Bass Phillip

Gaja

Rossj - Bass Langhe Chardonnay Sauvignon Blanc 2018

Ming L
9.3

Charming chard from the Piedmonte icon. Aromatic nose, thanks to a dash of SB, with peach, lemon curd, hint of mix tropical fruits, almond, and white floral. Nicely textured medium to full body. Refreshing round acidity. Seamless from start to finish. — 18 days ago

Andrew, Bob and 6 others liked this

Yeringberg

Red Bordeaux Blend 2001

So lovely! Opened after working at Yeringberg showing the 2022 wines (which were amazing!). So delicate and velvety with rich tertiary characters. Fruit still vibrant showing dark berries. Awesome! — 2 months ago

Yarra Yering

Dry Red Wine No°2 Shiraz Blend 2022

At the Yarra Yering dinner in Brisbane last Thursday 3rd October 2024 with winemaker Sarah Crowe. A blend of Shiraz, Viognier, Mataro and Marsanne. The original vineyards of Shiraz and Marsanne were established in 1969 with additional vineyards of Mataro and Viognier planted from 1984 to 1995. A lovely red berried perfume (raspberry) with some stalks added back in. Interestingly some fermenters have added frozen Viognier skins to the bottom, some have Marsanne skins. Sarah is always wanting to push the envelope with her winemaking. A classic Rhone style, blended with perfume in mind. Red wine of the year from the Halliday Wine Companion and awarded 99 points from Philip Rich from that publication. — 2 months ago

Daniel, David and 21 others liked this

Bindi

Quartz Macedon Ranges Chardonnay 2015

At my 2015 Chardonnay Challenge the Bindi Quartz was the consensus winner from 6 Chardonnays. Ripe grapefruit and mineral - very balanced. Finishes with a touch of moreish salinity. Quite an achievement to finish No. 1 in this field. — 3 months ago

Tom, Tom and 17 others liked this

By Farr

Chardonnay 2023

Big and compact but yet to come unfurl and gel. There is a sharp line of acidity, but also a broad palate. Full bodied and long. +2-3 points in 5 years — 21 days ago

Bindi

Original Vineyard Pinot Noir 2008

Classic Bindi. Absolutely delightful and at its peak — 2 months ago

Yarra Yering

Dry Red N°1 Cabernet Sauvignon Blend 2022

The final wine at the Yarra Yering dinner in Brisbane last Thursday night 3rd October 2024 with winemaker Sarah Crowe. Fitting that Dry Red No. 1 should be the final wine - arguably the Jewel in the Crown. Initial aromatic impressions are gorgeous. This is the 50th vintage of Dry Red No. 1. A blend of Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Malbec and Petit Verdot. Brief notes - blackberry, aniseed and bay leaf. A medium bodied Cabernet with M+ intensity and finishing with fine boned tannin structure. Power with poise, concentration with finesse. Will live for 20 years plus. I have been buying on an irregular basis for many years. The 1990 was a highlight. I asked Sarah, who was Chairman of the Royal Sydney Wine Show this year to compare 3 of the main Cabernet producing areas in Australia - Yarra Valley leafy fragrance, Coonawarra Mint, and Margaret River herbaceousness. At Restaurant Dan Arnold. — 2 months ago

Tom, David and 19 others liked this
Helen Arvanitopoulos

Helen Arvanitopoulos

I want to know where this dinner was. Beyond jealous. Just saw all the wines. Amazing
Bob McDonald

Bob McDonald Influencer Badge

@Helen Arvanitopoulos The dinner was at Restaurant Dan Arnold in Brisbane, Helen. Dan is an Australian who spent many years working at Michelin starred restaurants in France before returning home and opening his own restaurant.
Helen Arvanitopoulos

Helen Arvanitopoulos

Love it. Well hopefully when I'm back in Sydney I can check out a few similar events

Porter-Bass

Estate Russian River Valley Chardonnay 2021

Jeremy Shanker
9.2

Could be blinded as Puligny! — 2 hours ago

Tom and Severn liked this

Yarra Yering

Underhill Shiraz 2016

Ron R
9.4

It’s been years since I tasted this wine. Indeed, I was drinking the stuff made by Dr Bailey Carrodus before he passed. I’m pleased to note that the current winemaker hasn’t stepped off the reservation.
Nose is brambly and dense. Notes of figs, dates and cedar waft from the glass. Not as dense on the mid-palate as i recall, but well balanced, with no overbearing oak. Texture on the palate invokes a crunchy mouthfeel. This will benefit from more cellaring, but drinking very well right now.
Thanks to @Bob McDonald for reminding me how much I have missed this wine.
— a month ago

Tom, Norman and 29 others liked this
Norman Gennaro

Norman Gennaro Premium Badge

Been years since I’ve tried one of these. Nice to see.
Ron R

Ron R Influencer Badge Premium Badge

I forgot to mention that it comes with a screw cap. I used my Coravin screw cap closure for the first time and it’s great. That Coravin innovation has revolutionized my wine tasting.
Bob McDonald

Bob McDonald Influencer Badge

@Ron R Thanks for the reference Ron. I can say again that Sarah Crowe is a more than worthy successor to the legendary Dr Bailey Carrodus as winemaker. It was a privilege to sit next to her at the recent Yarra Yering dinner in Brisbane. It’s great you can source YY in the USA.

Bass Phillip

The Estate Pinot Noir 2018

Brief notes. Great Pinot from the Giant Steps Applejack Vineyard are an annual event these days. The 2023 vintage has just been awarded Halliday’s Pinot Noir of the year. This wine was pale to mid crimson. Red cherry. Essence of Pinot Noir and one of Australia’s best. The reputation set up by Steve Flamsteed and carried on by Melanie Chester and the new ownership in the USA. Sweet sappy red fruits. Medium weight. Very good. — 3 months ago

Anthony, Ming and 14 others liked this