Beverage of the Week (BOW)
Troon Vineyard Druid's Fluid Red Applegate Valley 2021
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 1970s 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. The current team at Troon inherited the Druid’s Fluid brand and updated it with a new label featuring a Celtic triskele. Troon’s love of red and white Côtes du Rhone wines provided the needed inspiration. The 2021 vintage of the Red Druid’s Fluid will be the last to include Tempranillo while the Syrah, Mourvèdre, and Grenache will surely stay. Many of the grapes harvested within days of each other were co-fermented outdoors. After fermentation the wine was transferred to neutral French oak and minimally handled before bottling. Druid’s Fluid will always be wines that express the vintage.
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, deep ruby color. The aromatics are intense, offering scents of raspberry and baked figs with supporting notes of cigar box, slate, and hints of cedar and black tea. The palate echoes the nose delivering a red and black fruits-driven core with flavors of black cherry, blackberry, and wild berries. The finish is long and lingering with ripe tannins. Medium to full-bodied and perfectly balanced with a supple texture.
How to Serve
Serve at cellar temperature and please decant this wine to wake it up. Serve with nothing but a glass or with grilled meats or your favorite pizza.
Price: $ 25
BevX Review: http://bevx.com/wine-detail/?id=4254
