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Bob Betz Rhone Tasting
Gracious Host Eric LeVine
Tasted June 24, 2008 by lorenzo with 754 views
Introduction
This was a wonderful evening and opportunity and I feel privileged to have been included. For my palate, Betz is making the finest portfolio of wines in WA. Bob is as honest and generous as he is talented, so visiting with him at a tasting like this is incredibly educational and enjoyable. I tried to find a balance between being disciplined about capturing my thoughts on each wine and listening and interacting with Bob. No easy task for me.
Flight 1 - Rose for Starters (1 note)
Eric served this (on Ice) as we sampled his impressive spread and limbered up for the tasting
Rosé
2007 Betz Family Rosé Petite Rousse
Very Sweet and creamy Strawberry profile. Surprising alcohol level (15) doesnt show noticeably on the palate. Easily pair with BBQ. Keep it cold
Flight 2 - Besoleil (3 notes)
Every year made (except for the accidental ommission of '06)
Every vintage has seen a marked increase in Mouvedre (0, 19 to 42%) but Bob said 2006 and future vintages are going to be modeled after 2004. Going for more Berry, less Brutish.
Red
2003 Betz Family Bésoleil
91 points
This wine was jumping all over the place tonight. Opened up immediately with a syrupy sweet aroma of Rasberry . After a few minutes of swirling, the nose turned more stewed and reductive. A little spritz on the disjointed palate and a blast of syrupy sweet red fruits. Kept a glass around for a few flights and revisited it... 30+ minutes did wonders. Palate became more harmonious and opulent. Also added an intriguing exotic and musky quality. NR to 85 to 91. Quite a progression and I'm not convinced it wasn't still heading upwards when it got jettisoned.
Red
2004 Betz Family Bésoleil
92 points
Noticeably Darker than 03, but also showing cooler fruits on the nose. More Gamey. Mouvedre is nearly 20% of this wine (as opposed to 0 in the 03)
Crazy Black Rasberries, new leather, and a powerful sweet/peppery finish. Love the Finish. Bob said '06 Besoleil will be in this mold / similar blend
Crazy Black Rasberries, new leather, and a powerful sweet/peppery finish. Love the Finish. Bob said '06 Besoleil will be in this mold / similar blend
Red
2005 Betz Family Bésoleil
90 points
Darker still (more than the 03 and 04) MV takes another big leap (up to 42% of this blend.) Interestingly this doesn't seem as open/ready as I recall on release. A little more structured than the previous years, a little less bright. Meaty / Gamey. Also picking up a slight green vegetal note, celery/finocchio? Needs time? I would've like to kept and tracked this... but only had room to save 1 from this flight (chose the '03 which blossomed.) 89-90
We didnt have the 06 Beso to taste, but Bob says the MV is dropping back to 12% -- more in the mold of the '04
We didnt have the 06 Beso to taste, but Bob says the MV is dropping back to 12% -- more in the mold of the '04
Flight 3 - Older Vintages (5 notes)
Red
1999 Betz Family Syrah La Serenne
90 points
Ham and Pepper on the nose.
Still youthful,elegant, ripe red fruits.
Sweet vanilla finish.
I was impressed with how this wine was showing initially, and that is reflected in my score.
towards the end of the flight though, BB pointed out it was fading in the glass.
Sure enough... it fell apart quickly. Dont Decant and Drink soon.
Still youthful,elegant, ripe red fruits.
Sweet vanilla finish.
I was impressed with how this wine was showing initially, and that is reflected in my score.
towards the end of the flight though, BB pointed out it was fading in the glass.
Sure enough... it fell apart quickly. Dont Decant and Drink soon.
Red
2000 Betz Family Syrah La Serenne
90 points
BlackCherry and mineral nose.
Darker fruit profile and a little more complex than the '99
with nice spice notes
finish isnt as sweet or profound though
Darker fruit profile and a little more complex than the '99
with nice spice notes
finish isnt as sweet or profound though
Red
2001 Betz Family Syrah La Serenne
92 points
Much more ripe on the nose than the '99 and '00
Ripe rasberries almost syrupy, faint smoke
Rich and Silky on the palate. BB mentioned this is the textural mouthfeel he is looking for.
Throwing crazy sediment
91-92
Ripe rasberries almost syrupy, faint smoke
Rich and Silky on the palate. BB mentioned this is the textural mouthfeel he is looking for.
Throwing crazy sediment
91-92
Red
2000 Betz Family Syrah La Côte Rousse
87 points
BB commented on the menthol nose, perhaps being more accurate than the "Vicks" descriptor another taster throughout.
Not Nearly as ripe as it seems it once was. Larger frame, Dark profile, drying blackberries, perhaps a little hollow
best days are behind it 87
Not Nearly as ripe as it seems it once was. Larger frame, Dark profile, drying blackberries, perhaps a little hollow
best days are behind it 87
Red
2001 Betz Family Syrah La Côte Rousse
93 points
'Musky, Exotic. and extra depth compared to serenne. 92-93"
Flight 4 - Modern Betz Era (6 notes)
Bob says that 2002 marked a significant transition in their winemaking. They got ALOT more involved in vineyard managment.
Red
2002 Betz Family Syrah La Serenne
93 points
Earthy nose showing (surprisingly!) ripe guava nectar. Meaty and exotic with a Round voluptuous finish.
OK, I for sure wouldve probably guessed Rousse on this blind, given the exotic, meaty, musky elements that I usually associate with Rousse.
Special stuff 92-93
BB said this vintage marks a pronounced step up in the wines given they implemented strict vineyard practices.
Proof is in the pudding
OK, I for sure wouldve probably guessed Rousse on this blind, given the exotic, meaty, musky elements that I usually associate with Rousse.
Special stuff 92-93
BB said this vintage marks a pronounced step up in the wines given they implemented strict vineyard practices.
Proof is in the pudding
Red
2003 Betz Family Syrah La Serenne
91 points
More closed aromatically than the '02. Fresh Red fruit profile. Meaty. Currently backloaded and seems in need of time. Improving in the glass as it needed to get jettisoned...
one more sip.... 91+?
one more sip.... 91+?
Red
2004 Betz Family Syrah La Serenne
93 points
Nose of Cherry Pits (!) and floral. Sweet and spicy vibrant red fruit. Very classy. Smooth as the other side of the pillow. Great mouthfeel.
'04 edge goes to Serenne today. 93-94
'04 edge goes to Serenne today. 93-94
Red
2002 Betz Family Syrah La Côte Rousse
flawed
Corked, and I couldnt gauge anything. Some mentioned "underlying structure," but the battle of the '02's (Serenne vs Rousse) will have to wait another day.
Red
2003 Betz Family Syrah La Côte Rousse
90 points
I had this a week ago and it was decanted for about an hour and drank over several more. This was a pop and pour and I dont think it had a chance to open fully and believe it wouldve improved. It also didnt help that it was surrounded by the profound 04's.
Sweet red fruit, floral and some white pepper. Sweet Plummy palate that was not as vibrant or opulent as the '04's, and the battle of '03's goes to the Serenne for me. 90+
Sweet red fruit, floral and some white pepper. Sweet Plummy palate that was not as vibrant or opulent as the '04's, and the battle of '03's goes to the Serenne for me. 90+
Red
2004 Betz Family Syrah La Côte Rousse
93 points
Nose of ripe plums and (here we go again!) ripe guava nectar. Powerful, dense Blackberry, licorice. Hints of the Musky/Exotic quality that I love in the Rousse, but seems to be holding alot in reserve. Densely packed right now. Gum gripping, pervasive finish that is sweet and quite enjoyable. I think the '04 battle goes to Serenne today, but I like where I think Rousse is headed. Kept some aroung the balance of the night and it was definitely on an upward trajectory 92-93+
Flight 5 - 2 Blind tastes (Yellow Tag, Orange Tag) (1 note)
Bob Betz pulled 2 mystery wines for us to taste blind.
The first, "Yellow Tag", was an Unfiltered, unreleased version of the '04 Serenne. "Yellow Tag" Did not have the percision and clarity of the released version. It gave a more muddled, roasted and stewed profile in comparison.
Good choice on which to release.
Red
2004 Betz Family Syrah Chapitre 3 (never released)
96 points
OK... so the Yellow tag wine that we tasted blind before this
turned out to be an unfiltered version of the 04 Serenne (that was correctly NOT released in favor of the filtered version.)
This wine that we tasted blind ("Orange Tag") had myself as well as others, taking the mental leap assuming it was the unfiltered version of the 04 Rousse.
It was incredibly impressive. Spicy, musky, exotic and possessing an extra wave of flavor and complexity from the already impressive '04's.
Turns out this wine was the '04 test run for what would become the Betz Syrah reserve released only in years deemed worthy.
Too bad it wasn't released... this was quite worthy and had several of us asking for "cases of the 'Orange Tag' "
95-96
turned out to be an unfiltered version of the 04 Serenne (that was correctly NOT released in favor of the filtered version.)
This wine that we tasted blind ("Orange Tag") had myself as well as others, taking the mental leap assuming it was the unfiltered version of the 04 Rousse.
It was incredibly impressive. Spicy, musky, exotic and possessing an extra wave of flavor and complexity from the already impressive '04's.
Turns out this wine was the '04 test run for what would become the Betz Syrah reserve released only in years deemed worthy.
Too bad it wasn't released... this was quite worthy and had several of us asking for "cases of the 'Orange Tag' "
95-96
Flight 6 - 2005 and the official debut of Chapitre (3 notes)
Red
2005 Betz Family Syrah La Serenne
91 points
Ruby color. Shy nose hiding Blue and red fruits. Considerably brighter and higher toned than the rest of the flight. Not as much intensity either. Pomegranate, tight fruit. Needs time and isn't as open as I recall from the release party. Hard for me to gauge tonight. Wish I could have held it longer.
?91+
?91+
Red
2005 Betz Family Syrah La Côte Rousse
93 points
Smokey and floral nose. Seems packed with complexity and a meaty (almost animalistic) quality, but compressed and holding a great deal in reserve now. Showing more of its wares/potential for me right now (compared to the '05 Serenne) so it gets the nod, but they both need time.
?92-93+
?92-93+
Red
2005 Betz Family Syrah Chapitre 3
96 points
Nose showing more for me than the other '05's. Espresso, Ripe dark fruits and some bacon. This really is the poster child of what the Betz syrahs often are for me. Plush, incredibly generous with waves of flavors for the taste buds, but fresh enough to never be heavy or overbearing. This is concentrated, complex and (like the other 05's) built for the long haul. This is probably showing more today, because it's just that much more intense and concentrated. I have no doubt it will rock the house as it unfolds. Funky Fresh in the Flesh 96+
Flight 7 - 2006 and a taste of a 2007 Trial blend (2 notes)
Red
2006 Betz Family Syrah La Serenne
My Notes are starting to fade at this point
"Incredibly complete. Power, balance, elegance and persistance. Really impressive stuff"
"Incredibly complete. Power, balance, elegance and persistance. Really impressive stuff"
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Comment
Red
2006 Betz Family Syrah La Côte Rousse
Sweet, concentrated rasberries on the nose. Dense, exotic and musky. Can Betz get Better?
Closing
The final wine we tasted was a 2007 Red Willow Trial Blend. It started off a little spritzy with tongue sticking tickles. Blew off with time. Incredibly sweet and deep fruit (seemingly deeper than the other Syrah's tend to reach.) Blackberry Jam and Tim Gruner nailed "Blueberry Preserves." A tad simple and primary now. Could use some of the Musky, Exotic complexity that Betz seemingly can deal at will. If it gets it, and is released, surely another winner (if not even deeper and richer.)