The 2021 Dawson James Chardonnay is one of Tasmania’s benchmark Chardonnays, sourced from estate vineyards in the Coal River Valley and Derwent Valley. Winemaker Peter Dredge has built a reputation for crafting wines of precision and restraint, and the 2021 vintage is a superb example of his style. Whole-bunch pressing, wild fermentation and careful maturation in French oak combine to create a Chardonnay that balances intensity with remarkable finesse.
The nose reveals white peach, nectarine and lemon curd alongside notes of struck flint, cashew and citrus blossom. The palate is layered and finely structured, combining vibrant stone fruit with bright natural acidity and a distinctive mineral backbone. Hints of hazelnut, oyster shell and subtle oak complexity add depth, while the finish is long, precise and effortlessly elegant. The 2021 vintage is widely regarded as one of Tasmania’s strongest recent releases for Chardonnay.
Ben’s Recommendation:
A world-class Australian Chardonnay that beautifully balances power, precision and complexity. Refined and highly age-worthy, it pairs superbly with lobster, scallops, roast chicken, turbot and creamy seafood dishes. Enjoy now with a brief decant, or cellar through 2035–2040 as it develops additional texture, complexity and savoury depth.
