Overview
The 2024 Dexter Chardonnay is a single vineyard Mornington Peninsula Chardonnay from Tod and Debbie Dexter's Tuerong site. Built from P58, I10V5 and small portions of Bernard clones, it combines cool-climate precision, layered stone fruit, sea-spray freshness and finely handled French oak texture.
Vintage & Winemaking
The 2024 growing season began with mild spring temperatures, followed by heavy rainfall from December to February. While disease pressure was high across the region, Dexter's lower-elevation, northern Mornington Peninsula site retained clean, disease-free fruit. Cool late-summer temperatures allowed ideal ripening, with high natural acidity and strong concentration.
Each Chardonnay clone was picked separately at optimal ripeness, then whole-bunch pressed into separate tanks. The juice was transferred to 500L French oak puncheons, with 20% new oak, 30% second use and 50% older oak. Some barrels underwent natural malolactic fermentation, with 50% completing MLF. The wine remained on yeast lees until December before bottling in early January 2025, 11 months after harvest.
Product Highlights
- Single vineyard Chardonnay from Dexter's Mornington Peninsula estate.
- 93 points from The Wine Front.
- 92 points from Winepilot.
- P58, I10V5 and Bernard Chardonnay clones.
- Whole-bunch pressed and fermented in 500L French oak puncheons.
Critic Scores & Reviews
93 Points - The Wine Front
2024 Vintage. Tasted December 2025.
92 Points - Winepilot
"Lemon cream biscuits and buttermilk follow, carried by an electric charge of acidity..." Tasted September 2025.
Bronze Medal - Melbourne Royal Show
2024 Vintage. Awarded 2025.
Tasting Notes
Nose
Freshly cut peaches, white flowers and sea spray, with nougat, river pebbles, Thai basil, fennel and wild mint.
Palate
Pithy white stone fruit, mint fudge and lime zest glide across a tightly coiled palate. Lemon curd and mineral detail add depth, while natural acidity brings freshness and line.
Finish
Layered, refreshing and precise, with concentration, purity and a long mineral finish.
Food Pairing
Pairs well with mushrooms, roast chicken, creamy pasta, seafood, grilled white fish and dishes with lemon or butter sauce.
Cellaring Potential
Enjoy now for freshness and detail, or cellar carefully for further complexity.
About Dexter Wines
Dexter Wines is based at Tuerong on the Mornington Peninsula, where Tod and Debbie Dexter planted Chardonnay and Pinot Noir in 1987. Tod Dexter's experience includes seven years at Cakebread Cellars in Napa Valley and a decade as head winemaker at Stonier Wines. The Dexter vineyard is planted on a north-facing slope, shaped by natural drainage, cooling sea breezes and careful site management.
Specifications
- Producer: Dexter Wines
- Vintage: 2024
- Country: Australia
- Region: Mornington Peninsula, Victoria
- Grape Variety: Chardonnay
- Clones: P58 43%, I10V5 54%, Bernard 96 and 277 3%
- Wine Style: White Wine - Buttery and Complex
- Oak Maturation: 500L French oak puncheons, 20% new
- Alcohol: 13.2%
- pH: 3.14
- Total Acidity: 7.6g/L
- Sweetness: Dry
- Bottle Size: 750ml
