Troon Vineyard Zinfandel in the sunny Applegate Valley

To the best of my knowledge, Troon Vineyard was the first commercial vineyard in Southern Oregon, planted in 1972. Viticulture was very new to Oregon in general at that time. Early growers tried many different varieties, including a smattering of German grapes. Founder Dick Troon’s discovered that Zinfandel thrived in the Applegate and went on to win awards with it.

Totally unlike Oregon’s famed Willamette Valley wine region, wherein Pinot Noir and Chardonnay thrive, the Applegate Valley has a continental climate moderated somewhat by maritime influences. The land is beautiful, the growing season dry and often quite hot but very short and bracketed by hard frosts. Winter snow is common. This is a growing area best-suited not for Burgundian grape varieties but those from fine regions such as Chateauneuf-du-Pape, Rioja and northern to central Italy.

2014 Troon Vineyard Vermentino Applegate Valley Oregon 90 12.5% 750ml
80% Vermentino, 20% Sauvignon Blanc. This affordable trip to coastal Italy offers lemon-lime, underripe nectarine, peach pit and a tangy/briny finish. Satin smooth in the mouth with medium+ body. Just the thing for linguine with clams.

2013 Troon Vineyard Blue Label Estate Tannat Applegate Valley Southern Oregon 89 13.7% 750ml $29
Fine-grained and grippy, yet a tamely textured for Tannat. Medium body and very fresh in the mouth with long, focused flavors of baked rhubarb, dark cherry and black plum. Perfect for duck confit.

2014 Troon Vineyard Zinfandel Applegate Valley Oregon 90 14.5% 750ml $20
Aromas of cherry jam, wildflowers, spice and cocoa. All that and dark earth on the long, smooth palate of medium+ body. Lithe and balanced. Try it with a sandwich of roasted lamb and olive tapenade.

2013 Troon Vineyard Malbec Rogue Valley Oregon 90 13.7% 750ml $29
Well-toasted wood, dark spice, smoke and ripe blackberries. Medium body with very fine, chalky tannins and a buoyancy that has flavors dancing across the tongue.

2013 Troon Vineyard MT Reserve Southern Oregon 91+ 13.7% 750ml $50
Savory-forward, smelling of grilled meat, smoke, black olive and dark fruit. Medium+ body with delightful tension between texture and juiciness. Long, undulating finish.

Copyright Fred Swan 2016. Photo courtesy of Troon Vineyards. All rights reserved.