Bob McDonald

9.1

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. — 19 days ago

Bob McDonald

9.2

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. — 4 months ago

Bob McDonald

9.5

See previous Delectable Note for the 2009 vintage from 88 weeks ago. Similar tasting note with a nose of Compost Heap, Sous Bois and dirty red and black cherry. Still a strong core of energy - could go on for another 5 years. Arguably Australia’s greatest Pinot Noir - definitely of Grand Cru quality. A lovely textured medium bodied palate. Only 40 dozen made. Philip Jones said at the time that 2009 was one of his best vintages, although to be honest he has made a few just as good, if not better, since. — a year ago

Gabby

9.4

Really loved this - burnt ends dinner with saniya (uni toast, steak frites, duck heart, beef curry tacos). Deeper red than usual pinot. Super Smokey on the nose, with cherries, because it’s grown in volcanic soil. Heavier for a pinot, burnt cherries taste, I think light spice? — 3 years ago

Bob McDonald

9.6

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. — 2 months ago

Jeremy Shanker

Sommelier at RN74

9.2

Fourrier in Australia. Worth the hype!! — 6 months ago

John Tan

9.2

Bellyhappychef. Native varietal from northern Italy. Skin contact. Honey. Pear. — 2 years ago

Bob McDonald

9.2

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. — 4 months ago

Bob McDonald

9.5

See previous note for a 2016 Estate in September 2022. Mid to transparent ruby red. A gorgeous fragrant nose - red fruited, stalky, dried herbs. The palate just as gorgeous - all those aromatics transfer to the medium weight palate with medium plus intensity. A class act from Bass Phillip as always. — 5 months ago

Al Doyle

9.2

A much-needed injection of Yarra Valley sunshine into the continuous rain of a London summer. Complex and compelling as always. Maybe a bit more of an alcohol hit than I remember, softening as it sits for a while. — 9 months ago