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2008 Acclaim
December 20, 2008
Special Best of the Year Issue
"The Top 100 Cellar Selections of 2008"
"Our Editors name the Top Collectibles of the Year. The Top 100 Cellar Selections are often among the highest-rated wines of the year."
#2 97 points
Betz Family Winery 2005 Cabernet Sauvignon Père de Famille
“The fragrance is almost otherworldly; sweet, dense and lightly lifted. This is a sinewy wine that begins with compact power and focused, tart red fruits—predominantly raspberry and currant. At first juicy and tart, with hours of breathing time the wine broadens out into a wider spectrum of Cabernet fruits: cassis, blackberry and black cherry.”
"The Top 100 Must-Have Wines of 2008"
"The Enthusiast 100 represent the most diverse and dynamic wines available. They are wines that offer extraordinary quality at prices that still represent affordable luxury."
# 23 95 points
Betz Family Winery 2005 Clos de Betz
“The 2005 Clos de Betz explodes from the glass with profound scents of pipe tobacco, violets, cherries and clove. Immediately supple and silky, this delicious blend of 56% Merlot, 19% Cabernet Sauvignon, 16% Malbec and 9% Cabernet Franc offers more complexity than any Clos de Betz to date. Silky, tightly packed fruit flavors are seamlessly blended, with berries, currants and cherries galore. The tannins have been buffed to a fine luster.”
December 19, 2008
Seattle Times wine critic Paul Gregutt named our 2005 Cabernet Sauvignon
Père de Famille the Number 1 Washington Wine of the Year.
November 26, 2008
"Insider"
"A first look at our editor’s most exciting new wines"
Betz Syrah La Côte Rousse 2006
93 points, 575 cases made
Smooth, round and focused, with a distinctive green olive note adding depth to the blackberry, black cherry and licorice flavors, lingering against slightly prickly tannins on the long, vivid finish. Best from 2011 through 2016.—H.S.
"Hot Wines"
"These are the most exciting discoveries from our editors’ most recent tastings. They are high-scoring, low-production wines from around the world that may be difficult to find, but are worth seeking out."
Betz Syrah La Serenne 2006
93 points, 525 cases made
Lithe, lean and vibrant with red berry-accented plum and blueberry flavors. An elegant style that remains generous and welcoming with its open-textured finish. Drink now through 2014. —H.S.
November 01, 2008
Issue 141: November/December 2008
(includes 12% each syrah and mourvedre) Complex, wild aromas of candied red fruits, gunflint, truffle, garrigue and dried flowers. The palate leads with an almost liqueur-like grenache quality, but the syrah and mourvedre components show themselves with notes of strawberry, spices, gunflint, tree bark and black pepper. This distinctly Rhone-like blend comes across as quite juicy.
(entirely from Boushey Vineyard fruit; aged in 50% new French oak) Wild, multidimensional aromas of blackberry, cherry candy, spices, roasted almond, clove and tarragon; took on a chalky quality with aeration (I would have scored the nose 95 points, at least). Dense, sweet and spicy, with terrific aromatic lift and a light touch to the middle palate. A very young, sharply delineated wine with a terrific spine of acids and tannins for aging. But this calls for at least three or four years of cellaring.
Knockout nose combines black raspberry, blueberry, graphite, talc, licorice and spices. Then quite youthfully closed and backward, but with enticing sweetness and lovely fruit intensity to its dark berry flavors. As tight as this wine is, the finish already demonstrates terrific thrust and length.
(a blend of 52% merlot; 30% cabernet sauvignon, 13% cabernet franc and 5% malbec) Subdued but pure and highly complex nose features candied cherry and red berries, brown spices, flowers and sexy dried herbs. Wonderfully silky and subtle on entry, then juicy and sharply delineated but quite closed in the middle, with terrific acidity and a strong spice character contributing to the impression of purity and lift. The note of cherry candy follows through on the palate. I'd give this youthfully tight wine five years in the cellar.
(aged in 70% new French oak; a Bordeaux blend based on 84% cabernet sauvignon, relatively high for this bottling) Aromas of plum, currant, raspberry and graphite, with a youthfully medicinal nuance and emerging cedar and mineral notes reminiscent of a Medoc wine. Then more New World in the mouth, with wonderfully sweet, lush, tactile flavors of cassis and raspberry dominating. Very young and tactile wine but already conveys a compelling sweetness. Finishes with very broad, suave tannins that hide the wine's underlying structure. A knockout.
October 01, 2008
September/October 2008
In a feature article on the Betz Family Winery titled The Art of Blending, writer Cole Danehower writed that, "If there were a Master of Wine Blending title, he (Bob Betz) would qualify. For me, the Betz Family blends epitomize the power and individuality of Northwest varietally blended wines."
"2005 Le Parrain
...dense flavors of black cherry, with chocolate, cinnamon, and sage on a remarkably velutinous frame..."
"2005 Clos de Betz
... A seamless and luscious mixture of currant, blackberry, and black cherry fruit, accented by chocolate, spice and toast notes..."
"2005 Père de Famille
...black currant focues and mineral-laden..."
"2006 Bésoleil
... a richly fruited and succulent blend..."
September 01, 2008
Our 2005 Cabernet Sauvignon Père de Famille was the "run away" favorite of Sunset Magazine's panel of west coast wine writers, sommeliers and retailers as their Top Pick of the Deep Pockets Red Wine in the Magazine's annual Western Wine Awards. "... Your wine was up against a virtual Napa Cab hall of fame ... at two and three times the price tag."
Four Betz Family Wines were among the 100 Best Wines of the Northwest in Seattle Metropolitan Magazine's annual wine awards issue, September 2008. Despit being among the smallest wineries in the tri-state area, four of our recent releases were honored, actually all among the Top 50!
# 9 Cabernet Sauvignon Père de Famille
"The "père" in question is vintner Bob Betz, whose disciplined approach to raising and fermenting grapes is reflected in every sip. Concentrated flavors of lightly spiced black currant, soft rich tannins, and that penetrating plushness that defines Washington reds."
# 21 Syrah La Côte Rousse
"This is one of the biggest wines Betz makes, and it's rich and intensely concentrated, with the signature flavors of northern Rhone Syrahs. A fine palate length concentrated with flavors of bacon fat, blackberry and soft leather. Over the next six to eight years, the flavors will transform into a treasure trove of exotic spices."
# 41 Bésoleil
"This is the Northwest's version of wine from the Vacqueras village in the Rhone. Plush with a brooding darkness brought on by Mourvedre."
# 48 Clos de Betz
"It's another outstanding wine from Bob Betz. Think of a bowl of dark cherries and ripe plums, all mashed together with some spring herbs. This wine will improve for the next couple years in bottle."
August 01, 2008
Betz Family Winery 2005 Cabernet Sauvignon Père de Famille 97 points
Columbia Valley Cellar Selection
"The fragrance is almost otherworldly; sweet, dense and lightly lifted. This is a sinewy wine, that begins with compact power and focused, tart red fruits—predominantly raspberry and currant. At first juicy and tart, with hours of breathing time the wine broadens out into a wider spectrum of Cabernet fruits; cassis, blackberry and black cherry."
Betz Family Winery 2005 Le Parrain 96 points
Columbia Valley Cellar Selection
"Bob Betz calls this his first-ever “reserve style” wine from Bordeaux varieties. It started with a single barrel of Red Willow Cabernet Franc and evolved into this six-barrel blend. Le Parrain opens with whiffs of smoke, gun metal and rock weaving through the dense red fruits. Pipe tobacco and licorice flavors come into play from the barrel aging. As the wine slowly opens, the flavors expand and blend, and the textural quality that Betz refers to expresses itself in a graceful, three-dimensional finish."
Betz Family Winery 2005 Clos de Betz 95 points
Columbia Valley Editor's Choice
"The 2005 Clos de Betz explodes from the glass with profound scents of pipe tobacco, violets, cherries and clove. Immediately supple and silky, this delicious blend of 56% Merlot, 19% Cabernet Sauvignon, 16% Malbec and 9% Cabernet Franc offers more complexity than any Clos de Betz to date. Silky, tightly packed fruit flavors are seamlessly blended, with berries, currants and cherries galore. The tannins have been buffed to a fine luster."
June 30, 2008
 
Issue #177
“Betz Family Winery, run impeccably by Bob Betz, MW, remains a Washington benchmark for top quality Syrah and Bordeaux blends. With his connections from decades of service at Chateau Ste-Michelle, Betz is able to purchase choice fruit from some of the state’s finest vineyards including Boushey, Red Willow, Ciel du Cheval, Alder Ridge, Kiona, and Klipsun.”
2006 Betz Family Winery Cabernet Sauvignon Pere de Famille
Columbia Valley, Washington
95 Points Drink 2015-2030
“The 2006 Cabernet Sauvignon Pere de Famille is 84% Cabernet Sauvignon, 8% Merlot, and the balance Petit Verdot and Malbec. Opaque purple, the wine has a brooding nose of wood smoke, earth notes, mineral, spice box, black cherry, and blackberry. This is followed by a layered, opulent wine with superb depth and concentration and 6-8 years of aging potential. This promising effort should be at its best from 2015 to 2030.”
2006 Betz Family Winery Clos de Betz
Columbia Valley, Washington
93 Points Drink 2012-2026
"The Bordeaux-styled wines start with the 2006 Clos de Betz, a blend of 61% Merlot, 30% Cabernet Sauvignon, and the balance Cabernet Franc and Malbec. It was aged for 16 months in 70% new French oak. Purple/black in color, it reveals a fragrant nose of pain grille, pencil lead, scorched earth, black cherry, blackberry, and plum. This leads to a smooth-textured, intense, layered wine with superb depth and concentration and enough stuffing to evolve for 4-6 years. It will reach its peak by 2012 and remain at that level through 2026."
2005 Betz Family Winery Cabernet Sauvignon Père de Famille
Columbia Valley, Washington
95 Points
“I had a chance to retaste the 2005 Cabernet Sauvignon Pere de Famille. Last year I though the wine was a bit compressed but that time would likely round it out. One year later the wine has blossomed and appears headed for a promising future.”
2006 Betz Family Winery Syrah La Côte Rousse
RedMountain, Columbia Valley, Washington
95 Points Drink 2015-2030
“The 2006 Syrah La Cote Rousse is 100% varietal sourced from two vineyards, Purple/black in color, it offers up an array of aromas including bacon, sausage, spice box, smoke, pepper, and tar reminiscent of a Guigal La Landonne. Dense, layered, and opulent, this powerful effort should hit its peak by 2015 and provide pleasure through 2030.”
2006 Betz Family Winery Syrah La Serenne
Columbia Valley, Washington
94 Points
“The 2006 Syrah La Serenne is the Betz interpretation of Hermitage. The wine is 100% varietal from the Boushey Vineyard located in Yakima Valley. Opaque purple-colored, it offers enticing aromas of mineral, earth, crushed stone, pepper, and blueberry jam. This is followed by a massive but seamless wine with superb blue fruit and blackberry preserve flavors. This well-balanced effort has a finish which seems to go on and on.”
2006 Betz Family Winery Grenache Bésoleil
Columbia Valley, Washington
93 Points
"The Rhone portion of the portfolio begins with Betz’s take on Chateauneuf du Pape. The 2006 Bésoleil is composed of 75% Grenache, 13% Syrah, and 12% Mourvedre. Dark ruby/purple-colored, the wine exhibits a splendid bouquet of garrigue, black cherry, and spice box. It offers a silky texture, layered sweet fruit, great concentration, and a 60-second finish. The quality of Washington’s Grenache is still a secret but, with wines like this, that won’t be the case for long.”
May 01, 2008
Wine Enthusiast Magazine
Betz Family Winery 2005 La Serenne Syrah 94 Points
"This 100% Syrah sends up fragrances of sweet fruit, mosit earth, leaf and smoked meat. Nuanced and evocative, this changes minute to minute in the glass. The mouthfeel is voluptuous, wrapping the generous blue and purple fruit flavors in sweet, toasty oak. Flashes of pepper and rock continue to light up the smooth, seductive finish."
Betz Family Winery 2005 Bésoleil 93 Points
"The gorgeous nose artfully combines cured meat, earthy compost and spicy herb with plump berry and cherry fruits. Beautifully dense, this is a big, almost rustic wine, with bold flavors, blue/black fruits, sweet sadle leather and firm, supple tannins. The current vintage is the best Besoleil yet, finished with elegant, firm and supple tannins."
Betz Family Winery 2005 La Côte Rousse Syrah 91 Points
"The second of three Syrahs from Betz, tis is thick and dark, heavy with still-chewy tannins, this rich and compact wine needs more time in the bottle. It's done in a big, toasty style, with lush black cherry fruit set against smoky, chewy tannins."
Betz Family Winery 2005 Chapitre 3 Syrah 90 Points
"..intensely built and loaded with dark, smoky charred scents and flavors. Dense and compact, it seems much like a Cabernet... Coffee liqueur, baking chocolate, smoke and even a whiff of eucalyptus are all in the mix."
April 01, 2008
Bon Appetit Magazine
Betz Family Winery 2005 Syrah La Serenne
Named one of ten “Hot Bottles”
"Washington state has been producing Syrahs with great depth and complexity… The Betz Family La Serenne Syrah: blueberry and plum flavors with a toasty oak finish balanced with silky tannins.”
March 31, 2008
Betz Family Winery Syrah Red Mountain La Côte Rousse 2005
Highly Recommended 94 points
“Ripe and focused. A plush mouthful of raspberry, black cherry and rhubarb pie flavors play nicely against refined tannins and hints of roasted red peppers and pomegranate on the long, expressive finish. An intense Syrah that seems to float in midair. Best from 2010 through 2015.”
Betz Family Winery Syrah Columbia Valley Syrah Chapitre 3 2005
93 points
“Supple and generous, with a spicy, peach-like note adding interest to the currant, blackberry and tar flavors. Finishes with an open texture that makes this feel subtle and graceful. Drink now through 2015.”
Betz Family Winery Syrah Columbia Valley La Serenne 2005
91 points
“Lithe and appealing for its bright raspberry and blueberry flavors, wrapped softly in a blanket of fine tannins. The fruit persists against white pepper notes on the long finish. Drink now through 2012.”
March 01, 2008
Mandatory!- Wines you should own
Betz Family Winery 2005 Père de Famille Cabernet Sauvignon
"Otherworldly; the best Père yet. A wine that challenges Quilceda Creek for supremacy."
Betz Family Winery 2005 Clos de Betz Red Wine ($40)
"A delicious blend of 56% Merlot, 19% Cabernet Sauvignon, 16% Malbec and 9% Cabernet Franc."
March 01, 2008
Tom Stevenson's The Wine Report
Betz Family Winery
Ranked #5 on the list of “Greatest Wine Producers” out of the state’s 500+ wineries.
Betz Family Winery Syrah La Côte Rousse 2004
Named #8 on the list of the “Greatest Quality Wines”
March 01, 2008
Portland Monthly
Betz Family Winery Syrah La Cote Rousse 2005
The only Syrah on the list of "The Ten Best Pacific Northwest Wines"
"Bob Betz, winemaker and owner, uses grapes primarily from the Red Mountain AVA in the Yakima Valley. His intensely concentrated La Cote Rousse Syrah exhibits scents of bacon fat, fall herbs and smoked wild game, just like the great Syrahs from the Northern Rhone region in France."
January 01, 2008
The Best of 2007
A quick recap of what the critics said about our wines in 2007.
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