop, melon and grapefruit flavour that lasts long and luscious down the palate until wrapped in soft and finely balanced finish of lively acids."  Jeremy Oliver

Expert reviews

"Quite elemental and primary in its youth, this remarkably complete, outrageously concentrated and unctuous chardonnay reveals an opulent bouquet whose bright aromas of peach, grapefruit and tropical fruits overlie fresh scents of vanilla oak, nuances of spice and a floral, rose garden perfume. It's long and evenly paced, with almost a fatty expression of vibrant stonefruit, lemon drop, melon and grapefruit flavour that lasts long and luscious down the palate until wrapped in soft and finely balanced finish of lively acids."  Jeremy Oliver - 96 points

"Full buttercup yellow colour; the bouquet very rich and overt, opulent and full-bodied, powerful and strong. The texture is velvety and rounded, rich and fleshy. Oak is evident but beautifully integrated. A big, generous chardonnay, slightly old-fashioned in the sense of its full body. (80% new oak).  Drink: 2016-2025."  Huon Hooke, The Real Review - 95 points 

"Less than 100 dozen made. It's both intense and idiosyncratic. Honey, ginger, white peach, brine, cashews; it's rich and sweet-accented and entirely luscious, and yet it frolics with tangy acidity. It's old school, new school and home schooled. The quality is high, but it will part the crowd. Drink by 2021."  Campbell Mattinson, Halliday Wine Companion - 94 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