2024 Koerner Old Vine Slate Riesling
2024 Koerner Old Vine Slate Riesling

2024 Koerner Old Vine Slate Riesling

96 ptsHALLIDAY TOP 100
Koerner |Clare Valley |Riesling
Old-vine Clare Valley Riesling, wild-fermented, savoury and long.
Price:
$50.00
Stock:
Sold out
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Description

This is Riesling from one of Clare Valley’s oldest surviving vineyards - planted in 1923 by the Parish family, who still farm the site today. Nearly a century on, these old vines, rooted deep into slate and heavy red clay, give a very different voice to Watervale Riesling. Where most of the subregion is defined by limestone, this pocket of slate brings extra depth, power and savoury complexity.

Damon Koerner handles the fruit with a light touch: hand-picked, naturally fermented in stainless steel, and left to rest on fine lees for over a year. No fining, no filtration – just a slow, clean ferment to let the vineyard speak.

The 2024 is concentrated and expressive, carrying stone fruit richness and ripe citrus flavours cut by a chalky, slate-driven edge. There’s texture here, more weight and grip than you might expect from Clare Riesling, but it still finishes with Koerner’s trademark clarity and drive.

It’s a striking expression of place – powerful, mineral and layered – from vines that have seen more than a hundred Clare Valley summers.

96 points - "The fruit for this wine is sourced from 101-year-old vines from the Parish vineyard, and it doesn't feel like we are in the Clare anymore. It smells and drinks of elsewhere, more the ilk of Rheingau. Indeed, the red clay on slate soils imparts a level of richness beyond a single dimension. This is deliciously citrusy, citing a mandarin note amongst the usual lemon-lime. It's fleshy, tensile and feels tireless in its drive. Powdered quartz, green apple, some phenolic grip and a crunchy spiced pear note that thrums a pulse behind the endless stream of powerful fruit. A true marvel." - Katrina Butler (Halliday Wine Companion)

96 points - "Intensely slate-driven, showing mineral-edged notes of nectarines, wet river stones and high-toned citrus. The palate is so energetic and powerful with a striking acidity and nicely integrated phenolics. High-tension and linear, this has a drive and concentration that will evolve nicely in bottle. Aged on fine lees in stainless steel for 15 months. From vines planted in 1923, bringing depth and purity. Drink or hold." - James Suckling (James Suckling)

95 points - "Sourced from vines planted in 1923 and planted in clay soils over slate. Brings a mix of light and shade to the glass. The light is the citrus brightness in lemon, lime and tangerine skin with apple. The shade is the savoury influence of preserved lemon and chalky texture. Together, they bring depth and tensile grip with a lilting citrus tang. Both complex and delicious – win, win! Drink now–2038" - The Vintage Journal

Customer Reviews

Customer Reviews

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S
Sinclair W.
Blazing a New Path

I had to fight not to guzzle on both nights this was open. Quiet Mutiny, Dr Edge, Koerner and Rockford are some of the best of those looking to make more textural Rieslings in this country and they are all producing really successful efforts. There is a nod to Germany in all of them, but in some cases the effect also reminds me of Alberino - perhaps unsurprising given the climate and also the fact that Alberino on the Iberian Peninsula was also probably originally made with a nod to Riesling. It is nice to have the option of the ultra-clean Australian Riesling style or this more textural approach.

Planted in 1923, this is one of the oldest Riesling vineyards in the Clare Valley. It was established by the neighbouring Parish family and has remained in their hands to this day. The rows run east – west, allowing the canopy to protect the fruit from the intense sun.

The site is unique for Watervale, as the vines grow over slate and heavy red clay. While most of Watervale is limestone, there are some bands of slate running through the area. Additionally, there’s a bit of iron stone in this block.

Given the heavier clay soils over the slate and the very old vines, the flavours of this wine are very powerful to begin with. Over the 5 years we have been working with this vineyard, we’ve realised it requires minimal intervention in the winery beyond a clean and controlled ferment. The wine ferments and matures in stainless steel. Malolactic fermentation (MLF) isn't typically favourable for this wine, so we generally keep it cool. In total the wine spends 15 months in steel, predominantly on fine lees. It was bottled at the end of April 2025 without fining or filtration and with 70pppm total sulphur dioxide added.

Price Bracket $51 to $100
Type White
Body Light Bodied
Variety Riesling
Country Australia
Region Clare Valley
Australian State SA
Feature High Score
Reviewed By Halliday Wine Companion
James Suckling
Critic Score 96
Size 750ml
Vintage 2024
Closure Cork

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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