Troon Whole Grape Ferment Riesling Applegate Valley 2017
The Data
Country USA
Appellation Applegate Valley
Varietal Riesling
Retail Price $20
ABV 11.5%
Score 4 Stars/92 points
In the Glass
Appearance
Brilliant, medium orange to gold color.
Aromatics
The aromatics are very intense offering scents of apricot, orange peel, and peach with supporting notes of kumquat, slate, and green tea with hints of dry Sherry.
Flavor
The palate confirms the nose delivering a citrus-driven core with flavors of nectarine. The finish is long and lingering with silky tannins.
Intensity & Texture
Medium-bodied and perfectly balanced with a vibrant texture.
Cool Factor
This is certainly a cool wine from a winery that is making some of the coolest wines in America. No doubt this will not be the last "orange wine" that we see from Troon.
Value Grade
This charming and unique wine is offered in small quantities making the $20 price tag a bargain.
Analysis
This is the second vintage we have seen of the Troon Orange Riesling. We thought that the 2016 was a pretty cool wine as is the 2017. However, the 2017 is a good step forward as it presents harmonious flavors of citrus, mineral, and subtle Fino Sherry accents. Orange wines are essentially white wines made like red wines meaning that they fermented with the skins. Typically white wines are made by extracting the juice from the skins and solids. By fermenting this Riesling on the skins it naturally extracts pigment from the skin, as well as dense flavors and aromatics. We love the balance and low alcohol as well. You would be hard-pressed to find a more refreshing wine.
How to Enjoy
Serve chilled as the perfect aperitif or with a wide range of foods with shellfish being an obvious choice.