Dawson James, Chardonnay 2020

Description

About the Producer

When Peter Dawson and Tim James met in 1976 while working at Hardy & Sons, they sparked a lifelong friendship that led to the founding of Dawson James, a critically acclaimed Tasmanian winery specializing in cool-climate expressions of Australian Pinot Noir and Chardonnay. With a combined experience of 80 vintages, it's no surprise that Dawson James has quickly risen to prominence as one of Tasmania’s leading wineries for quality and innovation. At its heart, Dawson James is a single vineyard project centered on the Meadowbank Vineyard, located 60 kilometers northwest of Hobart. This area features rugged topography and the pristine waters of the Derwent River. Planted in 1989 with Pinot Noir and Chardonnay, the vineyard sits 70 meters above the river, enjoying optimal sunlight exposure during the ripening season. The unique soil—a blend of sandy loams, structured clays, and sandstone—naturally limits vine vigor, achieving a perfect balance between fruit intensity and acidity. The Dawson James Chardonnay captures the minerality of the Meadowbank Vineyard, showcasing varietal fruit characters enriched by partial malolactic fermentation and finely integrated oak. Meanwhile, the Pinot Noir offers an appealing delicacy, featuring finely woven red berry fruit, silky tannins, and sweet spice sourced from French oak barrels from a Burgundian cooperage. Year after year, these wines attract accolades at international wine shows. Notably, in 2021, the 2018 vintages won trophies at the International Wine Challenge for Best Tasmanian Chardonnay and Pinot Noir. The 2021 Pinot Noir continued this success, winning the trophy for Best Tasmanian Pinot Noir again in 2024.