Troon Vineyard Druid's Red Applegate Valley 2024

The Data

Country USA

Appellation Applegate Valley

Varietal Red Blend

Retail Price $30

ABV 13.4%

Score 4.5 Stars/95 points

In the Glass

Appearance

Slightly hazy, deep ruby color.

Aromatics

The aromatics are intense, offering scents of black plum, boysenberry, and dried herbs with supporting notes of earth, black tea, and hints of leather.

Flavor

The palate confirms the nose, delivering a red and black fruit-driven core with flavors of blackberry, elderberry, baking spices, tart cherry, and truffle. The finish is long and lingering with chewy tannins.

Intensity & Texture

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

Cool Factor

The Troon Vineyard Druid's Red is ultra-cool, as Troon Vineyards shows us their unique take on a Côtes du Rhône-style wine, done with gusto.

Value Grade

Druid’s Red is Troon's house/signature red wine developed in their estate vineyards and blended to be the best expression of the vintage. It's a tremendous bargain in our estimation.

Analysis

The 2024 vintage represents our fifth look at Druid’s Red, but in reality, it’s the second vintage of the new Druid’s Trio executed to their vision. Druid’s Red is made with classic grapes found in the Rhône and Southwest France — this wine has the character of a generous Côtes du Rhône. The 2024 Druid’s Red is made with a blend of 30% Syrah, 27% Grenache, 20% Cinsault, 19% Mourvèdre, and 4% Carignan from the estate vineyard. The grapes are grown with the intention of blending to create a wine that is greater than the sum of its parts. The harvest occurred between mid-September and early October. Each varietal and clone ripens at its own pace. The staggered schedule allowed Troon to co-ferment several of these varieties, resulting in additional complexity and nuance in the wine. As with all wines from Troon, no additives, acid or sugar adjustments, enzymes, or sulfur additions are used at crush. The primary fermentation occurs with the assistance of native yeasts. The wine is handled gently with just one punch-down or foot-trod daily. After fermentation, the wine was transferred to neutral French oak and concrete fermenters (25%) and minimally handled before bottling. We absolutely love it and so will you.

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, pizza, or your favorite red sauce.