Dawson James Chardonnay 2021 by Peter Dawson and Tim James from the Meadowbank vineyard in Tasmania’s Derwent Valley is a pristine, cool‑climate chardonnay – coiled, mineral and pure, with real quiet power under the hood. It’s wild‑fermented, lees‑aged, 12.5% alc. and rated 96 points by Dave Brookes in Halliday Wine Companion.

Aromatically, Dawson James Chardonnay 2021 brims with citrus peel, grapefruit and lemon curd alongside white peach, soft stonefruit, white flowers and struck flint, with hints of pastry, almond paste and crushed stone. The palate is tightly wound and linear – pure citrus and stone fruits riding “rails of mineral‑laden acidity,” with creamy lemon curd, cashew and a subtle struck‑match, umami edge shaping a long, graceful, sapid finish. It’s super‑precise, deeply flavoured and will evolve beautifully through 2031.

This is the sort of Tasmanian chardonnay that shines with butter‑poached scallops, roast chicken, grilled lobster, rich fish dishes or mushroom and parmesan risotto, where its acid line and flinty detail cut through richness. It is equally at home with soft cheeses and refined vegetable dishes, and at this quality level and 96‑point pedigree, it deserves a place in any serious cool‑climate chardonnay line‑up.