Island Belle is our entry level based on our established winemaking approach and philosophy
The grapes are sourced from the Meadowbank vineyard in the Derwent Valley, Tasmania, utilizing patches of younger vines and new clones that we expect to evolve into Dawson James wines over time.
All of the grapes are hand picked and gently processed to retain a pure expression of fruit and vineyard characteristics. The wines are fermented and matured in seasoned high quality French oak barrels that have been used for previous vintages of Dawson James.
Island Belle Chardonnay and Pinot Noir wines highlight fruit purity, flavour and softness combined with our hallmark bright acidity. They are approachable when young but retain structure for longevity.
Island Belle has its own identity with a label that is evocative of discovery and beauty. The island state of Tasmania and a nod to the Belle Epoque.
2023 Island Belle Chardonnay
2023 was a cool and moist growing season with delayed and rain interrupted flowering resulting in low crops. A cool and dry ripening period ensured that grapes ripened evenly and were full flavoured.
Chardonnay was hand-picked on 12th April with grapes being whole bunch pressed and juice fermented in well-seasoned French oak barriques and puncheons.
Post bottling the wine has unfolded yielding attractive lemon and grapefruit aromas. Nutty, creamy characters follow through onto the palate which is soft and full, tangy citrus fruits balanced by mouth-watering minerally acidity.
2023 Island Belle PINOT NOIR
In keeping with the cool season and modest crop, Pinot noir grapes, MV6 and 115 clones, were fully mature and hand-picked on 13th April.
Forty percent of whole bunches were retained for inclusion in fermentation in open fermenters prior to basket pressing and maturation of the wine in well-seasoned French oak barriques.
The wine has vivid colour and lifted aromas of black cherries and savoury notes. The palate has a creamy texture combining ripe red fruit flavours with gentle tannins and soft, lingering natural acidity.
COOL CLIMATE WINES
Our grapes are grown on the Meadowbank vineyard, approximately 60 kms northwest of Hobart. Its rugged topography is bounded by the fast flowing, pristine waters of the Derwent River. These grapes are used to create our unique Chardonnay and Pinot Noir single vineyard wines.