Dawson & James
Dawson and James is the project of Peter Dawson and Tim James, who met in 1976 when they were both working at Hardy & Sons, and where they continued to work alongside each other for 20 years...
They have since moved on to different projects, including Willunga 100 in McLaren Vale for Tim, but have collaborated again to produce the Dawson and James wines in Tasmania. Their shared passion for Australian art, farming, camping and gastronomy, as well as their dedication to fine Australian wine, have combined in this exciting project, and the wines are the proof of their winemaking wisdom and enthusiasm. The wines come from the Meadow Bank Vineyard, which is located around 60km north-west of Hobart, an area characterised by rugged topography and the fast flowing, pristine waters of the Derwent river.
Vineyards
The Meadowbank vineyard is located in the Derwent Valley in southern Tasmania, and was planted in 1989. The site is 70 metres above the river level and the north easterly aspect gives it optimal sunlight exposure for grape ripening. The soil is a combination of brown sandy loams over structured clays and sandstone rock. It has a devigorating nature, helping the balanced growth and structure of the vines. Vines are trellised to single cordon and managed to one bunch per shoot, and yields are kept at less than six tonnes per hectare.
Vintage information
The growing season was cool and mostly dry favouring moderate vegetative growth. Harvest conditions were dry and disease free flavouring optimal flavour development.
Vinification
Following hand picking, 10% of the whole bunches were retained with the balance lightly crushed into a small open fermenter. Fermentation relied on natural yeasts and was managed by regular hand plunging. After fermentation the wine was racked into oak barriques from a Burgundian cooperage, 30% were new, the rest 1 - 3 years old. After a short malolactic fermentation in oak the wine was racked and then returned to the barrels for a further 10 months.
Tasting Notes
The Pinot Noir offers delicacy with finely woven fruit and oak, a creamy texture and flavour of wild strawberries. Complex and layered, with a wonderfully long and smooth finish.
Vintage information
| Vintage | 2010 |
| Grape varieties |
100% Pinot Noir |
| Region | Tasmania |
| Winemaker | Peter Dawson & Tim James |
| Alcohol (ABV) | 13.5% |
| Acidity | 5.6g/l |
| Wine pH | 3.95 |
Trade customers
Liberty Wines customers can order this wine directly from us.