2023 Koerner Watervale Riesling

Highly Rated
A unique expression of Clare Valley Riesling from the Watervale sub-region. This has texture and breadth unlike any other Riesling in the region. Fascinating and delicious!
4.5
Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars
2 Reviews

Price:
Sale price$38.00
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In stock, ready to ship
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Description

The Koerner Riesling is grown on the Koerner family vineyard, Gullyview, in Watervale, Clare Valley.

This vineyard has been farmed by the Koerners for 35 years, the sons Damon and Jonathan are intimate with the fruit and it shows. This is Watervale Riesling with more character and texture than the 'classic' styles of wine the region is famous for.

The fruit spent 6 hours on skins and was fermented and aged in a combination of stainless steel and ceramic amphora for 2 months. No fining, filtering or additions apart from a smidge of sulphur. It has texture and vitality and a load of interest. It's an alternative look at a staple of the Australian wine landscape by a family-owned operation. Great stuff.

95 points
"This was fermented wild in both stainless steel and ceramic amphora. In flavour terms, it's as classic as they come, with lemon and lime flavours given some extra bite courtesy of bath-salt-like characters. It hits up well but saves its most impressive burst of flavour for the finish, always the clearest sign of quality."
- Campbell Mattinson (Halliday Wine Companion)

95 points
"A potency to this wine, texture and savoury elements with strong currency of green apple, tart lime and gingery spice woven through...It feels so distinct from run-of-the-mill Clare Valley riesling archetypes, delivering complexity through its various elements, and yet so composed. Excellent."
- Mike Bennie (The Wine Front)

Riesling but not as you know it - aromatic with texture and spice

Vineyard: Gullyview, Parish Vineyards, Watervale

Blocks: Grace, Parish & Gullyview

Planted: 1973, 1923 & 1973

Soil type: Red clay on limestone (Gullyview & Grace), Red clay on slate and iron stone (Parish)

Picking date: March 10, 11 & 12, 2023

Picking method: Hand harvested and sorted in vineyard

Processing: Crush and destem

Time on skins: 6 hours in press

Pressing: Free run only, minimal press rotations

Cooling / settling: Cold settled off dirt and heavy solids for 3 days

Fermentation: Natural ferment in Steel & ceramic amphora for 2 months

Aging vessel: Stainless steel on fine lees for 6 months

Bottled: 14/12/2023

Filtration: Sterile

Fining: No

Alc: 11.6

pH: 3.11

TA: 7.1

SO2: 30 free / 65 total

Production: 1500 dozen

95 points - "This was fermented wild in both stainless steel and ceramic amphora. In flavour terms, it's as classic as they come, with lemon and lime flavours given some extra bite courtesy of bath-salt-like characters. It hits up well but saves its most impressive burst of flavour for the finish, always the clearest sign of quality." - Campbell Mattinson (Halliday Wine Companion)

95 points - "Brought to life through the Gullyview and Parish Vineyards of Clare Valley. Now in screwcap closure.

A potency to this wine, texture and savoury elements with strong currency of green apple, tart lime and gingery spice woven through. A faint accord of hazelnut nuttiness, a lick of creaminess and yet crisp edges and a brittle core of mineral charged acidity. It feels so distinct from run-of-the-mill Clare Valley riesling archetypes, delivering complexity through its various elements, and yet so composed. Excellent." - Mike Bennie (The Wine Front)

Customer Reviews

4.5
Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars
Based on 2 reviews
Total 5 star reviews: 1 Total 4 star reviews: 1 Total 3 star reviews: 0 Total 2 star reviews: 0 Total 1 star reviews: 0
2 reviews
  • SD Profile picture for Sharon D.facebook logo
    Sharon D.
    Verified Buyer
    Wine Knowledge Level Enthusiast
    5 years ago
    Wine Knowledge Level Enthusiast
    Rated 5 out of 5 stars
    Once I found the corkscrew

    On opening, there was an immediate aroma of port wine magnolia. The wine is complex, simultaneously plush and zingy. It’s sure to get your attention by delivering both pink lady apples and fleshy fruits like paw paw with a light creamy edge. There’s a promise of potential in every sip. Just make sure the corkscrew is handy, you make want more, its that engaging.

  • MB Profile picture for Martin B.facebook logo
    Martin B.
    Verified Buyer
    Wine Knowledge Level Enthusiast
    5 years ago
    Wine Knowledge Level Enthusiast
    Rated 4 out of 5 stars
    Surprising Clare Valley Special

    I love my Riesling, and I have a particular affection for traditional Clare Valley styles. So when I had my first mouthful of the 2018 Koerner Watervale Riesling, I was sort of "Harrumph this isn't a proper Riesling - not enough steel in the finish."

    However, it only took about ten minutes and a few mouthfuls to completely change my mind. I realised its all about balance and here is an exceptionally well-balanced wine. Great length and depth of flavour for a young Riesling. Some citrus and Asian spice elements on the palate finishing with (my favourite wine term) stone sucking minerality.

    I immediately ordered some more.

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Koerner

Growing up in Clare Valley, Damon Koerner developed a deep connection with the region's rich wine history. In 2014, he and his brother Jono launched Koerner Wines to bring fresh energy to their home turf, creating vibrant, modern wines that feel both distinctly Clare and cutting-edge.

Koerner Wines is all about blending tradition with innovation. Damon’s organically-minded approach and contemporary techniques – like fermenting and ageing in clay amphora – result in wines that are bright, food-friendly, and ideally suited to Australia’s climate.

Using his family’s Gullyview vineyard alongside nearby plots, Damon works with Clare Valley classics like Riesling and Cabernet, while also embracing more unique varieties like Carignan, Sciacarello, and top-notch Vermentino. His wines showcase Clare Valley’s diversity, revealing unexpected sides of this iconic region. With a recent expansion into the Adelaide Hills, the range continues to grow and mature.

As one of Australia’s most celebrated young winemakers, Damon Koerner is redefining what Clare Valley & Adelaide Hills wines can be. If you haven’t tried Koerner Wines yet, it’s high time to explore these excellent South Australian vinos.

Damon Koerner in his Adelaide Hills winery Koerner

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