The best California Chardonnay I have consumed. I will say it, grand cru like .
Complexity on every level. Every part of what makes up a wine melded perfectly to create this classic. Fruit and acid like Fred & Ginger. Purchased on release.. While I enjoyed my other bottles several years back this was on a different level. When I tasted this on release I wrote , has everything it needs just needs to sort itself out. — 6 months ago
Catching up on wines we have had since returning from the Henschke weekend. Brief notes. A seashell note in amongst the stone fruit (peach and nectarine) honeysuckle and warm stone. A layered highly textural wine. Very good and what you would expect from Bass Phillip. The first of 3. Next in a year or two. — 5 months ago
Delectable- this is the Estate Chardonnay not the cheaper Gippsland Cuvée. Restrained initially (more Chablis than White Burgundy) but with air it filled out to be more peachy than citrus. Drinking well at 6 years with another 2 plus years in the tank if desired. This shows that Phillip Jones’s expertise with Pinot extends to Chardonnay. — 7 months ago
First impression: You can tell it’s from a top producer. It’s very refined and deliberate. Not delicate, but doesn’t hammer you. Velvety, with smooth tannins playin wayyy in the background. Like the bass line in jazz. The nose is there, but it it’s not all THAT bold, with notes of blueberry, dark rose, black cherry, and dark chocolate. Color is a deep red with purple melded in the middle. Surprisingly medium/light body, with light tannins, more to the rim and background but the flavors are surprisingly restrained, like there’s a hole in it. Good, but not great. — a year ago
This Cab needs a minimum of hour to breathe, a very drinkable wine at a reasonable price. If you can find this wine … try it you won’t be disappointed! — 5 months ago
Juicy and a little smoky. — 5 months ago
The Reserve is made from 5 rows of vines in the centre of the closely spaced (9000 vines per hectare) north east facing vineyard planted on silky loam. The unfiltered Reserve is matured for 20 months in new Alliers oak. Regarding colour this is mid crimson with tawny notes. A stunning nose - a red fruited perfume (cherry) with loamy Sous Bois notes (compost heap). Those aromatics translate to the medium bodied palate finishing with fine silky tannins. Very Bass Phillip. Obviously in the conversation regarding the best Pinot Noir in Australia. I would give the mantle to the BP Reserve. It should be for the price. One should not approach a BP Reserve under 10 years of age. This is of top 1er Cru and Grand Cru standard. — 9 months ago
Bob McDonald
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. — a month ago