2025 Joshua Cooper Dash Farms Chardonnay – 97 Points

🏆 97 POINTS JAMES SUCKLING. 94 POINTS THE WINE FRONT. ONE OF AUSTRALIA'S MOST EXCITING HIGH-ALTITUDE CHARDONNAYS.

97 Points — JamesSuckling.com | 94 Points — Mike Bennie, The Wine Front

2025 JOSHUA COOPER DASH FARMS CHARDONNAY — CENTRAL VICTORIA, VIC

97 Points — JamesSuckling.com | 94 Points — Mike Bennie, The Wine Front

RRP $79 | ONLY 550 DOZEN PRODUCED

Some of Australia's most exciting Chardonnay is coming from vineyards that most wine lovers have probably never heard of.

And Dash Farms is a perfect example.

Perched more than 450 metres above sea level on the southern granitic slopes of Mount Alexander, this remarkable vineyard is producing Chardonnay of extraordinary intensity, texture and freshness.

And the man behind the wine?

JOSHUA COOPER — ONE OF AUSTRALIA'S MOST EXCITING CONTEMPORARY WINEMAKERS.

His 2025 Dash Farms Chardonnay is something special.

Crushed rock.

Lemon curd.

Grapefruit rind.

White nectarine.

Baked apple.

Delicate spice.

And a beautiful combination of creamy texture, flinty minerality and refreshing acidity.

97 POINTS JAMES SUCKLING.

94 POINTS THE WINE FRONT.

But there's another fascinating detail.

The 2025 Dash Farms Chardonnay was shortlisted for Noble Rot's Rotters' Oz Top 9 Wines of Australia.

That's remarkable recognition for a relatively little-known vineyard in Central Victoria.

And Joshua Cooper considers this his finest Dash Farms Chardonnay yet.

Joshua Cooper — One of Australia's Most Exciting Young Winemakers

Joshua Cooper comes from one of the most respected winemaking families in Victoria.

His parents, Alan and Nelly Cooper, established Cobaw Ridge in the Macedon Ranges.

Growing up surrounded by vineyards, winemaking and extraordinary cool-climate wines, Josh developed a fascination with the relationship between vineyard, soil and wine.

But rather than simply taking over the family estate, he established his own label in 2012.

He began with just a single barrel of wine.

From those humble beginnings, Joshua Cooper has developed an extraordinary reputation for Chardonnay, Pinot Noir and Cabernet Sauvignon.

2020 GOURMET TRAVELLER WINE YOUNG WINEMAKER OF THE YEAR.

2024 HALLIDAY WINE COMPANION BEST NEW WINERY.

What I particularly admire about Josh's wines is their restraint.

He's not interested in producing enormous wines dominated by alcohol and oak.

Instead, he searches for vineyards capable of delivering concentration, freshness and genuine character.

And Dash Farms is a brilliant example.

Dash Farms — The Remarkable Vineyard on Mount Alexander

Here's something many wine lovers wouldn't know.

DASH FARMS IS PLANTED MORE THAN 450 METRES ABOVE SEA LEVEL ON THE SOUTHERN SLOPES OF MOUNT ALEXANDER.

Mount Alexander is also known by its Dja Dja Wurrung name, Leanganook.

The vineyard looks south towards Mount Macedon and the Macedon Ranges.

And its location is absolutely fascinating.

Although it sits just outside the official Macedon Ranges wine region, the vineyard shares many of the cool-climate characteristics that make the area so compelling for Chardonnay.

The vines were planted in 1999.

They're now mature enough to produce fruit with excellent concentration and balance.

But the most important factors are the altitude and the soils.

HIGH ELEVATION. WEATHERED GRANITE. COOL GROWING CONDITIONS.

The result is Chardonnay with remarkable intensity, beautiful natural acidity and a distinctive savoury character.

Here's Something Fascinating — Granite Soils and Concentration at Low Sugar Levels

One of the most interesting things about Dash Farms is how the vineyard ripens Chardonnay.

The soils are lean and derived from weathered granite.

They're not particularly fertile.

And the vines grow at an altitude of more than 450 metres.

These conditions can limit excessive vine vigour and encourage the development of concentrated fruit.

But here's the important part.

THE GRAPES CAN DEVELOP REMARKABLE FLAVOUR WITHOUT NEEDING EXCESSIVELY HIGH SUGAR LEVELS.

And that's exactly what Joshua Cooper is looking for.

Fruit concentration without excessive alcohol.

Beautiful texture without heaviness.

And enough natural acidity to give the wine freshness and length.

The 2025 Dash Farms Chardonnay comes in at just 12.5% alcohol.

Yet the palate has tremendous depth and presence.

THAT'S THE MAGIC OF A GREAT COOL-CLIMATE VINEYARD.

An Extraordinary Vineyard Comparison — Dash Farms Versus Cobaw Ridge

Here's another interesting detail.

Joshua Cooper grew up at Cobaw Ridge in the Macedon Ranges.

And he knows that vineyard intimately.

But despite Dash Farms sitting at more than 450 metres elevation, its Chardonnay generally ripens approximately one week earlier than the fruit at Cobaw Ridge.

That tells you something important about vineyard location.

Altitude alone doesn't determine ripening.

Aspect, soils, exposure and local climate all influence how grapes develop.

And Dash Farms has its own distinctive combination.

IT'S A WONDERFUL EXAMPLE OF WHY GREAT CHARDONNAY IS ABOUT THE INDIVIDUAL VINEYARD, NOT SIMPLY THE REGION ON THE LABEL.

The Winemaking — Stockinger Oak, Wild Fermentation and Sixteen Months on Lees

The winemaking is beautifully considered.

The fruit was hand-harvested and carefully sorted in the vineyard.

The bunches were partially crushed by foot before being gently pressed.

The juice was then allowed to settle overnight.

Fermentation took place in a combination of new 300-litre Stockinger oak barrels and Burgundian barrels.

And here's where the wine develops its extraordinary texture.

TWELVE MONTHS OF FERMENTATION AND MATURATION ON LEES IN OAK.

That's followed by another four months in stainless steel on fine lees.

The extended lees contact contributes texture, savoury complexity and a beautiful creamy quality.

But the vineyard's natural acidity keeps everything wonderfully fresh.

The wine was then bottled unfined and unfiltered.

MINIMAL INTERVENTION. MAXIMUM VINEYARD EXPRESSION.

And the result is a Chardonnay with remarkable depth, precision and complexity.

97 Points — James Suckling

94 Points — Mike Bennie, The Wine Front

 

It's a compelling expression of high-altitude Central Victorian Chardonnay.

Noble Rot — Among Australia's Most Exciting Wines

Here's something else that really caught my attention.

THE 2025 DASH FARMS CHARDONNAY WAS SHORTLISTED FOR NOBLE ROT'S ROTTERS' OZ TOP 9 WINES OF AUSTRALIA.

Noble Rot has become one of Britain's most influential independent voices in fine wine.

And for a relatively small Central Victorian producer to receive this recognition is significant.

Particularly when you consider the extraordinary depth of Australian Chardonnay being produced today.

Margaret River.

Tasmania.

The Yarra Valley.

Beechworth.

The Adelaide Hills.

And the Macedon Ranges.

There is no shortage of outstanding Australian Chardonnay.

Yet Dash Farms has attracted international attention.

THAT TELLS YOU JUST HOW INTERESTING THIS VINEYARD HAS BECOME.

The 2025 Vintage — Joshua Cooper's Best Dash Farms Yet

Joshua Cooper considers the 2025 his finest Dash Farms Chardonnay to date.

And the wine certainly has a fascinating personality.

There's greater depth and concentration than in some previous releases.

The aromas are restrained but beautifully complex.

Crushed rock.

Lemon.

Grapefruit rind.

Just-ripe nectarine.

And delicate spice.

The palate is dense and powerful, yet never heavy.

Fine powdery phenolics provide structure.

There's a wonderful flinty, savoury complexity.

And the finish is creamy, long and beautifully fresh.

THIS IS SERIOUS CHARDONNAY WITH POWER, PRECISION AND EXTRAORDINARY BALANCE.

Tasting Notes — Lemon Curd, Nectarine, Flint and Crushed Granite

Appearance: Pale straw with a delicate green edge.

Aromas: Lemon zest, grapefruit rind, just-ripe nectarine, crushed rock, jasmine, delicate spice and subtle baked apple.

Palate: Concentrated and beautifully textured, with lemon curd, orchard fruit, citrus peel and savoury complexity.

Texture: Creamy and layered, with fine powdery phenolics providing structure.

Acidity: Bright, persistent and beautifully integrated.

Mineral character: Flint, crushed stone, subtle brine and a fine chalk-like texture.

Oak: Restrained but complex, contributing gentle spice and texture rather than dominating the fruit.

Finish: Long, creamy and savoury, with lingering citrus, stone fruit and a beautifully fine acid line.

POWERFUL. FLINTY. CREAMY. PRECISE. ABSOLUTELY COMPELLING.

Why Central Victorian Chardonnay Deserves More Attention

I find Central Victoria one of the most fascinating areas in Australia for Chardonnay.

There's enormous diversity in the vineyards.

Altitude.

Aspect.

Granite.

Volcanic soils.

Cool growing conditions.

And some extraordinarily talented winemakers.

What I particularly love about Joshua Cooper's approach is his ability to reveal those differences.

Dash Farms isn't trying to taste like Margaret River.

It isn't trying to imitate white Burgundy.

And it isn't simply another generic cool-climate Chardonnay.

IT'S AN EXPRESSION OF ONE REMARKABLE GRANITIC VINEYARD ON MOUNT ALEXANDER.

And that's what makes it special.

Cellaring Potential

Mike Bennie's published drinking window for the 2025 release is 2026–2033.

The wine has the concentration, acidity and structure to reward careful cellaring.

Enjoy it now for its vibrant citrus, stone-fruit and savoury mineral characters.

Or give it several years to develop greater complexity, with more nutty, creamy and integrated flavours.

I'd be very happy putting a few bottles away.

Food Pairing

This is a wonderful Chardonnay for food.

Roast chicken.

Grilled King George whiting.

Pan-seared scallops.

Roast snapper.

Lobster.

Wild mushroom risotto.

Or aged Comté.

My choice?

ROAST CHICKEN WITH LEMON, THYME AND CRISPY POTATOES.

The wine's creamy texture, citrus freshness and savoury complexity would make a magnificent pairing.

Why You'll Love It

• 97 points — JamesSuckling.com

• 94 points — Mike Bennie, The Wine Front

• Shortlisted for Noble Rot's Rotters' Oz Top 9 Wines of Australia

• Joshua Cooper considers it his best Dash Farms Chardonnay yet

• Produced by acclaimed winemaker Joshua Cooper

• 2020 Gourmet Traveller Wine Young Winemaker of the Year

• 2024 Halliday Wine Companion Best New Winery

• Single-vineyard Chardonnay from Central Victoria

• Dash Farms planted in 1999

• More than 450 metres above sea level

• Southern granitic slopes of Mount Alexander

• Lean, weathered granite soils

• Hand-harvested and carefully sorted

• Partially foot-crushed and gently pressed

• Fermented in Stockinger and Burgundian oak

• Twelve months on lees in oak

• Four additional months on fine lees in stainless steel

• Bottled unfined and unfiltered

• Just 12.5% alcohol

• Only 550 dozen produced

• Lemon curd, grapefruit, nectarine and flinty complexity

• Creamy texture and beautifully balanced acidity

• Drinking window 2026–2033

• RRP $79

The Liquid Vibe Verdict

I find Joshua Cooper's wines absolutely fascinating.

And this is a brilliant example of why.

He's finding extraordinary vineyards throughout Central Victoria and producing wines that express their individual personalities.

Dash Farms is one of the most exciting.

A vineyard planted in 1999.

More than 450 metres above sea level.

Weathered granite soils.

And a Chardonnay that combines tremendous concentration with beautiful natural freshness.

What I particularly love is the texture.

There's a wonderful creaminess and richness to the wine.

But the acidity keeps everything precise and beautifully balanced.

And at just 12.5% alcohol, it's remarkable how much flavour and complexity Joshua Cooper has achieved.

97 POINTS JAMES SUCKLING.

94 POINTS THE WINE FRONT.

NOBLE ROT TOP 9 AUSTRALIAN WINES SHORTLIST.

ONLY 550 DOZEN PRODUCED.

2025 JOSHUA COOPER DASH FARMS CHARDONNAY.

CENTRAL VICTORIA.

RRP $79.

ONE OF THE MOST EXCITING HIGH-ALTITUDE AUSTRALIAN CHARDONNAYS I'VE COME ACROSS.