St Maur July 2025 Newsletter

Welcome to our St Maur newsletter for July 2025. In this newsletter:

• • • • • • • • July 2025 Vineyard & Winery Update

                • Pinot Noir, Oak, and The Elegance Of Restraint

                • Current Cellar Door Hours

                • Recommendations from our Cellar

July 2025 Vineyard and Winery Update       

I hope that our members are enjoying winter wherever you may be, just as we are here in the Southern Highlands.

Autumn came and went very quickly, with activity in the vineyard and winery keeping us very busy. The 2025 vintage was one of reduced yield, but great quality fruit. Harvest was busy but not as intense as previous years, with yield at about 70%. I’m happy to report that the quality was very good, and the first phases in the winemaking process are showing great promise for our St Maur 2025 vintage wines. I will keep you posted as they develop in the months ahead.

With winter solstice just passed, the days will slowly start to grow longer. We’re in for more cool days, and we will see a few mists in the Highlands. The mists will lift and give way to golden afternoons, and I’m reminded of the rhythms that define life among the vines – the change of seasons, the vines enjoying a sleep, and the craft and alchemy in the winery that turns grapes into the St Maur wines we love drinking.

In this update, we delve into the decisions we make when we craft our wines. We shine a light on the sometimes overlooked role oak barrels play in the final character of our wines. We also pay homage to the what I believe is one of the most elegant varieties – Pinot Noir. A wine and grape that continues to surprise and seduce, no matter the season.

Whether you’re planning a visit to the cellar door, reaching for your next bottle of St Maur to enjoy with family or friends, or simply taking a moment to warm up by the fire, read on, and I hope you enjoy our July 2025 Update.

Pinot Noir, Oak and the Elegance of Restraint

There’s a reason Pinot Noir continues to capture the hearts of wine lovers around the world. Pinot Noir is both delicate and complex, with a remarkable ability to express the seasons, terroir and the hand of the winemaker, like few others. Here at St Maur, with our cool-climate, Pinot Noir has become our most rewarding, and proudest achievement.

Just like good Pinot Noir wines, the process of wine making is never about being heavy handed; it’s about balance, precision, and restraint. Everything from how we prune our vines, to how we monitor fermentation in the winery contributes to the final expression. One of the most influential, and sometimes underestimated decisions we make is the choice of oak.

And for us, when it comes to ageing Pinot Noir, the answer is clear. French oak over American oak, every time.

Understanding Pinot’s Personality

To understand why, it’s worth revisiting what makes Pinot Noir so special. Unlike bolder, more assertive varietals like Cabernet Sauvignon or Shiraz, Pinot Noir thrives on nuance. It reveals itself in layers; bright red fruits, subtle earthiness, floral aromatics, a hint of spice. It rarely shouts. And that’s part of its magic.

Grown in cool climates like the Southern Highlands, Pinot tends to develop with high natural acidity, fine tannins and a complex aromatic profile. These are delicate attributes, and preserving them requires careful handling throughout the winemaking process, especially during maturation.

The Oak Equation

Oak barrels don’t just store wine, they shape it. The choice between French and American oak has a profound impact on the wine’s flavour, mouth feel and cellaring. American oak (typically Quercus alba) is bold. It’s more porous and imparts powerful flavours; think vanilla, coconut, toast, and sweet spice. It has a looser grain and higher levels of vanillin and lactones, which can quickly dominate a wine if not carefully balanced.

French oak (most often Quercus petraea or robur), by contrast, is tighter grained, subtler in impact, and far more gentle on wines like Pinot Noir. It tends to impart notes of cedar, clove, and dried herbs, while its fine tannins offer structure without overwhelming the wine’s core.

Why We Choose French Oak

At St Maur, our approach to Pinot Noir is to build on what’s already there, through the fruit, the terroir and the season, not mask or dominate it. We want you to taste the St Maur’s vineyard and fruit in the glass; the cool nights, the long, slow ripening season, the minerals from our soils, and the purity of the fruit.

French oak lets us do just that. Its more reserved aromatic profile gives nuance to the wine, rather than dominating it. Its tighter grain allows for slower oxygen exchange, encouraging finesse and elegance over time. And its fine tannins support Pinot Noir’s delicate structure without overwhelming its silky mouthfeel.

In short, French oak respects Pinot Noir’s quiet confidence, and we believe our wines are better for it.

Toast levels of the barrels – the degree to which the inside of the barrel is gently charred also affect the wine. Lighter toasts preserve freshness and bring out floral and red fruit notes. Medium toasts may add a hint of spice and structure. It’s a nuanced dance, and one we consider to suit the fruit.

Pinot Noir for Every Season

One of the joys of Pinot Noir is its versatility. While many of its proponents reach for Pinot in autumn or spring, we encourage our members to see Pinot Noir as a year round option. Its natural fruit, moderate alcohol and smooth texture make it a beautiful match for dishes like grilled salmon, mushroom risotto, or roast duck. Slightly chilled, it’s also a refreshing option for alfresco lunches or late summer evenings.

Pinot Noir is never boring. It tells its own unique story, one where fruit, terroir, and the unique seasons all play their part. And French oak, with a gentle hand and nuance, allows that story to develop further with elegance and integrity.

A Final Thought

As wine lovers become increasingly curious not only about flavour but also about the ethics and craftsmanship behind the bottle, we believe it’s important to share the “why” behind our choices.

Whether it’s our commitment to sustainable farming, our preference for hand harvesting, or our devotion to French oak, each decision is made with a deep respect for the fruit, the land, and the people who enjoy our wines.

At St Maur, Pinot Noir is more than just a varietal wine, it’s our signature offering. It’s a unique relationship we’re proud to invite you into, with three Pinot Noir wines for members to enjoy.

Our most approachable Pinot Noir is the St Maur Saint Series 2023 Pinot – a vibrant, earthy, fruit forward wine that’s a great drop, and ready to drink now.

The St Maur Lot 41 2023 Pinot Noir is our premium release – crafted from select parcels of hand harvested fruit, and aged in French oak for fifteen months. It’s a more nuanced offering which will reward you with layers of cherry and spice on the nose, and elegant tannins on the finish. Complexity will develop further if cellared until 2032.

And In the months ahead we will confirm the release date of our flagship Pinot Noir – the St Maur Mara 2023 Pinot Noir. Named in honour of Mara Panizzutti, the family’s matriarch, we make a very limited release of Mara only when quality is exceptional. The 2023 Mara is developing nicely, and we are confident release should be in  late 2025 or early 2026. One to keep an eye out for, and I suggest members order early.

Current Cellar Door Hours

I am happy to let our members know that Cellar Door hours at St Maur are Saturday and Sunday from 10:30 am to 4:30 pm.

It’s always good if you can let us know that you are coming in so we can make sure you have the best experience. Give us a call or drop us an email.

Please note that tastings for groups of six or more are by appointment only and require you to book ahead with confirmation from St Maur.

Remember you can order your wines online, by email or over the phone. Contact us by email info@stmaurwines.com.au call (02) 4883 4401 or visit us online at www.stmaurwines.com.au

We hope to see our members soon.

Recommendations from our Cellar

2019 LOT 41 Cabernet Sauvignon Merlot

A soft stylish wine with a silky finish and complex flavours. The classic blend of 70% Cabernet Sauvignon and 30% Merlot balance the dark fruit richness of the Cabernet Sauvignon and the velvety, plumy texture of Merlot. The palate delivers upfront berries with a delicate finish. Drink now or cellar to 2031.

RRP $39.00 Bottle                          $234.00 Box of 6   Members discount available for members

Warmest regards,

Marco

This post was written by John Giro