The Hedonistic Taster
Troon Vineyard – Applegate Valley, Oregon
by L.M. Archer
“Wine should not be regarded simply as a beverage, but as an art of living, a pleasure.” – Henri Jayer
The Hedonistic Taster provides an intimate format for sharing industry trade sample tasting notes with readers.
Please enjoy this edition featuring Troon Vineyard, a biodynamic producer located in southern Oregon’s Applegate Valley, near the Siskiyou Mountains.
Note: I was first introduced to these latest Troon Vineyard wines by General Manager Craig Camp, at the 2018 Wine Media Conference in Walla Walla, WA.
Some fun facts about Troon Vineyard:
- Troon Vineyard sits at 1400 feet above sea level on Kubli Bench, near the confluence of the Applegate and Rogue Rivers as they flow towards the Pacific Ocean.
- Troon Vineyard’s granitic and river sedimentary soils mirror those of Alsace, Beaujolais, and the Languedoc, and Sardinia.
- Troon Vineyard harvests all their grapes by hand, and crushes all their harvested fruit by foot.
Learn more about Troon Vineyard here.
Disclaimer: No compensation is received; all opinions expressed are that of the author.
TASTING NOTES:
Wine: Troon Vineyard Estate Vermentino, Kubli Bench – Applegate Valley, OR.
Vintage: 2017
Alcohol: 12%
Suggested Retail: $ 18 /218 cases.
Robe: Pale lemon hue.
Nose: Nutty, citrus, slight mineral notes.
Bouche: Light body, well-balanced acids. A wisp of a wine, best served chilled.
TASTING NOTES:
Wine: Troon Vineyard Kubli Bench Blanc – Applegate Valley, OR.
Vintage: 2017
Alcohol: 11.8%
Suggested Retail: $ 25
Robe: Pale gold robe.
Nose: Delicate white flower and lemon aromas.
Bouche: An artful blend of co-fermented Marsanne and Viognier unfolds gently on the palate to reveal notes of meyer lemon and fleurs blanches.
Light body, soft acids, diaphanous finish.
TASTING NOTES:
Wine: Troon Vineyard Estate Vermentino Orange Wine, Whole Cluster Fermented, Kubli Bench – Applegate Valley, OR.
Vintage: 2017
Alcohol: 12.0%
Link to Producer Specs here.
Suggested Retail: $ 25 / 245 cases.
Robe: Light gold hue.
Nose: Pungent aromas of dried yarrow and dusty stone coupled with an underlying savory, smokey umami component.
Bouche: Light body, bright acids, textural mouthfeel. Lemon, saline, savory piquancy on the finish.
A provocative wine evocative of Old World qvevri (clay urn aged) wines from the Georgian Republic.
TASTING NOTES:
Wine: Troon Vineyard Estate Zinfandel, Kubli Bench – Applegate Valley, OR.
Vintage: 2017
Alcohol: 14.5%
Link to Producer Specs here.
Suggested Retail: $ 20 /1500 cases.
Robe: Light garnet robe.
Nose: Cranberry, pomegranate, white pepper aromas.
Bouche: Savory red fruit notes predominate. Light body, well-balanced acidity, supple tannins, surprisingly discrete finish.
A wine of impressive versatility, quality, and value.
TASTING NOTES:
Wine: Troon Vineyard Cuvée Côt Estate Malbec, Kubli Bench – Applegate Valley, OR.
Vintage: 2016
Alcohol: 13.4%
Link to Producer Specs here.
Suggested Retail: $ 35 /229 cases.
Robe: Deep purple robe.
Nose: An unusual, yet enticing combination of capsicum, cocoa and pomegranate aromas.
Bouche: Lush black fruit bouche – plum, blackberry, black cherry notes sustain from start to finish. Medium body, well-balanced acids and tannins, plush finish.
A wine for wine drinkers who say they don’t like Malbec. You’ll like this.
TASTING NOTES:
Wine: Troon Vineyard Cuvée Pyrénées, Kubli Bench – Applegate Valley, OR.
Vintage: 2016
Alcohol: 13.5%
Link to Producer Specs here.
Suggested Retail: $ 60 /267 cases.
Robe: Dark plum robe.
Nose: Black pepper, dark berry, earthy aromas.
Bouche: Plum, raspberry, loamy bouche. Medium body, well-poised acids, velvety tannins, elegant finish. A wine of subtle intensity.
TASTING NOTES:
Wine: Troon Vineyard Estate Tannat, Kubli Bench – Applegate Valley, OR.
Vintage: 2016
Alcohol: 14%
Link to Producer Specs here.
Suggested Retail: $ 40/210 cases.
Robe: Dark garnet robe.
Nose: Heady notes of rose petal, forest, and nutmeg.
Bouche: Tart red fruit on the bouche – sour cherry and crabapple, raspberry, with a hint of licorice. Light body, graceful acids, silky tannins, clean finish.
Not the typical tannic Southwestern France version of Tannat, this wine instead resembles a Cru Beaujolais in its lithe transcendence.
A wine suitable for all seasons.
More about Troon Vineyard here.
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Copyrighted © 2018 L.M. Archer LLC. All Rights Reserved.
Posted in Oregon Wine Wine Tasting
