Joshua Cooper Wines - Dash Farms Vineyard Chardonnay - 2023

Mount Alexander has had its name put up in lights by Josh Cooper, it feels. Not much else there, but hey, a qualification. Dash Farms too, perhaps. Dash Farms sounds a little like a country dog kennel for pedigree pooches. And Josh, also with some pedigree, sure knows his way around chardonnay. Spot on medium bodied with waxy texture, some crackle and pop of briny minerality, touches of crunchy honeycomb amongst green apple, lime, preserved lemon and light gingery notes. There’s a touch of hazelnut savouriness and licks of spiced vanilla cream there too. It rolls with depth, concentration and yet lift and freshness. A kind of oatmeal and sea spray thing that in the mix. That spells lots on. It moves with authority and yet a brightness too. And so we have a very complex, compelling and utterly delicious, flavour packed and savoury chardonnay. Top stuff. 95 Points Mike Bennie, The Wine Front The whites from the ’23 vintage are, without doubt, the stars, given acidity is a key factor yet ripeness assured. Here, everything is aligned. Heady aromas, all savoury and floral, of lemon blossom, oyster shell and a little brine, too. In the mix, yellow grapefruit, white nectarine, a touch of lemon oil (I often find that with new Stockinger barrels, incorporated here) and lots of woodsy spices. The palate feels energised, flavours build, there’s a neat tug of phenolics throughout, a fine layer of creamy/nutty lees and a vibrancy to the finish. I could drink this all day. 95 Points Jane Faulkner, The Halliday Wine Front