Saint & Scholar With Honours Pinot Noir 2022
- 93
- $45
- Drink by: 2025-2033
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From another stellar vintage, the estate blends various clones, notably 777 and 114, for those who like such information. A year maturing in French oak puncheons, with a significant contribution from those which are new, is the usual MO here. For me, this is slightly more refined, offering more finesse and elegance, than the previous vintage and, although both are of excellent quality, my personal preference would lean to this release. No doubt, others will opt for the 2021. Both will please. A crimson/garnet, there are red fruits to the fore here. Raspberries, cranberries, cherries, and with support from dried herbs and undergrowth notes. Still fresh, there is good focus and balance here with very fine tannins, impressive oak integration, a line of bright acidity and a persistent finish. For me, even more to like here, though it really is toss a coin stuff. This has six to eight years ahead of it and there is room for it to improve further over that time.
Ken was born and bred in Brisbane, Queensland. He had a non-trendy, perfectly happy childhood, in a family convinced alcohol meant instant condemnation to Hades. But a break fishing on the Great Barrier Reef, and some good wine, started a serious obsession that eventually took over. It did not stop Ken being chastised later for drinking Pol champagne, disgusted he’d drink anything made by a Cambodian dictator. Now, Ken mostly writes on wine, champagne and spirits for various newspapers, magazines and books, but is perhaps best known for his work in The Courier Mail. He also has a little sideline writing on cigars, fishing, travel and food. When not writing, fly-fishing for trout in NZ or bonefish on the flats of Cuba, travelling or smoking cigars, he is no doubt following a variety of sporting teams – the occasionally glorious Queensland Reds rugby, the dysfunctional Washington Redskins, the dodgy Arsenal and especially revels in the world restored to its proper axis with the return of the Ashes to their rightful home.
