One of the outstanding producers of Oregon Riesling, Chardonnay and Pinot Noir, Trisaetum relies on the talented James Frey, a former photographer from Santa Cruz, who had a deep passion for wine. A fellow Arsenal supporter, James crafts some incredible wines for Trisaetum that speak to the region and terroir. His winemaking style focuses towards a brightness and freshness in the wines, regardless of vintage. I have been highly impressed with these wines over the past several years. His talents spread far as James also makes some outstanding sparkling wines under his Pashey label and I reviewed his wines sourced from the Walla Walla Valley, his 1841 label.
The new Trisaetum lineup was truly outstanding. outstanding as their Riesling wines. Look for their 2017 Trisaetum ‘Coast Range Estate’ Chardonnay (WWB, 92) which is a downright terrific new wine that has seriously good range and bright citrus zest with a nice salinity. Just as outstanding was their 2017 Trisaetum ‘Willamette Valley’ Pinot Noir (WWB, 92) has remarkable freshness and is fantastic in its youth. Learn more about this fantastic Willamette Valley winery at http://www.trisaetum.com Here are the fantastic new wines by Trisaetum.
2017 Trisaetum ‘Willamette Valley’ Chardonnay- This outstanding new wine shows aromatics of marzipan, kumquat and fresh French bread that all mix nicely in the glass. The palate has a silky texture with bright orchard and citrus rind fruit flavors, alongside shades of vanilla cream. Drink 2019-2025- 91
2017 Trisaetum ‘Coast Range Estate’ Chardonnay- The 2017 ‘Coast Range Estate’ shows good brightness on the nose with lovely flinty and petrol tones that combine with the citrus rind and sourdough bread accents. The freshness entices with bright Challah bread, lemon zest and hints of saline dusted roasted hazelnuts. Enjoy this fantastic bottling over the next decade. This finishes long with cream and minerals. Drink 2019-2029- 92
2017 Trisaetum ‘Ribbon Ridge Estate’ Chardonnay- The ‘Ribbon Ridge Estate’ Chardonnay is another highly polished wine made by superstar winemaker James Frey. The nose shows good earthy tones that combine with citrus rind and wet stone aromatics. Lithe and light on its feet, the wine offers and inviting texture that melds together with bright orchard and citrus fruit flavors with wet stone and shades of honeydew melon The exceedingly long finish lingers. A delight to savor right now, this will evolve well over the next decade. Drink 2019-2029- 92
2017 Trisaetum ‘Willamette Valley’ Pinot Noir- The 2017 ‘Willamette Valley’ Pinot Noir opens with a bright bouquet of red currant jelly with lovely earthy and citrus tones that build on the nose. The palate yields some wonderful freshness and minerality with bright red fruits dominating and earthy tones playing second fiddle. This is seriously good in its youth. Drink 2019-2025- 92
2017 Trisaetum ‘Wichmann Dundee Estate’ Pinot Noir- The 2017 ‘Wichmann Dundee Estate’ Pinot Noir by Trisaetum opens with complex aromas of black tea, exotic spices and black fruits that all entice in the glass. The silky texture entices as the wine unveils a great combination of earthy tones as well as cinnamon and black fruits on the palate. While remarkable now, this will only get better with some time in the bottle. Drink 2019-2029- 93
2017 Trisaetum ‘Coast Range Estate’ Pinot Noir- The 22 acre ‘Coast Range Vineyard’ is set on both volcanic and marine sedimentary soils. The volcanic terroir on the nose is wonderful, as is the whiff of salinity that runs through the red fruit driven aromatics. The palate is high-toned, fresh and invigorating with bright red fruits that mingle with shades of black truffle, volcanic earth and kumquat. Enjoy this beautiful bright and earthy Pinot Noir over the next ten to fifteen years. Drink 2019-2029- 93
2017 Trisaetum ‘Ribbon Ridge Estate’ Pinot Noir- The 2017 ‘Ribbon Ridge Estate’ Pinot Noir is another downright sexy bottling by the talented James Frey of Trisaetum. The nose is offers bright red fruits with citrus rind and shades of peat moss that all build nicely in the glass. The palate has wonderful verve and tension, offering a bright minerality. The texture entices with bright red fruits that combine with shades of nutmeg, blood orange zest and wild mushroom. This beautiful Pinot Noir is akin to taking in a dazzling goal by Arsenal legend Thierry Henry. Drink 2019-2033- 93
2016 1841 Cellars Red Wine- The 2016 1841 Cellars Red Wine is a blend of 58% Merlot (Figgins Vineyard) with 30% Cabernet Sauvignon (Seven Hills Vineyard) and 12% Petite Verdot (Loess Vineyard). The wine takes on good range aromatically from sagebrush to green bell pepper and chocolate dusted espresso bean with rich dark fruits on the nose. The palate has wonderful freshness and a soft texture, delivering mocha, anise, blueberry compote and herbal undertones that connect energy once on the mouth. Beautiful now, this will evolve well over the next fifteen years. Drink 2019-2033- 93
2016 1841 Cellars Cabernet Sauvignon- Sourced from the Walla Walla Valley, the 2016 1841 Cellars Cabernet Sauvignon opens with a ripe bouquet of graphite, anise and sagebrush that collide with the ripe dark fruits on the nose. The palate is plush, showing a good sense of minerality and weight. Black fruits mingle with chocolate and sagebrush tones on the palate. While delightful in its youth, this will evolve well for the next ten to fifteen years. Drink 2019-2033- 92