2025 ISLAND OF SLIDING DOORS Pinot Noir, Tasmania

Impressive Tassie Pinot Noir here, sourced from vineyards in the Coal River Valley and Derwent sub-regions. The Coal River Vineyard was planted in 2017, while the Derwent Vineyard was planted in 1987, with more vines planted in 2015. A vibrant blue/purple hue, the nose reveals notes of spices, herbs, red fruits, raspberries and leaf litter. Seamless and silky, this is quite delicious and there is a hint of a savoury note on the palate. Here we see the emergence of notes of spicy sausages and red cherries along with hints of violets. The wine retains its elegance at all times. Enjoy over the next six to eight years. 

2023 BASS PHILLIP WINES Premium Pinot Noir, South Gippsland

Premium is revealing more aromatics than its siblings, starting with lavender and violets, a hint of pepper and then the cherry fruit rolls in. Full bodied, ripe and rich, with tannins seemingly layered and fine grained, the spicy oak a support act, concentrated and deep yet there’s such freshness and vibrancy within thanks to the acidity. The palate builds, the finish lingers and you hope someone pours you another glass. Beautifully poised yet will garner more complexity in time.

Jane Faulkner

2023 BASS PHILLIP WINES Premium Pinot Noir, South Gippsland

Deep red tinged with bright purple at the rim; a reserved bouquet of dried herbs and dried cherry, still a little in its shell but the magnitude of the flavour and structure is readily apparent. Masses of fine but drying tannins flood the palate. There's a lovely deep core of slightly overripe sweet fruit and the concentration and power of the wine are impressive. It should be cellared a few years to give the bouquet time to develop its full complexity, which it surely will. It's arguably a little overripe—like some Burgundies of recent hot seasons. 30 Jan 2025.