Bob McDonald

9.5

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. — a month ago

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. — 10 months ago

Jeremy Shanker

Sommelier at RN74

9.3

Fourrier x Australia — 2 years ago

Bob McDonald

9.3

My first of 7 bottles from the 2015 vintage and the ultra close planted Issan vineyard of 5 Hectares planted 9000 vines per Hectare. Rich red fruits with bunchy earthy notes. Not quite as impressive as the 2013 vintage (see previous Delectable notes) which Philip Jones called a freak wine. Medium to full bodied. Lots of fine tannins. Have the remaining bottles every year for the next 6 years. — 3 years ago

Bob McDonald

9.3

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

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. — a year ago

John Tan

9.2

Bellyhappychef. Native varietal from northern Italy. Skin contact. Honey. Pear. — 3 years ago

Andy Thomson

9.0

Fruity, good acid. Cold climate at its best — 6 months ago

with Cheryl

Bob McDonald

9.3

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. — 7 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. — 2 years ago