Betz Family Wine Tasting at Wine Watch with winery director Tim Steinke

"If all be true that I do think, There are five reasons we should drink: Good wine a friend or being dry Or lest we should be by and by Or any other reason why." - Henry Aldrich

 

The wines of Washington State have been on our radar for the last decade or more.  I have just recently made an attempt to really learn more about what is going on here by making a pilgrimage out to the Washington State wine auction for the last two years to see firsthand the potential of what is coming up next out of the Pacific Northwest.  I am not only impressed with the quality of the wines but the people are also very approachable, even the most successful winemakers and winery owners have a very warm and welcoming attitude.  One of the winery personalities that I have seen every visit is Bob Betz.  Bob is one of the senior statesmen of the Washington state wine industry after his career at Chateau St Michelle, he went on to become a MW and then founded his own winery in 1997. 

Bob has also been the co-chair of the auction the last few years and after meeting him at the chairman’s dinner for the first time he not only remembered my name but made it a point to stop by my table at the Auction the next evening and thank all of us personally for traveling out to the event, giving our group the nickname of the Florida Contingency. 

I am glad to have a chance to reciprocate to Betz Family Winery and host a tasting with the director of the winery Tim Steinke.  We will taste through the current releases and as you can see we have several older vintage wines available on this offering.  The Betz Family wines are built to age and we will check out the 2002 vintage of Cabernet Sauvignon Pere de Famille Columbia Valley to show how well these top level wines from Washington do with a decade of cellaring.

Wine Watch Caterings Toni Lampasone will be making a few small courses to accompany the tasting wines and the fee for this tasting is $55 + tax, for Reservations call 954-523-9463

 

Betz Family Tasting at Wine Watch with winery director Tim Steinke Tuesday, February 11th 7pm

 

Tasting Line-up:

 

2011 Betz Family Winery Cabernet Sauvignon Pere de Famille

Price: $TBA

(93-95 Points) As with the 2011 Clos de Betz, the 2011 Cabernet Sauvignon Pere de Famille is a softer, more approachable version of its 2010 counterpart. A Cabernet Sauvignon-dominated blend, it offers up a pretty, perfumed bouquet of jammy raspberry, cassis, tobacco and assorted floral nuances to go with a full-bodied, seamless and elegant profile on the palate. Where the 2010 will require cellar time to become civilized, this should be reasonably approachable on release; nevertheless, it should evolve gracefully given its overall balance and purity. Drink 2014-2026.

Always one of my favorite visits, Betz Family Winery is owned and run by Steve and Bridgit Griessel (since 2011), with Washington State veteran Bob Betz and assistant winemaker Tyson Schiffner making the wines. While I’ve been drinking this estate’s Rhone blends for years, this was my first experience with the Bordeaux blends, and certainly, I came away impressed. Across the board, everything showed the classic Betz characteristics of inky colors, solid concentration and clean, overall age-worthy and beautifully made profiles. Looking at 2010 and 2011, 2010 is a slightly stronger vintage with additional concentration and depth, where the 2011s should be more approachable early on.  Wine Advocate #207, Jun 2013

 

2011 Betz Family Winery Clos de Betz

Price: $TBA

(90-92 Points) Looking at the Bordeaux-styled releases from barrel, the 2011 Clos de Betz is the estate’s take on a right bank Bordeaux and will be a blend of roughly 63% Merlot, 27% Cabernet Sauvignon and 10% Petit Verdot. Lacking the weight of the 2010, it is a softly textured, elegant effort that has notions of flowers, black fruit, pepper and incense to go with a medium to full-bodied, balanced mouth feel. Already reasonably approachable, it will be interesting to see how this shows from bottle; if it puts on weight, the score and drink window will be conservative. Drink 2014-2021.

Always one of my favorite visits, Betz Family Winery is owned and run by Steve and Bridgit Griessel (since 2011), with Washington State veteran Bob Betz and assistant winemaker Tyson Schiffner making the wines. While I’ve been drinking this estate’s Rhone blends for years, this was my first experience with the Bordeaux blends, and certainly, I came away impressed. Across the board, everything showed the classic Betz characteristics of inky colors, solid concentration and clean, overall age-worthy and beautifully made profiles. Looking at 2010 and 2011, 2010 is a slightly stronger vintage with additional concentration and depth, where the 2011s should be more approachable early on. Wine Advocate #207, Jun 2013

 

 

2011 Betz Family Winery La Cote Rousse Syrah

Price: $59.25   Your Price: $52.14

Quantity in Stock: 12

(92-95 Points) Always more structured and burly than the La Serenne, the 2011 Syrah La Cote Rousse is no exception and exhibits classic blackberry, currant, iron, wild herb and cracked pepper-like aromas and flavors to go with a medium to full-bodied, balanced and exceedingly pure mouth feel. Also 100% Syrah, yet from the warmer Red Mountain AVA (which excelled in 2011), this elegant, yet concentrated Syrah will drink nicely for upwards of a decade. Drink now-2024+.

Always one of my favorite visits, Betz Family Winery is owned and run by Steve and Bridgit Griessel (since 2011), with Washington State veteran Bob Betz and assistant winemaker Tyson Schiffner making the wines. While I’ve been drinking this estate’s Rhone blends for years, this was my first experience with the Bordeaux blends, and certainly, I came away impressed. Across the board, everything showed the classic Betz characteristics of inky colors, solid concentration and clean, overall age-worthy and beautifully made profiles. Looking at 2010 and 2011, 2010 is a slightly stronger vintage with additional concentration and depth, where the 2011s should be more approachable early on. Wine Advocate #207 Jun 2013 Reviewer: Jeb Dunnuck

 

2011 Betz Family Winery La Serenne Syrah

Price: $59.25   Your Price: $52.14

Quantity in Stock: 12

(91-93 Points) Also slightly lighter weight than normal, yet perfectly balanced, elegant and incredibly fresh, the 2011 Syrah La Serenne is 100% Syrah and comes from the cooler-climate Boushey Vineyard in Yakima Valley. Showing a lively, Cote-Rotie-like perfume of blackberry, pepper, thyme, flowers and clean minerality, it is medium-bodied, beautifully pure and has a seamless texture that keeps you coming back to the glass. While already approachable, it possesses enough ripe tannin and depth for 8-10 years of prime drinking. Drink now-2024.  Always one of my favorite visits, Betz Family Winery is owned and run by Steve and Bridgit Griessel (since 2011), with Washington State veteran Bob Betz and assistant winemaker Tyson Schiffner making the wines. While I’ve been drinking this estate’s Rhone blends for years, this was my first experience with the Bordeaux blends, and certainly, I came away impressed. Across the board, everything showed the classic Betz characteristics of inky colors, solid concentration and clean, overall age-worthy and beautifully made profiles. Looking at 2010 and 2011, 2010 is a slightly stronger vintage with additional concentration and depth, where the 2011s should be more approachable early on.  Wine Advocate #207 Jun 2013 Reviewer: Jeb Dunnuck

 

 

2011 Betz Family Winery Besoleil Grenache

Price: $51.75   Your Price: $45.54

Quantity in Stock: 12

(91-93 Points) Starting off the Rhone blends, the 2011 Besoleil is a perfumed, supple vintage of this cuvee and offers up lively wild strawberry-driven fruit, white pepper, gunpowder and herbs de Provence-styled aromas and flavors. Made from 51% Grenache, 18% Cinsault, 12% Counoise, 12% Mourvedre and 7% Syrah, it is a medium-bodied, elegant and downright juicy southern Rhone-styled blend that will be ready to go on release and age gracefully for 5-7 years. Drink now-2020.  Always one of my favorite visits, Betz Family Winery is owned and run by Steve and Bridgit Griessel (since 2011), with Washington State veteran Bob Betz and assistant winemaker Tyson Schiffner making the wines. While I’ve been drinking this estate’s Rhone blends for years, this was my first experience with the Bordeaux blends, and certainly, I came away impressed. Across the board, everything showed the classic Betz characteristics of inky colors, solid concentration and clean, overall age-worthy and beautifully made profiles. Looking at 2010 and 2011, 2010 is a slightly stronger vintage with additional concentration and depth, where the 2011s should be more approachable early on. Wine Advocate #207 Jun 2013 reviewer: Jeb Dunnuck

 

 

2002 Betz Family Winery Cabernet Sauvignon Pere de Famille Columbia Valley

Price: $115.00 Your Price: $101.20

Quantity in Stock: 6

(92 points) Produced from 77% Cabernet Sauvignon, 17% Merlot, and 6% Malbec, the black-colored 2002 Pere de Famille explodes from the glass with sweet black cherries, cassis, and jammy blackberries. This big, lush, rich wine is intense, deep, and concentrated. Palate staining layers of super-ripe black fruits, tar, and spices dominate its medium to full-bodied personality’s flavor profile as well as its exceptionally long finish. Projected maturity: 2006-2017.            Wine Advocate #154, Aug 2004

 

Menu

Selection of cheese:  Reggiano Parmesian, Beemster Gouda, St. Andre

Buratta served atop Grilled beefsteak tomato over bed of Arugula drizzled with aged balsamic

Chile ribbed Chicken breast served over black bean mole with crispy bacon bits

 

The fee for this tasting is $55 + tax.  For Reservations call 954-523-9463

 

 

Since their first vintage in 1997 they’ve had a single minded goal of crafting compelling wines with individual character that are approachable and age worthy, and which showcase Washington as a distinguished wine region of the world.

By carving out specific vineyard blocks and being meticulous in the vineyard and cellar Betz is able to achieve the quality they aspire to.

As importantly over the years their winery culture has become a way of life in which everyone – the growers, winery team and customers are family.

Today, Betz family Winery is headed by the two families, both committed to be true to the heritage of founder Bob Betz, their family members, and true to what Betz winery embodies: wines of dimension and pleasure, wines that allow the character of Washington to shine through. They are a blend of the best elements of the new and the old worlds; full ripe fruit and yet structured for longevity.

Bob is still the winemaker, but he is much more than that. He is the founder, patriarch and guiding light. His pursuit of winemaking began in the early 1970's when he and Cathy criss-crossed European vineyards to better understand the why and how of crafting fine wine. His philosophy is pretty simple: focus on what the vineyards have provided. Start with the highest quality fruit you can, treat it vigorously when necessary, gently most of the time, and stay out of its way but watch it closely. Allow the wines to develop slowly, and make sure they provide exceptional pleasure.

Bob holds the degree of Master of Wine (MW), a designation awarded by the Institute of Masters of Wine in London. With a pass rate of about 12% it's a grueling process that's well worth the effort. The Institute of Masters of Wine promotes excellence and achievement in the wine industry. Candidates for the MW are required to pass the most rigorous testing in the wine industry which includes written theory and tasting exams. A graduate thesis on a specific winemaking topic must also be completed: Bob's focus was on the interaction of wine and barrels during the maturation process. In completing the exams Bob was given two additional awards: the Villa Maria Award, for the highest scores on the viticulture exam, and the Robert Mondavi Award, for the highest overall scores in all theory exams.

 

Older Vintages and big bottles of Betz Family wines available in the store:

 

2011 Betz Family Winery Besoleil Grenache MAGNUM

Price: $106.50 Your Price: $93.72

Quantity in Stock: 6

(91-93 Points) Starting off the Rhone blends, the 2011 Besoleil is a perfumed, supple vintage of this cuvee and offers up lively wild strawberry-driven fruit, white pepper, gunpowder and herbes de Provence-styled aromas and flavors. Made from 51% Grenache, 18% Cinsault, 12% Counoise, 12% Mourvedre and 7% Syrah, it is a medium-bodied, elegant and downright juicy southern Rhone-styled blend that will be ready to go on release and age gracefully for 5-7 years. Drink now-2020.

Always one of my favorite visits, Betz Family Winery is owned and run by Steve and Bridgit Griessel (since 2011), with Washington State veteran Bob Betz and assistant winemaker Tyson Schiffner making the wines. While I’ve been drinking this estate’s Rhone blends for years, this was my first experience with the Bordeaux blends, and certainly, I came away impressed. Across the board, everything showed the classic Betz characteristics of inky colors, solid concentration and clean, overall age-worthy and beautifully made profiles. Looking at 2010 and 2011, 2010 is a slightly stronger vintage with additional concentration and depth, where the 2011s should be more approachable early on. Wine Advocate #207 Jun 2013 reviewer: Jeb Dunnuck

 

2009 Betz Family Winery Syrah La Cote Rousse

Price: $70.50   Your Price: $62.04

Quantity in Stock: 10

(92 Points) A savory style that emphasizes tobacco and brown sugar notes over fruit, but the blackberry and dark plum flavors come through strong, becoming lavish as the finish lingers. Gets better with succeeding sips. Drink now through 2019. 600 cases made. –HS Wine Spectator Issue: Nov 30, 2011

The mid-season heat was a factor with these Red Mountain vineyards, as the berries can easily sunburn or become “heat affected” so that they never quite ripen right. We shade the clusters with the leaf canopy, especially on the western-facing side, to avoid these problems. It worked well, yielding small berries that actually needed very little hand-sorting. The result is a wine that’s the runner-up for blackest of the Syrahs (see La Côte Patriarche below!), with super density, yet an approachability that’s uncommon for this blend. Very sweet in the nose, with big black cherries, smoke, floral spice and an earthy/truffle note. This is Red Mountain at its best, with dimension yet elegance, packed black fruits, yet a creamy, plush impression. Serve cool, 60-62°F. Best from 2014 through 2020

 

2008 Betz Family Winery Grenache Besoleil

Price: $49.00   Your Price: $43.12

Quantity in Stock: 12

(92 Points) The latest collection begins with the purple-colored 2008 Besoleil, a multi-regional blend from four renowned terroirs. It is composed of 82% Grenache, 9% Mourvedre, and 9% Syrah aged for 12 months in one-fill French oak. Aromas of herbs, underbrush, lavender, black cherry, and blueberry lead to a medium to full-bodied, layered, savory wine with loads of spice, excellent volume, intense flavors, and a lengthy, pure finish. Give it 2-3 years to fully blossom and drink it through 2020. Bob Betz, MW, and his family continue to make some of Washington’s finest wine. Betz’s attention to detail is legendary; everything is done for a reason. He sources great fruit, oversees the farming, and his fine-tuned palate ensures the correct call on all the blends.

 

2008 Betz Family Winery Clos De Betz

Price: $65.25   Your Price: $57.42

Quantity in Stock: 9

(95 Points) The Bordeaux-styled wines begin with the 2008 Clos de Betz, a multi-regional blend from four renowned vineyards, and composed of 66% Merlot, 25% Cabernet Sauvignon, and 9% Petit Verdot. It was aged for 16 months in 65% new French oak. A glass-coating opaque purple color, it surrenders an expressive nose of pain grille, graphite, Asian spices, a hint of balsamic, black currant, and blackberry. On the palate it admirably combines elegance with power. It has superb concentration, incipient complexity, layers of fruit, and a lengthy finish. Give it 6-8 years of additional cellaring and then drink it through its 25th birthday. Bob Betz, MW, and his family continue to make some of Washington’s finest wine. Betz’s attention to detail is legendary; everything is done for a reason. He sources great fruit, oversees the farming, and his fine-tuned palate ensures the correct call on all the blends. Wine Advocate #190 Aug 2010 Jay Miller

 

2006 Betz Family Winery Besoleil Columbia Valley MAGNUM

Price: $165.00 Your Price: $145.20

Quantity in Stock: 1

(93 points) The Rhone portion of the portfolio begins with Betz’s take on Chateauneuf du Pape. The 2006 Besoleil 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. Wine Advocate #177, Jun 2008

 

2006 Betz Fmaily Winery Syrah La Serenne Columbia Valley MAGNUM

Price: $165.00 Your Price: $145.20

Quantity in Stock: 1

(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. Wine Advocate #177, Jun 2008

 

2005 Betz Family Winery Besoleil Columbia Valley MAGNUM

Price: $165.00 Your Price: $145.20

Quantity in Stock: 1

(88 points)  Lean and spicy, with a meaty note to the black olive and blackberry flavors. Finishes harmoniously. Grenache, Mourvèdre and Syrah. Drink now through 2010. 240 cases made. –HS  Wine Spectator  Issue: Feb 29, 2008

 

2004 Betz Family Winery Cabernet Sauvignon Pere de Famille Columbia Valley

Price: $100.00 Your Price: $88.00

Quantity in Stock: 3

(92 points)  Smooth and round, with a pleasant mineral note adding interest to the beautifully integrated oak and plangent currant and blackberry fruit. Finishes supple and harmonious. Drink now through 2014. 800 cases made. –HS Issue: Jun 15, 2007

 

2004 Betz Family Cabernet Sauvignon Pere de Famille Columbia Valley MAGNUM

Price: $236.00 Your Price: $207.68

Quantity in Stock: 1

(92 points)  Smooth and round, with a pleasant mineral note adding interest to the beautifully integrated oak and plangent currant and blackberry fruit. Finishes supple and harmonious. Drink now through 2014. 800 cases made. –HS  Wine Spectator  Issue: Jun 15, 2007

 

2003 Betz Family Cabernet Pere De Famille 

Price: $75.00   Your Price: $66.00

Quantity in Stock: 2

(92 Points) While I found the 2003 Clos de Betz to contain worrisome levels of rustic, hard tannin, the 2003 Cabernet Sauvignon Pere de Famille is an impressively powerful, chunky wine. Containing 13% Merlot, 8% Malbec, and 3% Petit Verdot in the blend, this medium to full-bodied wine is dense, concentrated, and deep. Its blackberry liqueur and tar flavors linger throughout its long, tannin-studded finish. Projected maturity: 2010-2022. Wine Advocate #164, Apr 2006

 

2002 Betz Family Cabernet Pere De Famille 

Price: $118.00 Your Price: $103.84

Quantity in Stock: 6

(92 Points) Produced from 77% Cabernet Sauvignon, 17% Merlot, and 6% Malbec, the black-colored 2002 Pere de Famille explodes from the glass with sweet black cherries, cassis, and jammy blackberries. This big, lush, rich wine is intense, deep, and concentrated. Palate staining layers of super-ripe black fruits, tar, and spices dominate its medium to full-bodied personality’s flavor profile as well as its exceptionally long finish. Projected maturity: 2006-2017. Wine Advocate #154, Aug 2004