2023 Bass Phillip 'Depuis' Pinot Noir

“The DRC of the southern hemisphere”
Max Allen

“The greatest Australasian Pinot ever made”.
James Halliday on the Reserve Pinot Noir 2010

"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

96 points – Halliday Wine Companion
Vigneron Jean-Marie Fourrier destems pinot at his Burgundian domaine and at Bass Phillip, in order to preserve flavour and freshness. Not surprising given he was a protégé of the late, great Henri Jayer, who did the same. So, here it is – Depuis 23, which means ‘since’ in French (as in this style started in ’23). Fermented with 100% whole bunches and aged in French oak, 50% new, for 14 months. Given all that, weaker sites would produce something weedy and astringent. Not this. Sure, it’s stemmy with bitter herbs, but it’s also superbly integrated because at its heart is excellent fruit, all sweet and tangy. A little smokiness comes through, aniseed, almost pastis-like, umami/Vegemite and oak spices with raw silk tannins sashaying across the fuller-bodied palate. There’s a density and richness but it’s not weighty. Whole-bunch junkies will be stoked.
Jane Faulkner – Published 23 May 2025

96 points – The Real Review
Deep-ish colour with a tinge of purple in the rim, the bouquet quite vegetal/stemmy, with floral, minty nuances, suggesting a substantial portion of whole bunches were in the ferment. An attractive perfume, albeit on the herbal side of the ledger. The wine is full bodied and loaded with drying tannins that coat the entire lining of the mouth. A high-impact wine of formidable structure and concentration. It will be fascinating to see how it develops with some age.
Huon Hooke – Published 11 Feb 2025

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.