Betz Spring Release
Betz Family Winery Spring Release. In spite of the rainy, stormy weather over the weekend, talk about a successful spring release weekend for Betz Family Winery. Betz released their Bordeaux-style blends — the 2008 Cabernet Sauvignon Pere de Famille, and the 2008 Clos de Betz.
More than a thousand people came through the doors Friday night, Saturday and Sunday to pick up their wines, and taste what have to be some of BFW’s best!
2008 Pere de Famille (what we call the PDF). Robert Parker of The Wine Advocate scored this 96 points, talking about Bob’s legendary attention to detail, describing it as ‘an expressive perfume of sandalwood, mineral, truffle, espresso, incense, violets and blackberry.” (Yes — all in one mouthful)!! Steven Tanzer’s International Wine Cellar rates it 94+ points, calling it ‘deep, silky and compellingly sweet, superb cabernet.’ This wine is 85% Cab Sauv, 10% Petit Verdot and 5% Merlot. You can cellar it 10-20 years. Really.
2008 Clos de Betz. This is the predominatly Merlot blend, and the cooler 2008 growing season meant fewer and smaller berries, with more intense, concentrated flavor. I poured this wine with longtime Betz volunteer John Girt, and we think it’s one of Bob’s best Clos de Betz. Parker gives it 95 points, saying ‘on the palate, it admirably combines elegance with power.’ Tanzer rates it 93 points, saying you’ll ‘notice dark berries, bitter chocoalte and graphite on the nose and palate.’ This wine is 68% Merlot (one of the highest percentages of Merlot for a CdB), 25% Cabernet Sauvignon, and 7% Petit Verdot. Again, you can cellar it for a decade — easy.
Shout out to Bob, Cathy, Carmen and Carla! The Betz family are wonderful hosts, not only to their clients and customers, but to their volunteers! We love being part of the release process, and meeting the wine-loving crowd that comes through the big winery doors. Here’s to a successful spring release (the wines ‘sold out’ but you might find a few bottles in local wine shops), and here’s looking forward to the next vintages from Betz Family Winery!
Margo Myers
