Retrospective - Betz Clos de Betz 1999

Reminder that this month's Virtual Tasting is Friday October 30th. Read about the wine as well as a list of Washington and on-line retailers here.

Betz Family Winery was founded in 1997. The winery produced its first vintage that same year, one hundred and fifty cases of the 1997 Alpha Cabernet Sauvignon. In 1999 winemaker Bob Betz made the first vintage of what would become two of his signature wines – the Bordeaux blends Père de Famille and Clos de Betz.

On initial release, the winery envisioned the Clos de Betz as follows: "Clos de Betz is the softer, earlier-maturing companion to our sturdier Cabernet Sauvignon Père de Famille. The mix of vineyards and varietal percentages change each year, but we blend Clos de Betz for the common threads of rich, sweet red and black fruits and up front appeal."

Full Pull Wines poured the 1999 Clos de Betz recently at one of their Thursday pick-up days. Bob Betz’ deft touch was already apparent in this wine, reminiscent of a Bordeaux with considerably more fruit on the palate. While I cannot speak to the wine’s up front appeal, I can say that ten years in it is showing beautifully with a few years left on it.

Wines:
Score	Name	Notes	$
*	Betz Clos de Betz Red Table Wine Columbia Valley 1999	Dark and purple, although showing its age around the edges. A very pretty nose marked by leather, dried flowers, and lots of aged fruit (dried cranberries and cherries). Drinking beautifully with dried fruit on the taste and drying tannins. Throwing lots of sediment. 42% Merlot, 42% Cabernet Sauvignon and 16% Cabernet Franc. 13.5% alcohol. 210 cases produced.	NA