The Hedonistic Taster: Troon Vineyard

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%

Link to Producer Specs here.

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%

Link to Producer Specs here.

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.