2018 Bass Phillip 'Reserve' Pinot Noir

“The DRC of the southern hemisphere”
Max Allen

“The greatest Australasian Pinot ever made”.
James Halliday 

"Truly pushes the boundaries of Australian Pinot Noir greatness."
Lisa Perrotti Brown MW

"Putting it simply, Bass Phillip has made some of best pinot noir I’ve drunk in my whole life, from anywhere of any age." 
Robert Geddes MW

"Make no mistake about it...these are brilliant Pinot Noirs, undoubtedly the finest being produced in Australia."
Robert Parker, The Wine Advocate

98 Points, Josh Raynolds, Vinous (September 2022)
Brilliant red. A hugely perfumed bouquet evokes ripe red fruits, star anise, incense and potpourri, along with a smoky mineral overtone. Juicy, lithe and sharply defined on the palate, offering alluringly sweet, mineral- and spice-driven raspberry, cherry cola, candied rose and blood orange flavors that deepen steadily with air while maintaining urgency. Conveys a seductive blend of power and finesse and finishes extremely long and precise, with harmonious tannins and reverberating floral, spice and red fruit notes.

Top 100 Wines - 2020
 96 Points, Nick Stock, JamesSuckling.com
An ethereal nose here. This is a very complex and fragrant expression with a layered and detailed style that has abundant flowers, sappy forest wood, bacon fat, wild red cherries, pomegranate and already well-integrated oak. The palate has a very plush, long and lacy feel with very intense red-cherry flavor, bright acidity crunch and a sleek, long run to the finish. Energetic, yet measured, this is terrific pinot. Drink or hold.

Overview
Bass Phillip Reserve Pinot Noir, born from a sparse vineyard yielding 9000 vines per hectare, delivers an exquisite balance and intensity. Cultivated in mineral-rich soils, mainly from five rows of MV6 heritage clones, it echoes Australia's viticultural legacy. Its lively acidity reflects the region's elements—soil, cooler weather, and heightened humidity in South Gippsland. This wine epitomises Australian terroir, merging the vineyard's essence and winemaker's skill into a profound expression. Notably, in 2020, Jean-Marie Fourrier of Domaine Fourrier in Gevrey-Chambertin acquired Bass Phillip, marking a significant shift.