2012 Père de Famille, Cabernet Sauvignon

2012 Père de Famille, Cabernet Sauvignon
The 2012 Vintage-­‐-­‐-­‐Finally After two years of challenging harvests, the Columbia Valley was finally blessed with an easy one. Not only easy, but stunning. Yes, we love the 2010s and 2011s, but getting to the end result was challenging because of cooler-­‐than-­‐normal growing season temperatures, but 2012 was brilliant right from the start. A moderate spring and gently building summer heat to a hot August ensured above average heat accumulation for the year. This was followed by a long gentle autumn creating predictable and satisfying results. The wines are generous, pure and expressive, reminding me of the fleshiness of the 1998s and the clarity of the 2007s. This initial question raised by this vintage of Pere de Famille is how this wine, with such a depth of color, texture and weight of the New World retains its aromatic complexity and balance of the Old World. The answer isn’t precise, but is a reflection of a remarkable Columbia Valley vintage, plus small changes in maturation and the varietal concentration of the final blend. Its inky purple color, muscular structure and plush texture all point to its New World origins. But the aromas of pure, layered black fruits, graphite, crushed rock and lavender (think St. Julien?) lead me back to the Old World. The 2012 Père de Famille has the highest level (90%) of Cabernet Sauvignon that we’ve ever used in this wine. Add to that the high concentration of Red Mountain grapes (84%), deep and structured, and it yields a wine as generous as any Cabernet we’ve made. It showed such density in barrel that we added three months barrel aging to resolve the tannins and body. It’s weighty and yet balanced, fleshy yet fine grained, powerful yet polished. And unabashedly Cabernet Sauvignon, with its black currants, anise/thyme, savory mouth feel and dusty finish. •
•
90% Cabernet Sauvignon, 6 % Merlot 4% Petit Verdot 65% New French Oak, 35% One Fill French Oak Its dimension and precision indicate long aging ability, but you might be tempted far earlier. CURRENT RATINGS: Robert Parker, The Wine Advocate – 94-­‐96 (barrel tasting) “More Cabernet Sauvignon-­‐dominated, the 2012 Pere de Famille incorporates 6% Merlot and 4% Petit Verdot. Sporting the standard Bob Betz preferred inky-­‐
purple color, this knockout effort has masculine, earthy notes of black currants, smoke, graphite, crushed rock and dusty soil to go with a full-­‐bodied, powerful and focused feel on the palate. Give it 4-­‐5 years in the cellar and enjoy over the following decade or two.” Jeb Dunnuck
•
Serve cool, 60-­‐62°F. Best from 2015 through 2023+ Phone: 425-­‐861-­‐9823 Fax 425-­‐861-­‐9853 www.betzfamilywinery.com 2012 Clos de Betz, Bordeaux-styled Blend
The 2012 Vintage-­‐-­‐-­‐Finally After two years of challenging harvests, the Columbia Valley was finally blessed with an easy one. Not only easy, but stunning. Yes, we love the 2010s and 2011s, but getting to the end result was challenging because of cooler-­‐than-­‐normal growing season temperatures, but 2012 was brilliant right from the start. A moderate spring and gently building summer heat to a hot August ensured above average heat accumulation for the year. This was followed by a long gentle autumn creating predictable and satisfying results. The wines are generous, pure and expressive, reminding me of the fleshiness of the 1998s and the clarity of the 2007s. The 2012 Clos de Betz opens with the “wow” color of the vintage: an inky black red core with a striking magenta edge, reflecting the deep sense of ripeness achieved that year. This concentration of color introduces a profound aromatic impression, a breadth of black cherry, black currant and plums; its Washington Merlot foundations shining through. A litany of supporting notes then kicks in to create the real charm of this wine: bay leaf, anise, crushed wet stones, flowers and vanilla cream construct a stunning aromatic impression. Merlot’s dominance in the blend takes center stage on the mid-­‐palate, with a deep, textural fullness. It’s the weight of this wine which impresses most, with a depth and breadth that envelop the palate and linger for a long finish. Vibrant black and red fruits abound, while Cabernet Sauvignon and Petit Verdot that complete the blend add anise, bay leaf and underbrush to the palate. Because of the vintage the wine shows attractive up-­‐front development, but don’t be too hasty: a long cellar life awaits. •
•
67 % Merlot, 27% Cabernet Sauvignon, 6% Petit Verdot 65% New French Oak, 35% One Fill French Oak CURRENT RATINGS: Robert Parker, The Wine Advocate – 93-­‐95 “Tasted as a barrel sample and Betz’s take on a right bank Bordeaux, the 2012 Clos de Betz is 67% Merlot, 27% Cabernet Sauvignon and the balance Petit Verdot. Inky-­‐purple in color (has anyone seen a Betz wine not inky purple?), it offers impressive cassis, plum liqueur, spring flowers and underbrush-­‐style aromas and flavors to go with a mouth-­‐filling, layered and voluptuous style on the palate. I love the mid-­‐
palate here, and the tannin builds through the finish, so, while it should have plenty of up-­‐front appeal, it should also evolve for 15+ years.” Jeb Dunnuck
•
Serve cool, 60-­‐62°F. Best from 2015 through 2023+ Phone: 425-­‐861-­‐9823 Fax 425-­‐861-­‐9853 www.betzfamilywinery.com 2012 Dolce Mio Figlio, Dessert Style Syrah
Since our first harvest of 1997 every wine we’ve made has been a dry red table wine; even those few rosés were dark, sturdy and dry enough to qualify for that description. Enter the newest member of the Betz Family portfolio: Dolce Mio Figlio, a sweet port-­‐like dessert wine. So much has been written already about the splendid 2012 vintage in Washington, one of my personal top five harvests in the past 40 years. In addition to great fruit across the board, the vintage provided a chance to branch out with some spicy, special Syrah. The Syrah from Dick Boushey’s Vineyard in mid-­‐Yakima Valley (we’ve farmed the same block since 2000) was extraordinary, deeply colored, thick skinned and jammed with spicy black fruit character, just the sort of material that begged for toying with. We took a small portion of that fruit and made a sweet wine using a centuries-­‐old method of fortifying fermenting juice to create a “vin doux naturel”, a “naturally sweet wine”. Banyuls, Rivesaltes, Beaumes de Venise and the most famous of the genre, Port, are vin doux naturel. Grapes destined for vin doux naturel begin life as other red wines do: sorted, crushed and skins/juice/seeds combined in fermenters. Shortly after fermentation begins, 2-­‐4 days in and after 30-­‐
40% of the sugar had been consumed by yeast, we added a precisely-­‐calculated amount of neutral grape spirits. This immediately raised the alcohol level of the must to 19-­‐20%, killed the yeast and stopped fermentation. This also protected the remaining sugar from further fermentation and preserved the rich intensity of fresh fruit. By that •
•
•
100% Syrah from Boushey Vineyard Aged in 300L Used French Oak Barrel Best from 2015 through 2023+ point the wine had turned fabulously spiced and purple black having absorbed all the flavor and pigment from the grapes. After gentle pressing the wine was matured for two years in a single neutral French oak barrel (there’s not much of it!) and recently bottled. We’re thrilled with the result, a dense, rich, jam packed dessert wine based on Washington Syrah, with so many of the characteristics of Port: black-­‐
purple color, a heady, intense aroma, balanced sweetness, a range of spices and black fruits, and that a structure that lingers long and vivid. We kept our “family” tradition alive when we named it, this time applying an affectionate Italian name, Dolce Mio Figlio, “My Sweet Son”. Available in 500 mls bottles only, it’s one of those dessert wines that is impossible to keep your hands off of, but will evolve in the cellar for years to come. Phone: 425-­‐861-­‐9823 Fax 425-­‐861-­‐9853 www.betzfamilywinery.com 2012 Cuvée Frangin
“the little brothers blend”
RED WINE
Supple, yet focused, Cuvée Frangin brings together the structure of Bordeaux with the suppleness of the Rhone. Each vintage is a new beginning, and, as always, in 2012 we reviewed and challenged our vineyard and cellar techniques to raise the quality bar. We decided to tighten up our already-­‐strict selection criteria and raise the hurdle for any barrel to make it into the final blends of our flagship wines: Père de Famille and Clos de Betz, our three Syrahs and Bésoleil. The new standards have reduced the amount of these wines and provide the ability to take overall quality to the next level. Barrels that don’t make it into our flagship wines have been blended to make Cuvée Frangin; barrels that don’t meet our new rigorous criteria are sold off as usual. With the rich texture of the 2012 vintage there was an easy affinity of the varieties; Cuvée Frangin melds the layered complexity of Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot with the supple mouthfeel of Syrah. These individual varieties have long been separate parts of our collection; with Cuvée Frangin they weave together to provide a compelling richness and balance. Barrels were specifically selected to complement the varied character of each other, as well as integrate to create an earlier maturing, easily accessible red wine. Cuvée Frangin, or “CF” as we call it in the cellar, starts with an appealing deep, dark red core and lively ruby-­‐
colored edge, reflecting its youth and vitality. Smoky dark plums and candied black raspberry dominate the nose, hinting at its Rhonish roots, but then the gravel, dried thyme and soft leather kick in, the Bordeaux influence. They play well with each other, creating a layered, complex aromatic impression. Cabernet takes over on the palate, delivering a vibrant, polished mouthful that demands attention. This structure is softened by plentiful ripe black cherry and plums, with a hint of toffee and leather, making the mouthfeel supple and plump. There’s a sense of weight to Cuvee Frangin, yet it still dances and satisfies. Berries, cherries, smoke, plums, wood, dust, toast, gravel-­‐-­‐-­‐lots of fun to blend, even better to enjoy. It is designed to be enjoyed younger but will age for several years. CURRENT RATINGS: Robert Parker, The Wine Advocate -­‐ 91 The 2012 Cuvee Frangin is a new cuvee that’s playing in the value-­‐end of the spectrum, and it does a damn good job of it. A blend of 36% Merlot, 23% Cabernet Sauvignon, 26% Syrah and the balance Petit Verdot that spent a year in 20-­‐25% new French oak, it offers knockout aromas and flavors of plum, tobacco leaf, dried herbs, and spice to go with a medium to full-­‐
bodied, supple and downright sexy profile on the palate. Up-­‐front and ready to go, it will nevertheless have close to a decade of longevity and is a perfect intro into the style of this estate. It also represents a superb value. Varietal Components: • Cabernet Sauvignon • Merlot • Petit Verdot • Syrah AVA and Vineyard Components: • Red Mountain • Horse Heavan Hills • Yakima Valley |
Drinkability: now through 2018 www.betzfamilywinery.com
Alc Vol: 14.3% www.betzfamilywinery.com |
Barrel Components: • 100% French Oak • 20% New • 80% One fill 1.425.861.9823 Cases Produced: 1495 1.425.861.9823