Troon Vineyard Druid's White Applegate Valley 2023

The Data

Country USA

Appellation Applegate Valley

Varietal White Blend

Retail Price $25

ABV 12%

Score 4 Stars/93 points

In the Glass

Appearance

Brilliant, light green/gold color.

Aromatics

The aromatics are intense, offering scents of pear, apricot stone, and beeswax with supporting notes of jasmine, guava, mineral, honeysuckle, and soft cheese rinds.

Flavor

The palate echoes the nose, delivering a ripe orchard fruits-driven core with flavors of nectarine, red grapefruit, quince paste, kumquat, and green apple skins. The finish is long and lingering.

Intensity & Texture

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

Cool Factor

The Troon Vineyard Druid's White is ultra cool as Troon Vineyards celebrates their great estate vineyard fruit and thoughtful winemaking.

Value Grade

Druid’s White is Troon's house/signature white 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 2023 vintage represents our fourth look at Druid’s White with as many differing blends as Troon Vineyards moves toward their ultimate goal with these signature wines. The 2023 edition is made with a blend of 35% Grenache Blanc, 35% Marsanne, 25% Vermentino, and 5% Roussanne. Troon Vineyard has revealed that Picpoul Blanc, Bouroullec, and Clairette Blanche are part of the estate vineyard destined for this blend and are omitted because the vines are not yet optimally mature. Of the included varietals, Grenache Blanc brings structure and acidity, Marsanne provides rich and round fruit, Vermentino gives backbone, vibrancy, and salinity, while Roussanne delivers aromatics and minerality. The grapes were harvested over seven days, and the pressed juice was pumped into stainless steel before going to French oak barrels or concrete vats for fermentation. Fermentation occurred spontaneously with native yeasts at cool temperatures over several months. In this stage, malolactic fermentation occurs naturally and fully over an extended period of time on the lees. After about eight months, the wine was racked to tank for blending and then soon bottled.

How to Enjoy

Serve chilled as an aperitif or paired with grilled fish, cold seafood starters, and Thai fish and fowl dishes.