Troon Vineyard Druid's Fluid Red Applegate Valley 2021

The Data

Country USA

Appellation Applegate Valley

Varietal Red Blend

Retail Price $25

ABV 13.1%

Score 4.5 Stars/96 points

In the Glass

Appearance

Brilliant, deep ruby color.

Aromatics

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.

Flavor

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.

Intensity & Texture

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

Cool Factor

Druid’s Fluid has been revitalized and given proper respect by the team at Troon capturing the spirit of the wine invented by Dick Troon in the 1970s — very cool.

Value Grade

Druid’s Fluid is Troon's house red and white wines developed in their estate vineyards and blended to be the best expression of the vintage. We find it to be a bargain.

Analysis

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.

How to Enjoy

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.