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2009 Acclaim
December 25, 2009
Betz Family 2006 Cabernet Sauvignon Père de Famille ranked
#16 in the Wine Enthusiast's TOP 100 WINES OF 2009
96 points
"... taut, muscular, toasty, ... the fruit is concentrated, pure and evocative, with earthy flavors that add notes of soil, spice and mineral. The most complex of all the Betz blends, ... The fruits unfold in a rich panoply of reds and blues, the tannins are rich and chewy, polished and complex, showing exemplary back of the palate grip and concentration."
December 23, 2009
INSIDER
A First Look At Our Editors' Most Exciting New Wines
Betz Family
Syrah Yakima Valley La Serenne Boushey Vineyard 2007
Focused and powerful, but not weighty, delivering a cascade of
violet-tinged ripe blackberry, tar and dark plum flavors that extend
into the long, vivid finish. 91 points
December 01, 2009
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2007 Betz Family Bésoleil Grenache Columbia Valley
91 points
"Good medium red. Sexy nose combines raspberry, black pepper, licorice, smoke and garrigue. Juicy, spicy and sweet, with lovely peppery lift to the juicy red fruit flavors. Conveys an impression of breadth without any excess weight and finishes long and scented, with the spice character carrying through."
2007 Betz Family Syrah La Serenne Yakima Valley
92(+?) points
"Bright ruby. Musky raspberry, smoked meat, violet pastille and charred oak on the nose. Wonderfully fresh and deep, with a distinctly primary quality to its intense dark berry flavors complicated by dried herbs. A seamless and very youthful syrah with lovely purity of fruit and terrific energy. Small-berry tannins are present but perfectly integrated with the wine's fruit. This wine stayed on its gross lees until July of 2008, noted winemaker/proprietor Bob Betz."
Bright medium ruby. Wild aromas of dark berries, smoked meat, lavender and black pepper. Sharply delineated and super concentrated, with lovely aromatic lift in the middle palate; this silky, large-scaled wine is much more than simply a fruit bomb. Perhaps most impressive today on the broad, rising back end, which features a strong spine without any aggressiveness, and subtle lingering perfume. 93(+?)
2007 Betz Family Syrah La Côte Rousse Red Mountain
94 points"Good bright ruby. Inviting aromas of raspberry, anise and smoked meat are lifted by a floral element. Sweet, lush and very intense, with an element of minerality sharpening the pliant fruit flavors. Finishes broad, sweet and very long, with suave tannins, terrific spicy lift and a whiplash of berry fruit. All of these compelling Washington syrahs have pHs in the 3.75 range and should age slowly and gracefully."
"Good bright ruby-red. Black raspberry and licorice on the nose. Large-scaled and mouth-filling but with superb floral lift and an added element of density and structure from the petit verdot component. Not yet expressing itself but this young wine boasts terrific verve and energy for aging. Betz notes that his 2007 Bordeaux blends were racked only a total of three times during their elevage."
2007 Betz Family Cabernet Sauvignon Père de Famille Columbia Valley
95 points
"Bright, deep ruby-red. Pungent cabernet aromas and flavors of red, black and blue fruits complicated by dried thyme and a floral topnote. The extremely intense yet silky palate offers a stunning wave of sweetness that will take several years to express itself fully. Most impressive today on the rising but wonderfully subtle finish, which is supported by serious tannic spine and goes on and on. These 2007 reds combine the structure of the 2005s with the added juiciness of the 2006s, says Betz, who appears to have made his finest set of wines to date. "
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December 01, 2009
Betz Family 2006 La Serenne Syrah ranked
#4 in the Wine Enthusiast's TOP 100 CELLAR SELECTIONS 2009
95 points
"Toasty, dense, dark and complex, this is suffused with a complex mix of coffee, butterscotch, cherry and mineral, with an underlayer of game, roasted almond, herb and earth....it opens out turning silky and supple...Impeccable balance..."
November 29, 2009
2006 Betz Family Cabernet Sauvignon Père de Famille ranked #3 on
Paul Gregutt’s Top 100 Washington Wine Picks for 2009
November 25, 2009
"The belief has long been that what many seek in Pinot, they can find in Syrah. Doubly so this year, when so many Rhone-style reds were fantastic. Some of the best West Coast winemaking, hands down, is currently focused on Rhone grapes. That goes both for veterans like Bob Betz....."
2007 Betz Family Winery La Cote Rousse Syrah, Red Mountain named to the Chronicle's Top 100 West Coast Wines of 2009
"Bob Betz brings eloquence to tannic Red Mountain fruit in this deep, savory effort. A violet-tinged nose, with salumi, leather and dark mineral accents, leads to a structure-driven package of charred cherry, huckleberry and smoke."
November 18, 2009
Insider
A FIRST LOOK AT OUR EDITORS’ MOST EXCITING NEW WINES
Betz
Syrah Red Mountain La Côte Rousse 2007
93 points
Velvety in texture and tight in structure, with a dense core of currant, plum, exotic spice and pepper flavors that shoot right through the tannins on the long, expressive finish. This has plenty of room to grow and deepen. Best from 2011 through 2017.
Betz
Syrah Yakima Valley La Côte Patriarche Red Willow Vineyard 2007
93 points
Aromatic, expressive and beautifully focused to show off its complex, red brick-accented black cherry, blackberry and tar flavors, keeping its impeccable balance through the long finish. Drink now through 2017.
November 15, 2009
"Betz Family Winery remains one of Washington’s benchmarks for top quality wines from Rhone and Bordeaux grape varieties. Bob Betz’s 2007 collection shows him continuing at the top of his game (with plenty of help from his family)."
Betz Family Winery 2007 Bésoleil
92 points
The 2007 Bésoleil is Betz Family’s take on Chateauneuf-du-Pape with a blend of 80% Grenache, 15% Mourvedre, and 5% Syrah sourced from three AVAs. Dark ruby-colored, it offers up a fragrant perfume of cigar box, lavender, sage, black cherry, and black raspberry. Layered on the palate, it has a silky texture, layered, savory red and black fruit, spice and earth notes, and a sweet, lengthy finish. It will benefit from 1-2 years of additional bottle age and offer prime drinking from 2011 to 2019.
Betz Family Winery 2007 Syrah La Serenne
93 points
"The 2007 La Serenne is 95% Yakima Valley Syrah from the Boushey Vineyard with the balance coming from the Kiona Vineyard in Red Mountain. A saturated purple in color, it has a brooding but delectable nose of smoked meat, saucisson, spice box, incense, and blueberry. Dense yet suave on the palate, this ripe, intensely flavored Syrah is impeccably balanced with enough structure to evolve for 4-6 years. It will offer a drinking window extending from 2013 to 2022."
Family Winery 2007 Syrah La Côte Rousse
93 points
The 2007 La Cote Rousse is 100% Syrah primarily from Kiona and Ciel du Cheval Vineyards. Purple/black in color with legs that ooze slowly down the glass, the nose reveals aromas of balsam wood, mineral, earth notes, blueberry and blackberry. Dense, layered, and youthful, the wine has enough structure to evolve for 6-8 years. This Hermitage-like Syrah will drink well from 2014 to 2027. 93 points
Betz Family Winery 2007 Syrah La Côte Patriarche
94 points
The 2007 La Côte Patriarche is composed of 80% Syrah, 19% Grenache, and 10% Mourvedre sourced predominantly from Yakima Valley. Purple/black in color, it displays a super-fragrant aromatic array of smoke, spice box, bacon, lavender, black cherry, and blueberry. Already complex on the palate, it has layers of sweet fruit, splendid integration of oak, tannin, and acidity, and a lengthy, pure finish. Drink this powerful effort from 2013 to 2027.
Betz Family Winery 2007 Clos de Betz
94 points
The 2007 Clos de Betz is a blend of six grape varieties (56% Merlot, 21% Cabernet Sauvignon, and the balance Malbec, Cabernet Franc, Mourvedre, and Petit Verdot) sourced from several Columbia Valley AVAs. It was raised in 70% new French oak for 12-14 months. Purple-colored, it reveals an alluring bouquet of spice box, violets, incense, black currant, and blackberry. Medium to full-bodied on the palate, it displays an elegant personality along with considerable complexity. Expressive black fruits mingle with earth and spice notes, plenty of ripe, fine-grained tannin, and a lengthy finish. Give this rich, substantial effort 4-6 years of additional cellaring and drink it from 2013 to 2027.
Betz Family Winery 2007 Cabernet Sauvignon Père de Famille
95 points
The 2007 Père de Famille is made up of 84% Cabernet Sauvignon, 9% Merlot, and 7% Petit Verdot sourced predominantly from the Red Mountain AVA with small contributions from Horse Heaven Hills and Yakima Valley. Purple/black in color it reveals a brooding aromatic array of wood smoke, scorched earth, pencil lead, violets, black currant and blackberry. Full-bodied on the palate, it is a bit more dense, opulent, and succulent than the Clos de Betz, admirably combining elegance and power. The pure finish lasts for over 60-seconds. It will offer a drinking window extending from 2013 to 2027.
November 01, 2009
Betz Family 2007 La Côte Rousse Syrah (Red Mountain)
94 points
"This is the Betz Family winery’s Red Mountain Syrah. Supple, firm, compact, with black olive, mineral,red licorice, currant and pomegranate fruits. It adds bass notes of rock, iron and clay rather than the more earthy, composty flavors of the La Serenne, with a finish that’s dusty, tannic, herbal, earthy and slightly metallic."
Betz Family 2007 La Serenne Syrah (Yakima Valley)
94 points, Cellar Selection
"This is 100% Syrah from the Boushey vineyard. It’s socompact that it’s almost impenetrable, but the gorgeous aromas portend a glorious wine givenappropriate bottle age and/or breathing time. A dark, dusty mix of black fruits, black olives, blackcoffee and licorice, this has such density that it’s almost impossible to separate out all the fruit layers, let alone the earthier components that make it so distinctive. At 14.8% alcohol, this may be the biggest Betz Boushey Syrah ever."
Betz Family 2007 Besoleil Grenache (Columbia Valley)
92 points
"This new release of Bésoleil is 80% Grenache;5% Syrah and 15% Mourvèdre. Intensely aromatic, bursting with black cherry, strawberry and raspberry aromas, its luscious palate is replete with black fruits. There are streaks of tree bark, a whiff of smoke and above all intensity of fruit."
Betz Family 2007 La Côte Patriarche Syrah (Yakima Valley)
91 points
"This new Syrah from Betz is medium-bodied and displays light details of herb, olive, sage, a hint of lemon verbena, and tight red currant and berry fruit flavors. There is a pretty, finishing kiss of caramel and toasted almonds."
September 16, 2009
"...We began the tasting with the Betz Family 2007 Bésoleil Red Wine. Intensely aromatic, it is absolutely bursting with black cherry, strawberry and raspberry aromas, leading into a lush and luscious palate replete with black fruits. There are streaks of tree bark, a whiff of smoke and above all intensity of fruit. For drinking right now, this is the bottle to have.
Betz has offered a matched pair of syrahs for some years now. The Betz Family 2007 La Serenne is 100% syrah from the Boushey vineyard, where the same rows have been farmed for Betz since 2000. Less than two tons/acre were picked in ’07 – yielding a wine with even more concentration than usual. It’s so compact that it’s almost impenetrable, but the gorgeous aromas portend a glorious wine with appropriate bottle age and/or breathing time. A dark, dusty mix of black fruits, black olives, black coffee and licorice, this has such density that it’s almost impossible to separate out all the fruit layers, let alone the earthier components that make Boushey syrah so distinctive. At 14.8% alcohol, this may be the biggest Betz Boushey Syrah ever, and definitely a wine to cellar.
The Betz Family 2007 La Côte Rousse is the winery’s Red Mountain syrah, from two of the oldest plantings in the AVA. It’s 60% French clones from Ciel du Cheval, the rest Phelps clone from End of the Road. Supple, firm, compact, with black olive, mineral, red licorice, currant and pomegranate fruits. Bass notes if you will, of rock, iron and clay. Is the 2007 as massive as the astonishing 2006? I think it’s too early to tell, but even if a shade less powerful, it is just as complex and detailed.
New this fall is a third syrah, the Betz Family 2007 La Côte Patriarche from the acclaimed Red Willow vineyard.... Those who have had the David Lake/Columbia syrahs from Red Willow will be interested to see how other winemakers are working with the fruit. ... La Côte Patriarche is named in honor of David Lake and vineyard owner Mike Sauer, who jointly pioneered syrah in Washington long before anyone thought it viable. This first bottling has medium concentration, light details of herb, olive, and sage; a hint of lemon verbena, and tight red currant and berry fruit flavors. There is a nice finishing kiss of caramel and toasted almonds.
July 15, 2009
Betz Family 2006 Cabernet Sauvignon Père de Famille 96 points
This is taut, muscular, toasty, young and tight; the fruit is concentrated, pure and evocative, with earthy flavors that add notes of soil, spice and mineral. The most complex of all the Betz blends, in this vintage it includes 84% Cabernet Sauvignon, far and away the dominant flavor. The fruits unfold in a rich panoply of reds and blues, the tannins are rich and chewy, polished and complex, showing exemplary back of the palate grip and concentration.
Betz Family 2006 Clos de Betz 93 points
Spicy, toasty and dense, this 47% Merlot, 30% Cabernet Sauvignon, 13% Cabernet Franc and 10% Malbec blend is packed with berry and cassis fruits. Young and persistent, it runs through the bright, luscious raspberries into a deeper layer of stone and licorice. Beautifully defined, with a panorama of red and black fruits and excellent persistence.
April 15, 2009
“Precision is a great descriptor for Betz Family wines; these are meticulous, immaculate wines sourced from superb vineyards.
Both Betz Family Winery Syrahs, 2006 La Côte Rousse and 2006 La Serenne, are listed in Paul Gregutt’s “Case of Classic Washington Rhones”
April 01, 2009
In the Annual Seattle Magazine Wine Awards, Betz Family was the only Washington winery to place First in two separate categories:
Best Red Rhone Style Blend >$20
Betz Family Winery 2006 Bésoleil
“…it shows brightness in its acidity and fresh red raspberry, plum and vanilla aromas…”
Best Syrah >$20
2006 Syrah La Serenne
“… gorgeous black fruit, leather, licorice and game aromas, balanced by a freshness in the mouth that brings out the dark cherry and blackberry fruit…”
March 01, 2009
Betz Family 2006 La Serenne Syrah Score 95 points Cellar Selection
Toasty, dense, dark and complex, this is suffused with a complex mix of coffee, earth, butterscotch, cherry and mineral, with an underlayer of game. Still a baby, young and tight, it opens out with decanting, turning silky and supple. The balance is impeccable.
Betz Family 2006 La Côte Rousse Syrah Score 94 points
A mix of four clones, it is deeper, more concentrated, and less accessible than the La Serenne bottling, with bass notes of rock, iron and clay. Dusty, tannic, herbal, earthy and slightly metallic, this is a unique expression of Washington Syrah, with black and purple fruits, Asian spices, coffee liqueur, licorice and coal tar, green tea and herbs.
Betz Family 2006 Bésoleil Score 94 points
This new release of Bésoleil is three quarters Grenache, the rest split evenly between Syrah and Mourvedre. Scents of tree bark, black pepper and strawberry stand out, followed with traces of lavender, garrigue and enticing floral accents. Juicy and quite tannic, it’s a fruit salad of flavors, pure, persistent and pleasurable. Finished in neutral oak, it’s the fruit that dominates.
February 28, 2009
Betz Family Winery 2006 La Côte Rousse Syrah Score 93 points
Deep, inky black-red hue. A richly textured Syrah comprised of four clones from two Yakima Valley vineyards: Ciel du Cheval and Scott Williams. Layered nose offering dark fruit, spice and roasted coffee. Melded flavors of bright blackberry and toasted French oak imparts a textural mouth-feel. Balanced finish resonates with plenty of fruit and smoky oak.
Betz Family Winery 2006 La Serenne Syrah Score 90 points
Deep black-red hue. Subtle nose of toasted oak, smoked bacon and underlying dark fruit. Thick black cherry flavors accented with smoky bacon and anise are nicely balanced by long, refined tannins that lead to a textural fruity finish.
January 31, 2009
Betz Syrah Columbia Valley La Serenne 93 points
Lithe, lean and vibrant with red-accented plum and blueberry flavors. An elegant style that remains generous and welcoming with its open-textured finish. Drink now through 2016.
Betz Syrah Columbia Valley La Côte Rousse Syrah 93 points
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.
January 15, 2009
Betz Family Winery Bésoleil 2006
A glorious evocation of the sun-kissed wines of the Southern Rhone. A harmonious blend of Syrah, Grenache and Mourvedre that illustrates why, when a good winemaker blends these three varietals, the whole is greater than the sum of the parts.
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