Community Tasting Notes 22

• Dale M wrote: 95 points

  October 1, 2023 - Decanted 30 minutes. It has been experience that high end WA St Syrah can certainly age but doesn’t seem to develop that next level of tertiary level of refinement. Last night s bottle was a happy exception. Specifically, I also associate Betz Syrahs with a tarry like quality, and within this trait it seemed to produce a splendid array blackberries, steak cooked in a cast iron pan, earth, and flower oils - but the tar was the most dominate feature. Prior to opening this I would have forecasted it needed to be drank up, now – I think you have at least 5 years of good drinking ahead. Really lovely wine by Bob Betz here and veryl likely the best Betz wine I have ever had.

  Comment

• BVal wrote: 93 points

  August 2, 2023 - Last tasted 9/15.
  
  Color/App: deep/dark, slightly translucent ruby core -> deep ruby/garnet rim. A bit dense and chunky on PnP so I decanted and waited about 90 minutes before noting. Intensely black-fruited bouquet that runs heavy on charcoal/toast and forest floor/bramble. Unfortunately I'm missing the perfume and flowery elements that seemed prevalent eight years ago. The palate is still primarily black cherries and blackberries with notes of tar and a little barnyard and smoke. Still presenting a nicely structured midpalate and excellent acidity, this has just lost a little oomph as it has aged without gaining any corresponding complexity. So in summation: I think this is it -- we're on the plateau -- I'd suggest popping the cork to those who still have any left (though it will probably hold here for at least another 3-5 years).

  Comment

• Winning_Wines Likes this wine: 96 points

  November 19, 2022 - This is by far the best bottle of three. PnP, but definitely got better with an hour of air. Most certainly at peak maturity without showing any signs of being over the bill. Rich red and black fruits, menthol, orange peel, anise, fresh cut flowers, and a subtle sense of vanilla spice. Absolutely spectacular!

  Comment

• brettay Likes this wine: 93 points

  November 4, 2018 - Subtle and understated but with excellent balance between its dark fruits and floral/mineral lift. The palate is so soft and silky but its floral edge of violets gives it a great freshness and liveliness. I find the oak treatment on Betz wines to be a bit much, but the oak here is very subtle and adds complexity while letting the other flavors shine. This wine requires some thought to appreciate its understated complexity and deliciousness. I have a magnum of this wine for my son's birth year. It will be really interesting to see what it is like in 10-15 years.

  Comment

• Jimywags wrote: 90 points

  July 31, 2018 - Popped and poured. For me, the standard Washington Syrah nose of woodsmoke/tar, dark blue and black fruit. Well made and correct but not possessing any qualities that stood out and justified the $75 price tag. 90pts.

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Pro Reviews 1

Wine Definition

• Vintage 2005
• Type Red
• Producer Betz Family
• Varietal Syrah
• Designation Chapitre 3
• Vineyard n/a
• Country USA
• Region Washington
• SubRegion Columbia Valley
• Appellation Columbia Valley

Community Holdings

• Pending Delivery 0 (0%)
• In Cellars 121 (54%)
• Consumed 102 (46%)

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