Bass Phillip, run by Phillip Jones, is one of Australia’s most well known and respected producers of Pinot Noir. This “Village” wine is the entry level Pinot in the Bass Phillip range, but is still not cheap at $40AU. Then there are three more Pinot Noir wines with the Estate, Premium and then at the very top, the Reserve ($200AU+).

Tasting Note: Lovely nose, bursting forward with cherries, earth and undergrowth with a deft touch of oak. This is pretty good stuff I’m thinking to myself as I take my first sip, but then … the wine has pulled a Houdini and almost completely disappeared on the mid and back of my palate. I take another sip just to be sure and it has happened again, a burst of flavour on the front and then … nothing. Sadly, the same story takes place on night number two.

Like seeing an excellent movie trailer with one of your favourite actors and then when you are watching the movie, finding out they showed the only good parts in the trailer. You already knew it wasn’t the best script, but you expected more for the price of admission. 80/100 Drink: Now