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| Drinking Windows and Values |
| Community Tasting History |
| Community Tasting Notes (average 91.8 pts. and median of 92 pts. in 190 notes) - hiding notes with no text | | | Tasted by SMHalps on 10/20/2023 & rated 94 points: Why last bottle, and I brought it to a WA State Blend night with my wine group. This was the favorite of the night. Long complex finish. Medium bodied. (539 views) | | | Tasted by gwarnken on 8/25/2023 & rated 90 points: A nicely aged wine with complex aromas and flavors. (587 views) | | | Tasted by TriCitiesWinos on 3/10/2023 & rated 94 points: This has all the layers of flavor you’d expect from a 16 year old WA wine. It is 56% Merlot, 21% Cab Sauv and a balance of Malbec, Mourvèdre, and petit Verdot).
At first taste this is dry, medium body, acid and tannin forward. Aromas of old leather and saucy cherries - on the taste it’s sandal wood, slight plum and other black fruits. It’s like eating a handful of wet dirt at points.
As it opens, it’s a really complex- it’s a great wine 👍🏽 ❤️ 👍🏽 and we love it even more. (775 views) | | | Tasted by akinisky on 2/11/2023: Had at wine tasting dinner at Betz. This was soft and smooth with faint tastes of vanilla and oak. Not sure how long the wine was open before we consumed it but it was my favorite of the three that were poured. (787 views) | | | Tasted by golfhawk on 9/15/2022 & rated 92 points: Still drinking great but doesn’t have much left in it. Has more character than the ‘08 which is more traditional blend. (996 views) | | | Tasted by dsimmons on 8/14/2022 & rated 94 points: Last bottle . still drinking well. Drink. (1128 views) | | | Tasted by jakebakes on 4/17/2022 & rated 94 points: Yummy! Decanted 1 hr, almost silky, absolutely loved it, wish I hadn’t shared with in-laws on Easter, though I did drink most of it myself over the evening. (1117 views) | | | Tasted by wiscgrad on 12/8/2021 & rated 95 points: exceptional bdx blend. hardly showing any age. black licorice on the nose. mostly red fruit. only issue was a bit of heat on the finish. (1249 views) | | | Tasted by mercurius on 11/8/2021 & rated 88 points: Bought this from an auction and have to think the providence is suspect. Cork broke but had no wine soak in it. Nose is decent with dark fruit, mint, baking spices, and some heat. Nice acids but lacking fruit. Completely absent mid. Longer finish of acid and coffee. (1295 views) | | | Tasted by prism on 6/21/2021 & rated 94 points: I brought this to a restaurant, so p & P. Problematic cork, but not a problem with the contents; drinking beautifully with strong hints of baking spices and clove. Interesting to the last drop. (1400 views) | | | Tasted by hiker_guy on 5/28/2021: Last bottle of this vintage.
Peak drinking window in my view. Lovely integrated flavors and a finish that doesn't quit.
Nose is enticing with hints of leather and secondary notes but full of fruit integrated with oak notes.
Palate is rich, controlled, layered, nice fruit integrated optimally with the oak and starting to show secondary notes of leather and spice. The finish demands you take another sip.
Very nicely done.
This is why I cellar these wines and exercise patience. I'm still on the list and buying for drinking 15 years from now. (1373 views) | | | Tasted by drrobvino on 3/6/2021 & rated 92 points: Rich and supple, beautifully mature Bordeaux blend from WA state.
Black cherry, espresso grounds, sweet plum, cassis, and menthol. Nice velvety mouthfeel, full bodied, with a lingering, fruit-rich finish that is really lip-smacking. Drink now through 2022. (1383 views) | | | Tasted by drrobvino on 2/17/2021 & rated 92 points: 3rd of 3 bottles. Delicious Bordeaux blend. No formal TN, drink this one up, in a great spot right now. (1167 views) | | | Tasted by Coupe 60 on 2/12/2021 & rated 91 points: Opened about 30 minutes before having with grilled NY Strip. Dark dark wine. Black fruit, fairly full bodied, it was good alone, but really shined when paired with the steak. Really I'm a good place right now. (1056 views) | | | Tasted by prism on 1/17/2021 & rated 93 points: This was lovely over a three day period. The wine reminds me a little of South African blends. True, the winemakers hail from there, but it can't be a terroir thing. I enjoy it, but it does have a characteristic bark and iron component that renders it just a little exotic. (863 views) | | | Tasted by Ryancmiller on 12/29/2020 & rated 91 points: Drank a bit late but still serviceable. Needed or two to decant before the flavors opened up. (942 views) | | | Tasted by dsimmons on 11/16/2020 & rated 93 points: Pnp and drank this wine with grilled beef tenderloin. Really good but the best class was the last so I would recommend opening this an hour or two prior. Lively fruit with quite a dose of acidity. Drink or hold. (1128 views) | | | Tasted by hiker_guy on 10/25/2020: Dark in the glass with no signs of bricking
Nose is really lovely with spiced cherry notes that are soft and enticing.
Palate is silky smooth on the front with a broad rich mid palate and a silky smooth finish that lingers for at least 30 seconds and leaves you wanting more.
Lovely wine.
Would buy again. (1051 views) | | | Tasted by jeffjohnsonjj@hotmail.com on 4/11/2020 & rated 92 points: Lush merlot fruit, and now some tertiary funk coming through - which does not work out as well as hoped. I would recommend drinking up now while the fruit is still in the forefront. (1310 views) | | | Tasted by Francophile1 on 12/21/2019 & rated 89 points: Tasted blind. I was shocked when the label was revealed as I swore this had Grenache in it. I called it a 2007 CDP or 2005 Clarendon Hills Romas. I was way off. Regardless of the blend in this wine, it tastes to me like Rhône styled wine with loads of kirsch liqueur on the finish. Touch of Ludens cough drop on the finish. I enjoyed the long fruit driven finish. Blind tastings are humbling. (1312 views) | | | Tasted by SICILIAN-SOLE on 4/14/2019 & rated 90 points: Red fruit, cedar and spice. Very smooth and integrated. Not a long life left. Fruit is starting to get a stewed quality and there is not enough structure to keep it going much longer. A good wine from a good producer but in my opinion it's close to the end of the road. (1726 views) | | | Tasted by Wine Warrior 1 on 3/26/2019 & rated 92 points: Black cherry, blueberry, pencil lead, spice, & cedar. Balanced with gentle tannin structure. Enjoyed this wine quite a bit. (1719 views) | | | Tasted by skifree on 3/17/2019 & rated 92 points: Still very dark in the glass, no signs of bricking. Black tea and black olive on the nose. Lots of black fruit, some espresso, some black tea in the mouth. Tannins were quite smooth. Agree that this is in its prime drinking window. (1830 views) | | | Tasted by mpdonnel on 2/27/2019 & rated 90 points: Plum, red fruits. Smooth, but slightly grainy tannins. Not a lot of complexity, but very tasty. In a good place but faded over the evening. (1542 views) | | | Tasted by mjf@ulkner on 12/14/2018 & rated 92 points: Medium bodied. Plenty of plum and blackberry fruit remain. This is silky smooth with well integrated tannins. I'd say this is probably in its peak drinking window. (1510 views) | | | Only displaying the 25 most recent notes - click to see all notes for this wine... |
| By Stephen Tanzer
Vinous, November/December 2009, IWC Issue #147
(Betz Family Vineyards Clos de Betz Red Wine Columbia Valley) Subscribe to see review text. |  By Gary Vaynerchuk
Wine Library TV, Brave New World of Wine Part 1, Episode #966 (1/12/2011)
(Betz Family Winery Clos de Betz) #1; COLOR-dark; NOSE-beautiful nose; almost Bordeaux-like (Pomerol); chalky; tobacco; good red fruit; PALATE-this wine really speaks to me; EXTREMELY smooth; really Bordeaux-like meaning it's not over-dominated by fruit -- there is great red fruit (cranberry, raspberry); there is a savory component with the sour fruit (rhubarb); almost like a soy sauce with minerality; very long finish; one of the better mid-palates that I've seen in a very long time; this connects the dots perfectly; nice long finish; chalkiness; chocolate; I'm a HUMONGOUS fan of this wine; at $40 bones, one of the better values; a complex backbone and structure; ST-93; WE-93; JM-94; GV-94 94 points | By Sean Sullivan
Washington Wine Report (3/23/2010)
(Betz Family Winery Clos de Betz Columbia Valley) Brilliantly colored. Aromatic with toast, smoke, and oak spices along with an underlayer of black fruit. Shows a little bit of heat at times on the nose. On the taste, pure, rich black cherry fruit along with silky tannins. 62% Merlot, 20% Cabernet Sauvignon, 10% Malbec, 5% Cabernet Franc, 3% Petit Verdot. Fruit is 39% Red Mountain, 33% Horse Heaven Hills, and 28% Yakima Valley (Ciel du Cheval, Kiona vineyards, Alder Ridge, and Red Willow vineyards). Aged 17 months in French barriques (65% new). 14.7% alcohol. Give 2-3 years. **** points |
NOTE: Scores and reviews are the property of Vinous and Wine Library TV and Washington Wine Report. (manage subscription channels) |
| Betz Family Producer website2007 Betz Family Clos de BetzMerlot traditionally provides the fleshy foundation for this blend, and it easily assumed that role in 2007. The quality of Merlot in 2007 almost had us bottling a varietal Merlot! Ultimately we decided to let its typical richness set the stage for small amounts of Cabernet Sauvignon, Malbec, Cabernet Franc and Petit Verdot to add their subtle complexity.
The result is a big volume Clos, from its glass-coating appearance to its length on the finish. Deep black cherry, plum and exotic spice aromas lead to a rich, ripe and lush mouthfeel. But this is no fruit salad; it’s an integrated, well-knit wine, filled with deep red notes and added depth coming from an increased quantity of remarkable Red Mountain grapes. Fruit from our Horse Heaven and Yakima Valley vineyards added hints of cola, chocolate and minerals enhancing the final blend.
62% Merlot, 20% Cabernet Sauvignon, 10% Malbec, 5% Cabernet Franc, 3% Petit Verdot
39% Red Mountain, 33% Horse Heaven Hills, 28% Yakima ValleyRed Bordeaux BlendRed Bordeaux is generally made from a blend of grapes. Permitted grapes are Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, Merlot, Petit Verdot, Malbec and rarely Carménère.Today Carménère is rarely used, with Château Clerc Milon, a fifth growth Bordeaux, being one of the few to still retain Carménère vines. As of July 2019, Bordeaux wineries authorized the use of four new red grapes to combat temperature increases in Bordeaux. These newly approved grapes are Marselan, Touriga Nacional, Castets, and Arinarnoa.
Wineries all over the world aspire to making wines in a Bordeaux style. In 1988, a group of American vintners formed The Meritage Association to identify wines made in this way. Although most Meritage wines come from California, there are members of the Meritage Association in 18 states and five other countries, including Argentina, Australia, Canada, Israel, and Mexico.USAAmerican wine has been produced since the 1500s, with the first widespread production beginning in New Mexico in 1628. Today, wine production is undertaken in all fifty states, with California producing 84% of all U.S. wine. The continent of North America is home to several native species of grape, including Vitis labrusca, Vitis riparia, Vitis rotundifolia, and Vitis vulpina, but the wine-making industry is based almost entirely on the cultivation of the European Vitis vinifera, which was introduced by European settlers. With more than 1,100,000 acres (4,500 km2) under vine, the United States is the fourth-largest wine producing country in the world, after Italy, Spain, and France.Washington Washington Wine Commission | Credit to Washingtonwine.org for this article
Washington Wine
Washington State is a premium wine producing region located in the northwest corner of the United States. Although a relatively young wine industry, it is now the nation's second largest wine producer and is ranked among the world's top wine regions. Washington wines are found nationally in all 50 states and internationally in more than 40 countries.
Wineries
With 30,000+ acres planted, the state has ideal geography and conditions for growing premium vinifera wine grapes. Primarily grown on their own root stocks, the vines produce grapes of consistent quality, resulting in strong vintages year after year. While its focus is on Chardonnay, Riesling, Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon and Syrah, the region also produces a wide range of other spectacular whites and reds.
Growers
Winemakers from all over the world have chosen to establish themselves in Washington, where they can create wines reflecting this region's unique characteristics. Their hand-crafted wines are receiving wide acclaim from critics regionally, nationally and internationally for their consistently high quality. Many of them have received scores of 90 and above from the major wine media. Overall this is a higher percentage than other leading wine regions.
Regions
As the state's fourth largest fruit crop, the Washington wine industry is an important contributor to the long-term preservation of Washington agriculture. The industry is committed to sustainable agricultural practices and conservation of water resources.
Washington State is a premium wine producing region located in the northwest corner of the United States. Although a relatively young wine industry, it is now the nation's second largest wine producer and is ranked among the world's top wine regions. Washington wines are found nationally in all 50 states and internationally in more than 40 countries.
Varieties
Washington produces more than 20 wine grape varieties - a ratio of 56 percent white to 44 percent red. As the industry matures and experiments, it finds many grape varieties that thrive throughout Washington's microclimates. There are more than 16,000 vineyard acres of red wine varieties statewide.
History & Vintages
Washington's wine future is limitless. As consumers discover the quality of Washington wines, demand continues to grow nationally and internationally. New acreage and wine varietals are being planted and new wineries are opening at a remarkable pace. Washington State is recognized as a premium viticultural region around the world.
State Facts
Washington's wine industry generates more than $3 billion to the state economy. It employs more than 14,000 people, directly and indirectly, with projections to add nearly 2,000 more jobs by 2006. In terms of tax revenues accrued to the state and federal government, wine grapes are among the highest tax generators of any agricultural crops. Furthermore, Washington wine tourism attracts nearly two million visitors annually contributing to the positive growth of local and regional economies.
Washington State - the perfect climate for wine = ideal growing conditions, quality wines, business innovation, lifestyle, and social responsibility. All are key elements of this world-class wine industry.
Vintages
"2008 and even more so 2010 and 2011 were cool, even cold vintages (think: 2002 in the Barossa) without the extreme ripeness, extract and higher alcohol that had become the norm in the state’s post 1995 world. 2008 was manageable but the duo of 2010/2011 nearly caused a “great depression” in Washington State." - Jon RimmermanColumbia Valley Columbia Cascade Winery Association
The Columbia Valley AVA lies mostly in Washington state, with a small section in Oregon. The Cascade Range forms its western boundary with the Palouse regions bordering the area to the east. To the north, the Okanogan National Forest forms a border with the AVA and Canada. It encompasses the valleys formed by the Columbia River and its tributaries, including the Walla Walla River, the Snake River, and the Yakima River. The Columbia valley stretches between the 46th parallel and 47th parallel which puts it in line with the well known French wine growing regions of Bordeaux and Burgundy. The northern latitude gives the areas two more hours of additional daylight during the summer growing season than wine regions of California receive. The volcanic and sandy loam soil of the valley offers good drainage and is poor in nutrients, ideal in forcing the vine to concentrate its resources into the grape clusters.Columbia Valley Columbia Valley Winery Association |
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