Saint and Scholar is a labour of love for Winemakers Stephen Dew and Reid Bosward, the eponymous saint and scholar of the label. Unlike the more traditional Barossa roots of Kaesler, Saint and Scholar is a young and fresh offering centered on 49ha of vineyards in the Adelaide Hills. Under Dew’s and Head Viticulturist Nigel van der Zande’s direction, in just a couple of years the label has undergone major expansion and now includes 10 varietals. This vintage sees a new premium reserve release and a sparkling. Saint and Scholar has opened a large cellar door retail outlet at iconic Adelaide Hills venue Maximilian’s.
A stylish, refreshing, elegant cool climate Shiraz – a wine with modest alcohol, attractive pepper and spice aromas, fine tannins and acid structures which deliver palate length and ageability.
Look
Deep red
Smell
Complex notes of cherries and spice
Taste
Bright fresh cherries, plums and clove notes
Strawberry flavour carries through. A creamy middle palate with fine chalky acidity. Slight hint of sweetness on the finish, but dry enough to make you want to come back for a second glass!
Crisp, grapefruit and rockmelon with hints of nectarine. Good acid drive with a nice mineral finish.
Refreshing, with plenty of citrus, tropical fruits and melon characters on the palate, finishing with crisp, balanced acidity.
A rich palate of melon and hints of citrus, tropical fruits fill the palate, finishing crisp and balanced acidity.
On first inspections, this Pinot radiates bright fresh cherries, red summer fruit of Strawberry and Raspberry, along with crunchy watermelon. Take a closer look, and the wine rewards you with woven twills of autumnal forest floor, herbs and dried twigs, with a touch of earthy spice. The lighter framed structure gives rise to a crunchy acid core that adds spine and excitement.Complex notes of forest floor, boiled lolly, cherries and spices it tight against a line of ultra-fine tannin. This palate is skilfully fruit focused, and with a long silky finish.
A cheeky Chardonnay bursting to life with favoured summer fruits and textural prowess. Rock melon, mango, kiwi fruit and white peach dominate the nose, all fresh and exciting. Confectionary fruit tingles add an element of fun, but balanced by a savoury nutty creaminess. A honey toasted backbone, ensures there is just the right amount of complexity on this wonderfully crisp and pure nose, understated at best.
Exciting flavours of nectarines, melon and citrus form the basis of this mischievous personality. Structural acidity adds life and vitality, along with a flinty mineral edge and phenolic backbone. This is a wine that is jam packed with energy and excitement, yet offers so much more in terms of elegance, ease of drinking and fruit presence. A real charmer.
Look
Golden
Smell
Toasty oak and cinnamon spice
Taste
Flavours of ripe peaches and apricots with honeycomb
This example of Adelaide Hills Pinot Noir is a true expression of the variety, in a region that is gaining a reputation for producing quality wines. The nose is driven by an abundance of complexity, freshness and varietal markers. Fresh raspberry and strawberry lead the way into an earthy spice, moss, bark and forest floor autumnal feel.
Whole bunch herbal/potpourri characters add complexity, along with shades of sage and rosemary. Roses in bloom encapsulate the nose, offering a fresh environmental image. An expressive example, with a ‘grown up’ stature, and addictive personality.
On tasting, the wine leaps out with fresh strawberries, raspberries and cherry pip. Dusty cedar oak offers layers of intrigue, with a distinct creamy angle. The fine integrated tannins offer textural support, along with a balanced acidity adding brightness to the lighter frame work. A slippery wine, with a savoury finishing and long lingering length will please any Pinot lover, or new comer.
Look
Ruby red
Smell
Floral and delicate with bright red fruit
Taste
Bright and lively palate with well integrated tannins and a lingering complex finish
Medium bodied, with flavours of ripe peach, apricot and honey comb, with delicate nuances of oatmeal and almond adding lushness and complexity to the mid palate which is complemented by a long, lingering citrus acid finish.
A medium-bodied styled wine reflecting its’ cool-climate origins. The nose offers complex and concentrated aromas of dark rich berries, with a touch of sweet prunes. A juicy fruit core, with flavours of blueberries, blackberries, fruit jam but with a lightness on the palate of soft pepper. A gentle and silky framework of tannins supporting the fruit. This single vineyard Shiraz, has very limited production, with the only the best fruit being used.Fruit is harvested by hand at first light, during fermentation the wine is only worked on during nights. Pressed ever so lightly to maintain silky tannins.
Steven is a passionate winemaker and has been crafting red wine vintages at Kaesler, Saint & Scholar and Clare Wine Co since 2002. He is especially an expert in old vine and single vineyard wines.
Steven was born in Mildura and has 30 years’ experience in the wine industry. He was hooked from the first time he entered a winery and realised the power of the grape – and the person in the white coat!
He has worked in various wineries in his career including Lindemans, Penfolds and Charles Melton. This has given Steven a wide breadth of knowledge from the science of oenology to the importance of marketing and presentation.
Steven has acted as an Associate Judge at the Barossa Valley wine show. He has also completed a number of vintages at Domaine Prieure Roch in Burgundy.
The Saint & Scholar vineyard makes for a beautiful, spectacular backdrop for our makers. North facing and particularly hilly, you’ll see the fluffiest of fluffy clouds float above as the sun sinks across the valley, making you want to stay long after the day is done.The hilly terrain means in an area of high rainfall, like the Adelaide Hills, water drains rather well. Together with the beautiful sunlight and naturally cool climate, this makes for a perfect, harmonious environment to ripen quality, consistent vines; soon to be quality, consistent wines. Great wine from the Adelaide Hills thanks to the Saint, the Scholar, and their love of grapes.
Saint and Scholar is a labour of love for Winemakers Stephen Dew and Reid Bosward, the eponymous saint and scholar of the label. Unlike the more traditional Barossa roots of Kaesler, Saint and Scholar is a young and fresh offering centered on 49ha of vineyards in the Adelaide Hills. Under Dew’s and Head Viticulturist Nigel van der Zande’s direction, in just a couple of years the label has undergone major expansion and now includes 10 varietals. This vintage sees a new premium reserve release and a sparkling. Saint and Scholar has opened a large cellar door retail outlet at iconic Adelaide Hills venue Maximilian’s.