Dense red colour. Initially pooey to smell, then breathed up over time (half an hour) to reveal a complex and deep bouquet of earth, beetroot, cherry fruit and rhubarb. Rich and concentrated palate with the oak now well integrated. This wine will live and develop for many years in my view, although it is starting to drink well now (18 )
regards
Chris
TN:1997 Bass Phillip Reserve Pinot Noir
TN:1997 Bass Phillip Reserve Pinot Noir
Last edited by ChrisH on Sat Jul 31, 2004 7:08 pm, edited 1 time in total.
Chris, this is a wine which has a touch of urban myth about it: arguably the most acclaimed BP to date. Upon release it was a mass of dank dark fruit and tightly coiled power. Were you underwhelmed?
BTw Guest- 1997 as Chris helpfully stated.
On another thread I am contrasting and comparing 1992 Moss Wood with 1995 Mount Mary which is far more fascinating than I would have thought on paper, both undistinguished examples of 2 of the 3 great aussie marques.(Cullen, the other.) The Mount Mary jumped out of the blocks with delicious violets whereas the Moss Wood was sturdy. 2 hours later the Moss Wood opened deliciously and is a terrific little wine-mocha sweet leather, olives, dust: a full panoply of delights-the Mount Mary hardly changed and subdued by comparison.[/b]
BTw Guest- 1997 as Chris helpfully stated.
On another thread I am contrasting and comparing 1992 Moss Wood with 1995 Mount Mary which is far more fascinating than I would have thought on paper, both undistinguished examples of 2 of the 3 great aussie marques.(Cullen, the other.) The Mount Mary jumped out of the blocks with delicious violets whereas the Moss Wood was sturdy. 2 hours later the Moss Wood opened deliciously and is a terrific little wine-mocha sweet leather, olives, dust: a full panoply of delights-the Mount Mary hardly changed and subdued by comparison.[/b]
Neville wrote :
Well it was the only BP I have had that smelled less than great when first opened - so maybe an odd bottle ? That said, it breathed off and on this showing it has some time ahead of it before it is fully mature - I would wait another 3 years before opening a 97 Reserve, although the standard and Premium are much more open and accessible.
regards
Chris
...arguably the most acclaimed BP to date. Upon release it was a mass of dank dark fruit and tightly coiled power. Were you underwhelmed?
Well it was the only BP I have had that smelled less than great when first opened - so maybe an odd bottle ? That said, it breathed off and on this showing it has some time ahead of it before it is fully mature - I would wait another 3 years before opening a 97 Reserve, although the standard and Premium are much more open and accessible.
regards
Chris
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Baby Chickpea
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Thanks for the note Chris.
This is still the highest pointed and best Aussie Pinot I have had. My last note: 97 Bass Phillip Reserve.
Pity the Premium was corked (4 months later I am still waiting for a replacement) as I usually prefer this to the denser Reserve.
This is still the highest pointed and best Aussie Pinot I have had. My last note: 97 Bass Phillip Reserve.
Pity the Premium was corked (4 months later I am still waiting for a replacement) as I usually prefer this to the denser Reserve.
Danny
The voyage of discovery lies not in finding new landscapes but in having new eyes. We must never be afraid to go too far, for success lies just beyond - Marcel Proust
The voyage of discovery lies not in finding new landscapes but in having new eyes. We must never be afraid to go too far, for success lies just beyond - Marcel Proust
