Beverage of the Week (BOW)
Troon Vineyard Druid's Fluid Red Applegate Valley 2020
Product Story
Druid’s Fluid, some say the wine that put Troon on the map, was perhaps a mistake. According to numerous sources Druid’s Fluid was born in the 70s when, one vintage Dick Troon had a stuck fermentation that left some unfermented sugar in the wine. When he shared this slightly sweet red wine with his neighbors it was a hit and Druid’s Fluid was born. We don’t know exactly where the name came from but Fluid Druid, the second album by English rock quartet Druid was released in 1976 — the same year that Troon Vineyard was founded. Through the years the label remained while the wine had certainly changed. Some previous owners at Troon (post Dick Troon) determined to make this charming wine with a cult-like following a big brand by increasing production via purchasing fruit from other growers. The current team at Troon inherited the Druid’s Fluid label that had traditionally featured a drawing of Stonehenge. The new label features a Celtic triskele while the wine more closely resembles the spirit of the first Druid’s Fluid. When revitalizing this wine Troon’s first step was to make these wines only from Biodynamic® certified estate grapes. The next step was to establish a concept for the wines. Their love of red and white Côtes du Rhone wines provided the needed inspiration. They wanted to make wines that overdelivered — after all, isn’t a winery defined more by the quality of their least expensive wine than their most expensive? As you may have noticed we are not talking about varietals. These wines are wines of the the estate and expressions of the vintage so each year they will be a bit different. That’s okay with us — we have come to trust the wines from Troon Vineyard.
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
Red — Brilliant, deep ruby color. The aromatics are very intense, offering scents of raspberry and wild strawberry with supporting notes of mineral, baking spices, cocoa, red currant, black tea, and hints of graphite. The palate confirms the nose delivering a generous, ripe red and black fruits-driven core with flavors of wild berries, black plum, and mineral. The finish is long and lingering with juicy, ripe tannins. Medium to full-bodied and perfectly balanced with an opulent texture.
How to Serve
Troon's Druid's Fluid Red & White are designed to be your house wine. Open on any Tuesday and enjoy!
Price: $ 25 per bottle
BevX Review: http://bevx.com/wine-detail/?id=4139
