The Data

Country   USA

Appellation   Applegate Valley

Varietal   Red Blend

Retail Price   $65

ABV   13.7%

Score   4.5 Stars/96 points

In the Glass

Brilliant, deep ruby color.

The aromatics are very intense offering scents of raspberry, blackberry, lavender, thyme flowers, and hibiscus flower with supporting notes of blueberry concentrate and five spice.

The palate confirms the nose delivering a red and black fruits-driven core with flavors of plum, black cherry, and hints of rosemary. The finish is long and lingering with chewy, black tea tannins.

Full-bodied and perfectly balanced with a opulent yet vibrant texture.

Cool Factor

Whenever we sample a wine and much of the discussion is how close to a 100 point score will this wine receive we are surely in the company of a very cool wine.

Value Grade

It may be hard to imagine that a $65 bottle of wine can earn a grade A value score but it does when it's ultra rare and of supreme quality (fewer than 200 cases made).

Analysis

Tannat and Malbec mingle frequently in the Southwest of France and for two consecutive vintages they also mingle in Troon's Cuvée Pyrénées. This great blend from Troon is playfully named Cuvée Pyrénées a call to the great and often unheralded wines of this region along the French and Spanish border. The 2017 Troon Cuvée Pyrénées is made with a blend of 53% Tannat and 47% Malbec — roughly 10% less Tannat than last year's version. The resulting wine in from 2017 is a bit softer due to the higher percentage of Malbec while still wonderfully complex and dynamic. We are thrilled that this amazing wine seems to now be a staple in the new Troon Vineyard lineup.

How to Enjoy

Serve at cellar temperature and it performs best when decanted. Serve with nothing but a glass or with grilled meats.