Brothers Koerner Cabernet Shiraz, Clare Valley, South Australia 2021

Brothers Koerner Cabernet Shiraz Blend, Clare Valley, South Australia 2021

Winemaker: Jono & Damon Koerner

Farming: Organic, Regenerative & Sustainable

Variety: 85%  Cabernet Sauvignon, 15% Syrah

Terroir: Clare Valley’s coastal  vineyards gently slope underneath a daily bath of warm sunshine and salty sea air. Limestone and broken slate soils provide a home to generous vines that develop ample ripeness, and powerful flavors. 

Vinification: Free juice and pressing combined and fermented in an open cask for 2 weeks, with twice daily punchdowns. 

Aging: 12 months in Slavonian Oak barrels before gravity-racking to stainless steel for 7 days.

Tasting Note: If someone thinks “gregarious”  is too arcane a wine descriptor, they are likely to have never tried the wines of Jono and Damon Koerner. This soft and floral Cabernet-Shiraz blend exemplifies the unique characteristics of two of Clare Valley’s most special grapes. Warm spices and deep blue fruit harmonize to present a full and fruitful red wine, replete with crunchy limestone signatures and lip-smacking, leathery textures. This wine will serve you well during this grilling season, generously spiced and long-suffering in the glass with intense flavor and aroma. Pure and unfiltered conversation fuel that can transform, in an instant, into the perfect nightcap. Braise your lamb shanks in a generous bath and take a long swig from the bottle. Serve between 54 and 57 degrees F.

Sulfur: 35 free, 51 total PPM

Club Notes: July 2023-

Brothers Koerner Cabernet/Shiraz, Clare Valley, South Australia 2021

Brothers Koerner, led by winemakers Jono and Damon Koerner, is a dynamic family venture that showcases the unique characteristics of the Claire Valley in South Australia. The majority of their wines are crafted from fruit grown in the family vineyard, Gullyview, managed by their parents Christine and Anthony Koerner for over 40 years. Its Mediterranean climate with warm days and cool nights, coupled with higher elevations and diverse soils such as red clay over limestone and broken slate, contribute to the production of high-quality wines. The grapes ripen gradually, retaining freshness and acidity, while the soils provide excellent drainage and impart unique flavors. 

The Koerner brothers firmly believe that winemaking starts in the vineyard, and they are committed to organic and regenerative farming. They consider the date of picking to be a critical factor in capturing the essence of the grapes. The Cabernet Sauvignon and Shiraz grapes for this wine were harvested exceptionally early on March 1, 2021, much earlier than the norm in the Clare Valley. At the winery, each lot is treated individually, drawing from their understanding of terroir and the unique characteristics of the grape varieties. After being carefully destemmed, around 50% of the grapes were kept as whole berries, while no whole bunches were included. The fermentation took place in stainless steel tanks. Aging occurred in large Slavonian oak Foudre barrels of 2000L capacity for 12 months, imparting further complexity and character. Finally, the wine was transferred to stainless steel for an additional 3 months before bottling, without any fining or filtering taking place. They embrace a minimal intervention approach, using only the grapes themselves and a small amount of sulfur. 

The brothers aim to create wines that they personally enjoy drinking. Their style is characterized by lightness, freshness, texture, and excellent structure— easy-drinking wines that are aromatically seductive. Dark brambly fruit, blueberry jam, and cool tones of mint and eucalyptus are lifted by vibrant acidity and fruity finish. Enjoy this with anything you throw on the grill! —Cara Patricia