2024 Dawson James Island Belle Pinot Noir

95 pts Trophy!
Great value Pinot from Tasmania's Derwent Valley that picked up the Champion Wine of Show at the 2026 Tasmanian Wine Show.

Price:
Sale price$35.00
Stock:
In stock, ready to ship
Rendering loop-subscriptions

Description

While the Island Belle label from Dawson and James might be a new discovery for many DD customers, the dirt it comes from is probably anything but. These grapes are sourced from the iconic Meadowbank vineyard in the Derwent Valley, a site we’ve championed and loved for years. Consider this the perfect entry point into for Peter Dawson and Tim James; it’s a pure expression of the Derwent, using younger vines and fresh clones that are already showing serious pedigree.

The 2024 vintage was a belter in southern Tassie - dry and slightly warmer than average - delivering fruit with real pop. With 40% whole bunches in the fermenter, there’s a lovely, stalky tension that plays off the ripe black cherry and damson plum flavours. It’s been basket-pressed into seasoned French oak, so you get all that silky texture and a hint of charcuterie-like meatiness without any heavy wood influence.

It’s rare to find a Pinot that balances this much structure with such effortless drinkability. It’s plush and vivid but finishes with a bright, refreshing snap. Having just picked up the Trophy for Best Pinot Noir and Champion Wine of Show at the Tasmanian Wine Show, 95 points from the Halliday Wine Companion and 95 points and a Gold Medal at the 2025 Royal Melbourne Wine Show, it’s clear we aren't the only ones enamoured with it.

We were genuinely surprised at how well this drinks at the price and at this age. Tassie Pinot lovers, you're in very good territory here.

95 points
"As I write this, I've just returned from judging at the 2026 Tasmanian Wine Show, where this particular wine picked up the top pinot noir trophy and the Champion Wine of Show. And it's an absolute cracker... an air of effortless drinkability. The price makes this an absolute no-brainer."
Dave Brookes (Halliday Wine Companion)

95 points - "As I write this, I've just returned from judging at the 2026 Tasmanian Wine Show, where this particular wine picked up the top pinot noir trophy and the Champion Wine of Show. And it's an absolute cracker. Gorgeous ripe fruit (thank you '24 vintage), daubed with exotic spice and struck-flint complexity, high tones of citrus blossom and raspberry and an air of effortless drinkability. The price makes this an absolute no-brainer. It's a great little wine." - Dave Brookes (Halliday Wine Companion)

Trophy for Best Pinot Noir
Trophy for Best Wine of Show
- 2026 Tasmanian Wine Show

Gold Medal, 95 Points
- 2025 Royal Melbourne Wine Awards.

The 2024 growing season was drier than normal with temperatures being slightly higher than the long term average.

The grapes were hand picked on 21st March, three weeks earlier than the previous vintage with both MV6 and 115 clone Pinot Noir being used.

Forty percent of whole bunches were retained for inclusion in open fermenters which were allowed to undergo fermentation with naturally occurring wild yeast. Following a short maceration on skins at the finish of fermentation the wine was basket pressed and transferred to well-seasoned French oak barriques for maturation.

The wine has vivid colour with lifted aromas of black cherries and savoury, bunchy notes. The palate has a creamy texture, combining ripe red fruits with gentle tannins and soft, lingering natural acidity.

Awarded GOLD medal, 95 Points, 2025 Royal Melbourne Wine Awards.

Price Bracket $31 to $40
Type Red
Body Light Bodied
Variety Pinot Noir
Country Australia
Region Tasmania
Australian State TAS
Feature Trophy Winner
High Score
Reviewed By Halliday Wine Companion
Critic Score 95
Size 750ml
Vintage 2024
Closure Screw Cap

Others also liked

Recently viewed

Common Questions

Delivery is free on orders of $150 or more.

For orders under this amount, delivery is calculated at checkout based on your postcode. You can order in any quantity or combination of wines you like. Straight dozens are not required.

We will dispatch your order the same or next business day.

Estimated delivery transit time varies depending on your location. Please review this page for specific estimates.

No sorry we do not have a store front and pickup is not available.

Yes, no problem. When placing your order select ‘Store at Different Drop and Delivery Later’ as your shipping method or reply to the order confirmation email after placing your order with additional instructions.

We stock three different sized gift boxes (single, three bottle and six), all are available for purchase for a flat rate of $8. They look great and make an awesome impression.

To add a gift box to your order, simply add at checkout. The special requests box is your friend, please give us as many details of what you are looking for and we will try our best, or get in contact to discuss it with you. 

If you want to bulk order gifts or if you have any trouble please email hello@differentdrop.com or call and we can try and help.

 

Our warehouse is automated so unless you tell us otherwise, we will ship your order. If you would like us to hold your order please reply to the order confirmation email after placing your order and we are happy to store your order for up to 6 months at no charge. You can review our heat policy here.

Yes, of course. We want Different Drop customers to always be getting the best price. You can see our price match policy here.

No, feel free to mix it up! There is no minimum requirement. You can order wines in any quantity or combination, 1 or 50+ bottles.

No, all prices are set at the full discounted dozen rate already.

If you can't add more wine to your cart it means we are low on stock of that wine. For example, if you are only able to 3 bottles and no more that means we only have 3 bottles left of that wine. If it's a must have, please contact us and we may be able to order more in for you.

Regular Enquiries

Urgent Enquiries

02 8376 8775