The Data

Country   USA

Appellation   Applegate Valley

Varietal   White Blend

Retail Price   $35

ABV   13.5%

Score   4.5 Stars/96 points

In the Glass

Brilliant, medium pale straw color.

The aromatics are very intense offering scents of tropical fruit and spring flowers with supporting notes of bees wax, citrus zest, and subtle oak accents.

The palate confirms the nose delivering a green and tropical fruit-driven core with flavors of Asian pear, white peach, and a wet slate mineral accent rising on the finish. The finish is long and lingering.

Medium-bodied and perfectly balanced with a vibrant but supple texture.

Cool Factor

When Viognier, Marsanne, and Roussanne are married to produce a wine with a sum greater than its parts it's very cool in our world.

Value Grade

You will be hard-pressed to find a better or more stylish White Rhone-inspired wine for the money so despite the $35 price tag we find it to be a good value.

Analysis

The Troon Vineyard Côtes du Kubli Blanc is a new product release while in many ways being an extention of their previous, delicious Kubli Blanc. While Troon replants some of their estate vineyards they were able to source some fantastic grapes from Barbara and Bill Steele at Cowhorn Vineyard. The grapes are biodynamically farmed making this the frist Troon wine to be made exclusively from biodynamically farmed grapes. Previous vintages of Troon's Kubli Blanc were made with a near equal amount of Marsanne and Viognier. The Côtes du Kubli Blanc is made with with a blend of 51% Viognier, 28% Marsanne, and 21% Roussanne. White Rhone-inspired blends are becoming more commonplace but sadly most fail to capture the beautiful aromatics found in these varietals. The Troon Vineyard Côtes du Kubli Blanc absolutely nails it delivering generous aromatics with robust fruit on the palate as well.

How to Enjoy

Sip chilled but not too cold. Serve with grilled langoustines or lobster.