Trio Winery: My Annual Visit with Tasting Notes 

 28.03.2009 ,   

 By: Daniel Rogov

On Tuesday, 24 March, I made my way to the Trio boutique winery, there to do barrel, advance and current tastiungs of the wines from 2008 and 2007. The wines of 2006 were later re-tasted in my own tasting room.

Founded by Oran, Tal and Kobi Shaked, with Oran as winemaker and located in Ramat Gan, this small winery released its first wines from the 2006 vintage. The winery sources Cabernet Sauvignon, Shiraz and Merlot grapes from the Jerusalem Hills and from the Upper Galilee. Releases from 2006 were of 4,000 bottles, from 2007 of 9,500 and anticipated production for 2008 is for about 17,000 bottles.

Considering the difference in our ages, I am fairly certain that Oran, Tal and Kobi will forgive me for referring to them as "the Shaked boys" but I do thank them for their courtesies and good company during my visit as well as for the several cups of good espresso coffee I received.

The winery can be reached by email at triowinery@gmail.com and the wines are available at the Derekh HaYain (Wine Route) wine stores.

Trio, The Spirit of The Jerusalem Hills, 2008 (Barrel Tasting): Developing in stainless steel tanks with oak staves, still a quite tentative blend of 86% Cabernet Sauvignon and 14% Merlot. Showing dark garnet in color, with soft tannins, medium- to full-bodied with appealing blackcurrant and wild berry fruits, those with light overlays of Oriental spices and bitter-sweet chocolate. Best from 2011. Tentative Score 88-90. (Tasted 24 Mar 2009)

Trio, Secret, 2008 (Barrel Tasting): Tasted from components, some developing in barriques, others in larger Gardellotto vats. A tentative full-bodied blend of Cabernet Sauvignon and Syrah, showing savory cedar wood notes and generous but soft tannins just starting to find their balance with blackberry, cassis and red plum fruits, those matched nicely by hints of saddle leather and dark chocolate. Shows promise as simultaneously intense and elegant. Tentative Score 89-91. (Tasted 24 Mar 2009)

Trio, Special Cuvee, 2007 (Advance Tasting): Made entirely from Syrah grapes, developed in partly new and partly one year old barriques for 14 months, showing medium- to full-bodied (leaning towards the full), with gently gripping tannins settling in nicely with notes of spicy wood. Opens to reveal wild berry, blackberry and raspberry fruits. Still tight and needs a bit of time to show its zest, that matched by a long and persistent finish. Best 2010-2013. Score 91. (Tasted 24 Mar 2009)

Trio, The Spirit of the Jerusalem Hills, 2007: A blend of 84% Cabernet Sauvignon, 14% Merlot and 2^% Petit Verdot. Showing generous berry aromatics, medium- to full-bodied, developed with oak staves in stainless steel vats, with gently mouth-coating tannin and notes of spicy wood parting to reveal generous blackberry, cassis and blueberry fruits, those hinting nicely of fresh Mediterranean herbs. Drink now-2011. NIS 69. Score 88. (Tasted 24 Mar 2009)

Trio, Secret, 2007: Medium- to full-bodied, reflecting its 12 months in barriques with notes of spicy and vanilla-rich wood. Silky tannins part to reveal a generous array of wild berry, currant and bitter citrus peel notes all in fine balance with spicy notes that run through the medium-long finish. Best 2010-2013, perhaps longer. NIS 99. Score 90. (Tasted 24 Mar 2009)

Trio, Secret, 2006: Dark, almost impenetrable garnet in color, full-bodied, made entirely from Cabernet Sauvignon grapes, with firm tannins that yield in the glass and show just the right dose of spicy and vanilla-rich oak. On first attack blackberries, those yielding in the glass to red currants and raspberry fruits, all with appealing overlays of black pepper, cigar tobacco and a note of freshly turned truffles. Drink now-2011. Score 92. (Re-tasted 24 Mar 2009)

Trio, The Spirit of The Jerusalem Hills, 2006: My earlier tasting note holdfs firmly. Made entirely from Cabernet Sauvignon grapes, with a light hint of spicy wood and gently mouth-coating tannins integrating nicely and parting to show the fruits. Medium to full-bodied, dark garnet in color and opening in the glass to reveal red currant, blackberry and raspberry fruits along with gentle hints of white chocolate all of which linger nicely on the long finish. Simultaneously elegant and easy to drink. Drink now–2010. Score 90. (Re-tasted 24 Mar 2009)