Troon Kubli Bench Blanc Applegate Valley 2016

The Data

Country USA

Appellation Applegate Valley

Varietal White Blend

Retail Price $25

ABV 12.5%

Score 4.5 Stars/95 points

In the Glass

Appearance

Brilliant, medium green/gold color.

Aromatics

The aromatics are very intense offering scents of tropical fruit, jasmine, and honeysuckle with supporting notes of white peach and nectarine.

Flavor

The palate confirms the nose delivering a tropical fruits-driven core with flavors of apricot and orange peel. The finish is long and lingering.

Intensity & Texture

Medium to full-bodied and perfectly balanced with a supple texture.

Cool Factor

Lately there is a lot of buzz about "Red Blends" as if this was a new thing! Well, how about White Blends like the exotic and charming Kubli Bench Blanc? We think it's very cool.

Value Grade

Scarcity of available bottles coupled with high quality winemaking and fruit make this lovely wine selling in the mid-twenties a value in our book.

Analysis

This unique white blend is made with Marsanne 55% and Viognier 45% from the Kubli Bench in the Applegate Valley. As Troon likes to do — the two varietals are co-fermented creating a wonderful integration of the two varietals having the effect of a unique hybrid. The grapes are crushed by foot and then allowed to ferment with native yeasts before resting in seasoned (mature) French Oak barrels. The resulting wine certainly exudes a unique character tasting like no other Viognier and Marsanne blend that I have tasted. Get a few bottles while it lasts. 95 points.

How to Enjoy

Serve chilled but not too cold. Typically you would not decant a white wine but this wine does benefit from the wake-up call that decanting brings.