Beverage of the Week (BOW)
Troon Vineyard Druid's Pink Applegate Valley 2023
Product Story
The very first Druid’s Pink is made with a blend of 62% Mourvedre, 18% Grenache, 8% Cinsault, 7% Carignan, and 5% Counoise. The varieties used, and their proportions will change each vintage with the entire Druid’s trio. The grapes were intentionally harvested with lower sugars and higher acidity than grapes destined to be red wine. We have seen Mourvedre-driven rosé from Troon in previous vintages, and we love what this varietal brings, delivering expressive fruit, herbal notes, and texture to the wine. Grenache is always welcome in rosé as it provides a silky mouthfeel with classic red fruit notes, then echoed by the Cinsault with Counoise and Carignan, adding spice and acidity. The whole clusters were gently pressed with the intention of extracting a minimum of color. The juice was fermented in neutral barrels with native yeasts, and then the malolactic process (softening the sharp acid profile) was encouraged. Then, the juice rested on the lees for roughly four months. Like all Troon Vineyard wines, the Druid’s Pink is bottled unfined and unfiltered.
Brand Story
Troon Vineyard started quietly over four decades ago when Dick Troon planted vineyards in Southern Oregon. He sold grapes to local wineries but soon discovered that the best business decision was to create his own wines. He converted his barn to a winery and slowly built the brand until he sold the winery to his friend Larry Martin in 2003. Today, Troon Vineyard is owned by Dr. Bryan White and Denise White. The Whites along with Craig Camp, general manager, and winemaker Nate Wall lead the innovative wine making efforts at Troon. Nate has extensive winemaking experience in the Willamette Valley and brings a nuanced, almost Pinot Noir approach to winemaking. Craig is a wine industry veteran with a sharp palate, encyclopedic knowledge of the wines of the world, and relentless energy. Troon offers a wonderfully diverse selection of varietal wines and blends ranging from Malbec to Grenache and Vermentino to name just a few. Beginning with the 2018 vintage the fruit utilized by Troon was farmed 100% organically and biodynamically. All Troon wines were crushed by foot, fermented with only native yeasts with no additives of any kind. If you are seeking unique wines with style and gusto you need to get acquainted with Troon Vineyard.
Tasting Note
Brilliant, medium salmon color. The nose is moderately intense, offering scents of kumquat, strawberry, and spring flowers with supporting notes of crushed berries, slate, and red grapefruit. The palate echoes the nose, delivering a red fruit-driven core with flavors of raspberry, pomegranate, star fruit, and citrus zest. The finish is long and lingering with tart red fruits that present a slight effervescence. Medium-bodied and perfectly balanced with a vibrant texture.
How to Serve
Serve chilled with nothing but a glass or pair with grilled fish or fowl, as well as spicy Asian noodle dishes.
Price: $ 25
BevX Review: http://bevx.com/wine-detail/?id=4446
