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.

Wines:

Score

Name

Notes

$

**

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