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| Drinking Windows and Values |
| Community Tasting History |
| Community Tasting Notes (average 91.2 pts. and median of 91 pts. in 60 notes) - hiding notes with no text | | | Tasted by osagher on 11/21/2020 & rated 87 points: Opened this one and decanted 6 hours before tasting. This really opened it up, bringing out a nutty flavor in addition to notes of black currant and fig. A well balanced wine, but a bit lacking in depth. (1421 views) | | | Tasted by thebonnydooner on 4/21/2017 & rated 90 points: After 24 hours to blow off some funk/nastiness, this turned out to be a very pleasurable and rich rhone blend. Concentrated and intense with dark raspberry and blackberry fruit, ripe fruit on the palate with a softish not too tannic finish. This was interesting, but a little indistinct, well balanced and tasty. Probably a good time to drink. (2840 views) | | | Tasted by drrobvino on 1/6/2017 & rated 90 points: Very nice Grenache, fully mature. The alcohol slightly pokes through on the palate, but it is not obtrusive. Drink now through 2018. (2556 views) | | | Tasted by DJPremierCru on 12/17/2016 & rated 91 points: Decanted 1 hour before pouring. It needed more. Brett aromas needdd to blow off. After an additional hour, it was better. Individual flavored not as easy to identify as previous bottle. (2555 views) | | | Tasted by Motz on 12/6/2016 & rated 93 points: Perfumed, charming, and austere. A prettier wine than the same vintage 'K The Boy' and not as dense. Came away with the impression that it is in a phase and needs a year or so. A beautiful wine, distinctly Washington, and well made. (2978 views) | | | Tasted by WAWINEFAN on 3/11/2016 & rated 93 points: Wow, that wine is yummy! Drinking beautifully. Too bad I'm all out after this one. You go Bob Betz! (2645 views) | | | Tasted by RobSpectator on 10/26/2015 & rated 92 points: Consistent, well balanced, exceptional value. (2247 views) | | | Tasted by PeterSM on 7/24/2015 & rated 91 points: Best qualities realized one hour + after opening. Drank well the second day of opening also. (2288 views) | | | Tasted by RobSpectator on 5/5/2015 & rated 92 points:
Well balanced on the palate. Drinks perfectly balanced right now. Black cherries, crushed black berry with spice notes. Nice finish. Units stride right now. (2314 views) | | | Tasted by dsimmons on 2/28/2015 & rated 90 points: Drinking well. My last bottle of this. (2773 views) | | | Tasted by johnnyo on 12/31/2014 & rated 93 points: Drank from a 3L bottle. Fantastic representation of a southern Rhone inspired blend. Comprised of Grenache at 82% and equal parts of Mourvèdre and Syrah it showed lovely notes of red cherry, strawberry, baking spices and licorice. Lovely mouthfeel and dialed in acidity. Paired excellent with ribs and pork sliders with blue cheese coleslaw. (2126 views) | | | Tasted by circadumonde on 12/31/2014 & rated 92 points: Can sum up this evolving beauty (from its initial tasting) in 3 words--put.on.weight. Will be excited to try it again in 5 years. (2131 views) | | | Tasted by WAWINEFAN on 4/20/2014 & rated 92 points: Drinking very nicely right now. Opened and let sit in the glass for about 15 - 30 minutes. Smooth with a nice long finish. (2625 views) | | | Tasted by dankrems on 3/17/2014 & rated 89 points: Not a tremendous amount of evolution from the first bottle 14 months ago. still predominantly dark red fruit driven, with a bit of spice and a small amount of pepper, spice, heat and wet stone. Maybe even a touch of minerality. Still a nice well made wine, but short of greatness and lacking a multidimensionality that I was hoping would be there. Perhaps expectations were too high for a mostly grenache wine? (2534 views) | | | Tasted by gbbwino on 12/31/2013 & rated 92 points: Exceeded my expectations! (2550 views) | | | Tasted by dleaf on 12/15/2013 & rated 91 points: Great good pairing(Wild Ginger) made this a delicious choice. (2452 views) | | | Tasted by forcumba on 12/1/2013 & rated 92 points: Mineral, hints of earth and ripe fruit on the nose. Medium body, with a rich lush palate and a medium finish. Agree with comments below that this is a crowd pleasing wine, well integrated and very enjoyable now. (2386 views) | | | Tasted by mattyboy_ on 10/21/2013 & rated 89 points: kirsch and macerated cherries with rich texture. A good effort though not too exciting. New world grenache just doesn't do it for me. Poised and balanced but just ever so slightly jammy. drink now. (2057 views) | | | Tasted by lirvingham on 7/16/2013 & rated 93 points: Thoroughly enjoyed this bottle. Classic Betz in a Grenache. (2214 views) | | | Tasted by dsimmons on 6/29/2013 & rated 89 points: My second of these and IMHO still too early. Lots of fruit but I believe that additional cellar time will benefit this wine with improved balance. (2085 views) | | | Tasted by Redteeth on 5/8/2013: No fizz on this one and a lot of character. An enjoyable bottle ofr wine. (2148 views) | | | Tasted by isaacjamesbaker on 4/25/2013 & rated 92 points: Domestic Rhones (David's House - Washington, DC): Herbal on the nose, like rosemary and sage, mixed up with red berries, smoke and rhubarb. Pure velvet on the palate, rich but very balanced by the acid and fine tannins. Flavors of red cherries, strawberry, along with milk chocolate and herbal nots of white pepper and rosemary. A green olive note lingers onto the finish. A stunning blend of 82% Grenache, 9% Mourvedre and 9% Syrah. (2723 views) | | | Tasted by WAWINEFAN on 4/12/2013 & rated 89 points: As others have said, there is some fizz on this wine early on. We decanted for about 30 minutes before drinking. It has nice flavors and a full long finish. (1913 views) | | | Tasted by Redteeth on 3/30/2013: Interesting.....I got a bit of the fizz also; it disappeared rather soon. this was a pleasant drinker but not particularly noteworthy. I would not buy this again at the offering price. (1787 views) | | | Tasted by dleaf on 3/5/2013 & rated 92 points: Very lovely. Fresh fruit. More nose than previous bottle. (1847 views) | | | Only displaying the 25 most recent notes - click to see all notes for this wine... |
| By Stephen Tanzer
Vinous, November/December 2010, IWC Issue #153
(Betz Family Vineyards Grenache Besoleil Columbia Valley) Subscribe to see review text. | By Jeb Dunnuck
JebDunnuck.com, A focus on Washington State, Issue #4 (5/1/2010)
(Betz Family Bésoleil) Login and sign up and see review text. | By Sean Sullivan
Washington Wine Report (9/30/2010)
(Betz Family Winery Besoleil Grenache Columbia Valley) A thrilling, aromatic nose redolent with red fruit, stone, earth, raspberries, and game. Intensely pure, rich red fruit on the palate that just hangs on and on at the finish. Shows just a bit of alcohol at times. 82% Grenache, 9% Mourvedre, 9% Syrah. Ciel, Olsen, and Alder Ridge vineyards. 14.8% alcohol. Sampled at 68 degrees **** 1/2 points |
NOTE: Scores and reviews are the property of Vinous and JebDunnuck.com and Washington Wine Report. (manage subscription channels) |
| Betz Family Producer website2008 Betz Family Bésoleil82% Grenache, 9% Mourvedre, 9% Syrah, from //Ciel du Cheval, Olsen,// and //Alder Ridge Vineyards//.Red Rhone Blend Read about the different grapes used to produce red and white Rhone wines
On CellarTracker, Red Rhone Blend is the term for a wine consisting of two or more of the traditional 13 Southern Rhone grape varieties. Typically it's the Grenache, Syrah, Mourvedre or Cinsault grapes, but can also contain the Muscardin, Counoise, Clairette, Bourboulenc, Picpoul, Roussanne, Terret Noir, Picardan or Vaccarese grapes.
A 'food' wine. Lacking pretension and intended for local consumption with local cuisine. Lacks the 'high' notes on a Bordeaux, more earthy and sharper so often a better partner to meat dishes with a sauce. 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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