Trisaetum
Occasionally we showcase one Oregon winery in the club and feature two of their wines. This is one of those times and the winery in question is Trisaetum. The Trisaetum story, according to their website, goes back fifty-five million years, when the site for their first estate vineyard was still on the floor of the Pacific Ocean, along a line of submarine volcanoes. These volcanoes erupted, spewing lava and glassy basalt across the sea floor, leaving a mixture of volcanic and sedimentary deposits. Eventually, this “terroir” was lifted off the sea floor as the mountains of the Coast Range rose up, ultimately creating a site with a perfect combination of soil, elevation, orientation, and micro-climate for growing Pinot Noir. This was James and Andrea Frey’s first vineyard, their Coast Range Estate Vineyard. They later had an opportunity to buy land in the coveted Ribbon Ridge appellation, now home to their winery and their second estate vineyard, where they are a stone’s throw from such luminaries as Beaux Freres, Patricia Green, and Brick House. James and Andrea farm sustainably, without irrigation, and with a goal of achieving a perfect concentration of flavors and utmost expression of place in each of their wines.

2010 Ribbon Ridge Estate Pinot Noir
This Pinot comes from James and Andrea’s Ribbon Ridge Vineyard, formerly an 83-acre hazelnut orchard. They planted the vineyard with six different Pinot Noir clones (Pommard, Wädensvil, Coury, Dijon 115, 667, and 777) on three different rootstocks. This wine begins with a feeling of lightness and nimbleness on the palate, which evolves into flavors of dark red fruit, as it opens up, showing off the richness, depth, and minerality that comes from the unique soils in which it is grown. It is $49.75, and will definitely develop further with a few more years of bottle age.

2009 Trisae Pinot Noir
James and Andrea’s Triasae is sourced from both of their estate vineyards, artfully blending the best characteristics of each site. It has expressive, earthy aromatics with a touch of vanilla, and rich flavors of dark fruit, spice, and pepper. A very classic Pinot Noir, with balanced acidity, soft tannins, and a lovely, long finish. As it’s drinking beautifully now, you could enjoy it while you wait for the Ribbon Ridge to develop. It is $35 and would be fabulous with a nice, hearty Boeuf Bourguignon this winter.