One of the great producers in the Ribbon Ridge AVA, Trisaetum utilizes the talents of fellow Arsenal supporter James Frey. Frey marks his 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. He makes some absolutely killer bubbles for the Pashey label. Frey also produces some of the finest Riesling you will taste in the Willamette Valley.
The new Trisaetum lineup was brilliant across the board. Look for their 2022 Trisaetum ‘Estates Reserve’ Chardonnay (OB, 95) which is deep and concentrated with serious tension. Even better is the incredible 2022 Trisaetum ‘Family Reserve’ Pinot Noir (OB, 96) which is one of the outstanding Oregon Pinot Noirs that I have tasted this year. This is a total slumbering giant with tons of aging potential. Learn more about this fantastic Willamette Valley winery at http://www.trisaetum.com Here are the fantastic new wines by Trisaetum.
2022 Trisaetum ‘Willamette Valley’ Pinot Noir- This absolutely killer 2022 ‘Willamette Valley’ bottling was sourced from all three of the Trisaetum estate vineyards. This is juicy and lively Pinot Noir, offering cracked black pepper alongside crunchy red fruits, tobacco leaf and salty soils on the palate. Nicely textured, with outstanding finesse, enjoy now and over the next ten years. Drink 2024-2034- 93
2021 Trisaetum ‘Ribbon Ridge Estate’ Pinot Noir- A stunning wine from this vintage that ended very late in the season, the 2022 ‘Ribbon Ridge Estate’ Pinot Noir is sourced from Pinot Noir vines first planted back in 2007. This is wonderfully nervy stuff with serious tension and finesse. Pretty red currant and guava fruits collide with salty minerals and red rose water notes on the palate. Very classic from this region, this is a silky, refined Pinot Noir that reminds me a bit of the 2019 — yet is more approachable than that bottling in its youth. For now give this beauty about an hour in the decanter and watch it unwind. Drink 2024-2038- 94
2022 Trisaetum ‘Coast Range Estate’ Pinot Noir- The ‘Coast Range Estate’ is located in the Yamhill-Carlton AVA and is set at 700 feet, with a combination of volcanic and marine sedimentary soils. This comes off very tart and salty — but in a really good way. Rich loganberry and cranberry tones combine with salty kirsch and menthol notes on the palate. Refined and elegant, with pretty high red flower notes aromatically, this is showing really beautifully now even at two years of age. The terroir is evident in the glass and for my palate, this is the best ‘Coast Range’ bottling that winemaker James Frey has crafted yet. Drink 2024-2037- 94
2022 Trisaetum ‘Wichmann Dundee’ Pinot Noir- This 2022 ‘Wichmann Dundee’ bottling comes from a site that James Frey planted back in 1999 at 700 feet elevation. Coming from vines set on Jory soils, this offers a smooth texture with good weight and brightness. Citrus rind, black raspberry and shades of cardamom dusted blackberry all combine with the volcanic soil underpinnings. Refined, elegant and showing good weight and underlying verve, this is a stunning rendition of Dundee Hills Pinot Noir that is already drinking beautifully at the two year mark. Drink 2024-2040- 95
2022 Trisaetum ‘Estates Reserve’ Pinot Noir-A barrel selection wine sourced from the Yamhill-Carlton, Ribbon Ridge, Dundee Hills AVAs, the 2022 ‘Estates Reserve’ really needs about an hour to fully unwind. I think this is the finest edition of this wine that I have tasted in the past decade. After an hour of air this reveals pretty high-toned arromatics with citrus blossom and potpourri alongside a polished texture. Utterly seamless throughout the drinking experience this revels in its full-bodied red and dark fruit flavors, offering alluring pine needle, salty and stony soils and copious mineral accents. Finishing exceedingly long, this dense and decadent Oregon Pinot Noir is a marvelous effort that will easily age for another twenty years. Drink 2024-2044- 95
2022 Trisaetum ‘Family Reserve’ Pinot Noir- The wine made from the winemaker’s choicest lots, the 2022 ‘Family Reserve’ is a wine that has so much cellaring potential and is a bit reticent right out of the gate. Needing several hours in the decanter, this shows aromatics of black truffle shavings, salty soils, volcanic rock, red currants and Cuban cigar notes once on the nose. The palate is dense and decadent with tremendous length and underlying tension. A totally stunning wine that is still tightly wound, rich and light on its feet, try to resist this beauty for a few more years — and your patience will be rewarded. Drink 2026-2045- 97