Joshua Cooper - Vintage 2025
The Dash Farms Chardonnay is a winner offering a great balance of generous weight, bronzed orchard fruit and nutty complexity. A satin-like texture was a talking point when tasting with Josh (he puts it down to full malolactic fermentation).
Of the reds, the Doug’s Pinot was superb and my pick of the wines. I love it for its damp wet earth complexity where twiggy forest floor characters meld with spiced red fruit. Beyond the Pinot, event the Cabernets were doing it for us! A variety that sometimes misses the mark with other producers, Josh nails the ‘claret’ style with great ripeness of tannin and an effortless medium bodied build. The Balgownie is quite special, with a pleasantly austere mid-palate bringing shape to the wine which is only enhanced by proper Cabernet tannins.
A great release from Josh. All wines come recommended. Ches Cook, Five Way Cellars.
Joshua Cooper 'Doug's Vineyard' Pinot Noir 2025
Go Doug!
Slippery, refreshing, cool and bright. A sleek pinot noir of compact nature with a sheath of very fine, lacy tannins, tart cherry fruitiness, rose hip tea tang and grip, a little herbal twist somewhere in there too. A lick of game meat and truffle barely there. Elegance and restraint here. Ripper. Drink 2026-2033. 94 Points. Mike Bennie, The Wine Front.
Joshua Cooper 'Dash Farms' Chardonnay 2025
Dashin’ through the snow, on a one horse open sleigh.
A little puppy fat, a little creaminess, the tickle of brine and talc-like minerality. That’s the story so far. Bold perfume, lots of flavour, pleasing, balanced, yet generous. Lemon curd and baked apple, a touch of shortbread and thin, ginger biscuit. Absolute delight, in a fuller profile, yet with all the hallmark vitality expected. Right on. Drink 2026-2033. 94 Points. Mike Bennie, The Wine Front.
Joshua Cooper ‘Balgownie Vineyard 1970 Block’ Cabernet Sauvignon 2025
This could be the last we see of this wine and site? Maybe.
It’s a substantial and quietly powerful wine. Massive inward concentration, inky texture, grippy, silty tannin in a web shaping things, huge perfume of wild berries and mint and chocolate and sooty spice. The palate, a delight, a flowing, sleek thing of darkness, woody spice and savoury things. Dustiness here in a good way. There’s a distinct kind of old school, good school feel here, perhaps pushed through a modern lens, but leaning into more laid back, wine-for-cellaring vibes. And yet, the finesse seeps into things and convinces you to drink now. Compelling. Drink 2027-2038. 95+ Points. Mike Bennie, The Wine Front.
