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. — 4 months ago
Mid Ruby red with a lighter rim. Red fruits - cherry and strawberry - some bunchy, Sous Bois notes - not dissimilar to the William Downie last night. Another East Gippsland Pinot (“when in Rome, do as the Romans”). Young but from a good vintage with much promise - more development in the pipeline. A light to medium weight sappy palate with good Gippsland terroir coming through. — a year ago
Fruity, good acid. Cold climate at its best — 7 months ago
Purchased whole visiting the Sonoma tasting room in Aug 2023. Enjoyed last night 5/27/24. — 8 months ago
Blend of Zinfandel, Cabernet Sauvignon, Syrah, Malbec, Petite Sirah, and Petite Verdot, deep Ruby color, with aromas of black fruits, spice and cedar notes, aged for 16 months in American and French oak. On the palate flavors of blackberry, black cherry, licorice, cedar and spice. Medium+ finish, fine tannins, ending with fruit, oak, spice and slight earthy tobacco notes. — a year ago
Always a tasting highlight having a Bass Phillip Reserve Pinot Noir the leading Pinot Noir in Australia although the competition is coming. See previous Delectable note. It pours a medium red with a distinct tawny edge. Barb said red fruits (cherry) and bunchy. I certainly agree on both counts. All BP Reserves are special but the 2012 is not one of the greats. - perhaps a little bunchy, to be ultra picky. — 2 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. — 8 months ago
Currently about 5 hours east of Melbourne in east Gippsland tasting this brilliant William Downie Pinot Noir. See several previous Delectable notes from earlier vintages. This wine manages to combine light to medium weight with medium plus intensity. Red fruited with Sous Bois. Downie is a gifted winemaker working in an excellent terroir for Pinot Noir. Would like to have more access to his wines up in Queensland. — a year ago
Jason Phillips
Well-balanced Pinot. Wonderful accompaniment to a nice meal of spaghetti squash. — 6 days ago