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Anthony Gismondi on Wine
Koerner Cannonautext
93POINTS
17¼/20

Koerner Cannonau 2020

Watervale, Clare Valley, South Australia, AustraliaBrothers Damon and Jono Koerner show classic and alternative Clare varieties through a variety of winemaking vessels and styles, all from estate fruit, and all with low intervention. From Watervale's Cullyview Vineyard, these cannonau (grenache) vines were planted in 1935 on the region's terra rossa / red clay on limestone soils. This was 50% whole berry, entirely destemmed (no whole bunch), and native fermented in open top stainless, with 2 weeks' maceration. It then aged in 2000L Slavonian foudre for 9 months, prior to a 3 month tightening stint in stainless. It was bottled without fining or filtration. The soils make themselves present from first whiff: a savoury, iron-laden nose that carries onto the medium bodied palate, pulling wild cherry, forest berries, dried leaves, fragrant strawberry along with, all lit from beneath with a buzzy limestone base. Tannins are fine and lightly raspy / sticky, hugging this pleasantly fresh (13.8%) red to a white peppery finish. Smart and smashable, as is the Bros. way.Tasted: 05 June 2022Tasted by: Treve RingPrices:
BC$65.00750mlprivate wine shops
Producer: Koerner WineDistributors: Sur Lie
Grape: Grenache Noir/Garnacha