Starting last month, I am counting down to my 40th birthday May 23rd with a celebratory wine on the 23rd of each month. Last month’s wine was from Leonetti (notes to come). This month we move to Betz Family Wines.
I picked the 2002 Pere De Famille in anticipation of the release of the 2006 vintage of this wine the first full weekend of March. The 2002 vintage of Betz’ Cabernet-based Bordeaux blend is a stunner and is an easy five to seven years away from maturity. Meanwhile, I am an easy ten to fifteen away from maturity.
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| Score | Name | Notes | $ | |
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** |
Betz Family Wines Pere de Famille Columbia Valley 2002 | A lively, complex nose that can be smelled over a foot away after pouring. Deep, dark fruit swirl around earth, cedar, black pepper, and anise – a virtual wine wheel. On the taste, a gigantic wine with gripping tannins and an absolutely gorgeous mouthfeel. An hour after decanting it refuses to be tamed. 77% Cabernet; 17% Merlot; 6% Malbec. Klipsunb, Ciel du Cheval, and Alder Ridge vineyards. 14.4% alcohol. 705 cases produced. | $45 | |
This wine ranks among a few of the top wines I’ve ever had. I might not be too old yet (emphasizing too, not old), but feel I have had quite a few wines. It is an absolute stunner.
Sean –
Good luck as you approach your peak drinking window! I too tasted an older Betz this weekend (’99 Clos) and will have tasting notes up later this week.
Sordfern = A ’99 CLOS?! Share the wealth! The last time I tasted the 2002 Clos I winezapped the wine that same night to find all I could find. I can’t even imagine a ’99….only wish I felt I was sure to live long enough to sit on my wines that long. ;p
I had the fortunate opportunity of attending two seperate tastings on all Betz wines in a 9 year vertical (with Bob in attendance). Syrahs at one tasting and the Merlot & Cabs at the other tasting. The 99 Clos I had was loaded with Brett and minerality. If you love the horsey-funk, this will be up your alley.
Agree with all of the above. I enjoyed an 01 Père de Famille this past summer and it was right up there with Leonetti and Quilceda, sooo good.
Sean
http://www.tavolarosso.com
Tasting note on the ’99 Clos de Betz is now up. Great wine, and drinking great too here in its 10th year.
Lord knows I don’t have the patience to sit on a bottle for 10 years. I prefer to let someone else cellar it and then buy it at auction.