2025 Joshua Cooper Regional Series Pinot Noir – 95 Points

🏆 95 POINTS JAMES SUCKLING. GRANITE-GROWN PINOT NOIR FROM ONE OF AUSTRALIA'S MOST EXCITING WINEMAKERS. JUST $55!

95 Points — JamesSuckling.com

RRP $55

2025 JOSHUA COOPER REGIONAL SERIES PINOT NOIR — MACEDON RANGES, VICTORIA

Some of the most exciting Pinot Noir in Australia today is being produced by a new generation of winemakers who understand that great wine begins in the vineyard.

And Joshua Cooper is right at the forefront.

His wines have developed an extraordinary reputation for purity, elegance, perfume and genuine vineyard character.

But here's what makes the 2025 Joshua Cooper Regional Series Pinot Noir so compelling.

YOU DON'T NEED TO SPEND $80, $100 OR $150 TO EXPERIENCE WHAT MAKES JOSHUA COOPER'S WINES SO SPECIAL.

This is a beautifully crafted, granite-grown Pinot Noir from Central Victoria.

Dark red cherries.

Black raspberries.

Exotic spices.

Wild herbs.

A subtle smoky, flinty complexity.

And wonderfully fine, powdery tannins.

95 POINTS JAMES SUCKLING.

RRP JUST $55.

It's an absolutely compelling introduction to one of Australia's most talented winemakers.

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

Joshua Cooper grew up surrounded by some of Victoria's finest cool-climate wines.

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

From an early age, Josh developed an understanding of what makes exceptional Chardonnay and Pinot Noir.

But rather than simply continuing the family business, he decided to forge his own path.

He established Joshua Cooper Wines in 2012, beginning with just a single barrel.

And what has happened since is remarkable.

2020 GOURMET TRAVELLER WINE YOUNG WINEMAKER OF THE YEAR.

2024 HALLIDAY WINE COMPANION BEST NEW WINERY.

His wines are now sought after by serious wine enthusiasts, sommeliers and collectors.

And it's not difficult to understand why.

Josh has a particular fascination with the old and established vineyards scattered throughout Central and Western Victoria.

He searches for sites with distinctive soils, interesting growing conditions and the potential to produce wines of real individuality.

And his winemaking philosophy is wonderfully restrained.

THE VINEYARD COMES FIRST.

No unnecessary heaviness.

No excessive extraction.

No overwhelming oak.

Just beautifully balanced wines that express where they come from.

Dash Farms — The Granite Vineyard Behind This Remarkable Pinot Noir

Here's something most people wouldn't know.

THE 2025 REGIONAL SERIES PINOT NOIR COMES FROM DASH FARMS ON MOUNT ALEXANDER.

And that makes this wine particularly interesting.

Dash Farms sits on the exposed granitic slopes of Mount Alexander, also known as Leanganook.

The vineyard is situated at more than 450 metres above sea level.

Its position, altitude and soils create a distinctive growing environment.

And the granite is especially important to the story.

These weathered, relatively lean soils can help moderate vine vigour and contribute to fruit with excellent concentration and natural structure.

Combined with the vineyard's cool growing conditions, they provide the foundations for Pinot Noir with beautiful perfume, freshness and fine tannins.

THIS IS A WINE WITH A GENUINE VINEYARD STORY.

Not simply another regional Pinot Noir blended to taste like everything else.

Here's Something Fascinating — Granite Versus Volcanic Basalt

One of the most interesting comparisons in Joshua Cooper's range is between this wine and his famous Doug's Vineyard Pinot Noir.

Both are made by the same winemaker.

Both reflect his preference for freshness, elegance and restrained winemaking.

But the vineyards are fundamentally different.

DOUG'S VINEYARD — RED VOLCANIC BASALT.

Situated near Romsey in the Macedon Ranges, Doug's Vineyard sits approximately 500 metres above sea level.

Its red, rocky volcanic soils produce Pinot Noir with beautiful depth, floral perfume and fine, velvety tannins.

DASH FARMS — WEATHERED GRANITE.

The Regional Series Pinot Noir comes from the exposed granite soils of Mount Alexander.

And the result has its own personality.

Dark red cherry.

Black raspberry.

Exotic spice.

Woody herbs.

And an intriguing flinty, smoky character.

TWO DIFFERENT VINEYARDS. TWO DIFFERENT SOIL TYPES. TWO DISTINCT EXPRESSIONS OF PINOT NOIR.

And that's what makes Joshua Cooper's wines so fascinating.

The 2025 Vintage — Pure Cherry Fruit, Exotic Spice and Wonderful Freshness

The 2025 Regional Pinot Noir is immediately inviting.

The colour is bright ruby red.

The nose is beautifully fragrant.

Dark red cherries.

Black raspberries.

Exotic spices.

Woody herbs.

And just a hint of smoke and flint.

But the palate is where the wine really comes alive.

There's a wonderful generosity of red fruit.

Plump cherries.

Fresh raspberries.

And beautifully integrated savoury spice.

The acidity is lively and refreshing.

And the tannins are wonderfully fine and powdery.

THIS IS PINOT NOIR WITH SERIOUS CHARACTER, BUT WITHOUT ANY UNNECESSARY WEIGHT.

It's approachable enough to enjoy immediately.

But there's sufficient structure to reward a few years in the cellar.

And at $55, that's a particularly attractive proposition.

The Winemaking — Joshua Cooper's Signature Restraint

What I particularly admire about Joshua Cooper is his understanding that great Pinot Noir doesn't need to be forced.

His approach focuses on preserving fruit purity, natural freshness and the distinctive characteristics of each vineyard.

For the Regional Pinot Noir, Josh describes a wine made in much the same stylistic direction as his acclaimed Doug's Vineyard cuvée.

The objective is clear.

PURE FRUIT. FINE TANNINS. BEAUTIFUL STRUCTURE.

Rather than chasing enormous colour or extraction, the wine delivers elegance and drinkability.

There's enough depth to make it interesting.

Enough savoury complexity to reward attention.

And enough freshness to make you immediately want another glass.

THIS IS EXACTLY THE SORT OF PINOT NOIR I LOVE DRINKING.

95 Points — James Suckling

95 POINTS.

An outstanding rating for a Pinot Noir at this price.

What makes the wine particularly appealing is the balance between generosity and precision.

There's plenty of ripe red-fruit character.

But the wine remains fresh, savoury and beautifully structured.

The tannins are fine.

The acidity is lively.

And the finish has wonderful persistence.

95 POINTS JAMES SUCKLING.

RRP $55.

That's an extremely compelling combination.

Tasting Notes — Dark Cherry, Black Raspberry, Exotic Spice and Flint

Appearance: Bright ruby red with beautiful youthful clarity.

Aromas: Dark red cherries, black raspberries, exotic spices, woody herbs and a subtle smoky, flinty complexity.

Palate: Juicy, vibrant and wonderfully expressive, with plump red cherry fruit, raspberry and savoury spice.

Texture: Supple and beautifully balanced, with an appealing sense of elegance.

Tannins: Fine, powdery and persistent, providing structure without heaviness.

Acidity: Fresh, lively and mouth-watering.

Complexity: Delicate herbal notes, subtle smoke, spice and a mineral-like savoury character.

Finish: Refreshing, persistent and beautifully proportioned, with lingering cherry fruit and fine tannins.

FRAGRANT. JUICY. SAVOURY. BEAUTIFULLY STRUCTURED.

Why This Is Such an Exciting Pinot Noir at $55

I think one of the great challenges in Australian wine today is finding genuinely exciting Pinot Noir around the $50 mark.

There are plenty of pleasant examples.

But finding wines with real vineyard character, beautiful texture and the complexity to hold your attention is another matter.

And that's where Joshua Cooper excels.

The Regional Series isn't simply a cheaper wine produced to fill a price point.

It's a genuine expression of a remarkable vineyard.

The fruit comes from Dash Farms.

The winemaker is Joshua Cooper.

And the philosophy is the same one that underpins his more expensive single-vineyard releases.

AT $55, THAT'S AN EXCEPTIONALLY ATTRACTIVE PROPOSITION.

Cellaring Potential

The 2025 Regional Pinot Noir is already beautifully approachable.

Joshua Cooper describes it as open and appealing in its youth.

But the wine also has the acidity, fine tannins and fruit concentration to reward medium-term cellaring.

My recommendation?

Enjoy some bottles now for their vibrant cherry fruit and beautiful freshness.

And put a few away for another three to five years to see how the savoury complexity develops.

Food Pairing

This is a wonderfully versatile Pinot Noir.

Roast chicken.

Duck breast.

Wild mushroom risotto.

Pork tenderloin.

Grilled quail.

Or a simple mushroom pizza.

My choice?

ROAST DUCK BREAST WITH CHERRIES AND A LIGHT RED WINE JUS.

The wine's vibrant red fruit, delicate spice and refreshing acidity would be absolutely magnificent.

Why You'll Love It

• 95 points — JamesSuckling.com

• Crafted by acclaimed winemaker Joshua Cooper

• 2020 Gourmet Traveller Wine Young Winemaker of the Year

• 2024 Halliday Wine Companion Best New Winery

• Fruit sourced from Dash Farms on Mount Alexander

• Exposed, weathered granite soils

• High-altitude Central Victorian vineyard

• Made in a similar stylistic direction to Doug's Vineyard Pinot Noir

• Beautifully fragrant dark cherry and black raspberry fruit

• Exotic spice and woody-herb complexity

• Subtle smoky and flinty character

• Fresh, vibrant natural acidity

• Fine, powdery tannins

• Immediately approachable

• Suitable for medium-term cellaring

• An outstanding introduction to Joshua Cooper's Pinot Noir

• RRP $55

The Liquid Vibe Verdict

I find Joshua Cooper one of the most exciting winemakers working in Australia today.

And this wine is a wonderful example of why.

What I particularly love is that he's producing wines with genuine vineyard character at a range of price points.

His Doug's Vineyard Pinot Noir is extraordinary.

His Dash Farms Chardonnay is exceptional.

And his Cabernet Sauvignons are among the most interesting wines coming out of Central Victoria.

But at $55, this Regional Series Pinot Noir might be one of the most compelling wines in the entire range.

You get the purity.

The perfume.

The beautiful freshness.

And those wonderfully fine, powdery tannins.

But without having to spend significantly more money.

95 POINTS JAMES SUCKLING.

2025 JOSHUA COOPER REGIONAL SERIES PINOT NOIR.

MACEDON RANGES, VICTORIA.

RRP $55.

ONE OF THE MOST COMPELLING AUSTRALIAN PINOT NOIRS AT THIS PRICE.

Exceptional Wines. Extraordinary Value.