The 2023 Saint & Scholar Chardonnay is a vibrant and modern Adelaide Hills Chardonnay that reflects the winery’s focus on cool-climate freshness, texture and drinkability. Crafted from estate vineyards in the Adelaide Hills and matured for three months in older French oak puncheons, the wine balances bright fruit purity with subtle complexity and minerality. The cool and challenging 2023 vintage ultimately delivered excellent quality fruit with strong natural acidity and aromatic intensity, resulting in a Chardonnay with impressive energy and finesse.
The nose reveals kiwi fruit, white peach and rockmelon layered with grapefruit, nectarine and subtle honey-toasted nuttiness. On the palate, it is fresh yet gently textural with crisp tropical fruit flavours, lemon curd, flinty minerality and a fine phenolic backbone. Vibrant acidity drives the wine through a long, focused finish, while the restrained oak adds polish without overpowering the fruit. Critics and retailers have highlighted its balance between modern fruit-driven appeal and classic Chardonnay structure, with notes of chalk dust, savoury mealiness and mineral freshness adding complexity.
Ben’s Recommendation:
The 2023 Saint & Scholar Chardonnay is a polished and highly approachable Adelaide Hills Chardonnay — fresh, vibrant and beautifully balanced with plenty of cool-climate character. Perfect with roast chicken, grilled fish, creamy pasta, shellfish, pork dishes or soft cheeses. Enjoy now for its youthful freshness or over the next 5–7 years.
