Winemaker Notes
The 2008 shines on the palate, with a silken entry and mid-palate, a texture that's more like the 2006 vintage with its approachability and suppleness. Don't get the wrong impression as there's an immense amount of Red Mountain tannin that will carry this a decade or two in the cellar. It finishes complete, lively and compelling.
Blend: 85% Cabernet Sauvignon, 10% Petit Verdot, 5% Merlot
Critical Acclaim
All VintagesBright with a juicy frame and plummy essence, the 2008 Cabernet Sauvignon Père de Famille offers hints of earthiness that grows with time in the glass. Medium to full-bodied, notions of baked earth and blackberry skin sway across the palate, revealing a delightful and balanced structure before the wine glides to a lovely and soft, earthy finish. It should drink well for another six or seven years, likely showing some bottle variance. If this is still in your cellar, I would consider opening it sooner rather than later. Decanting is recommended.
By carving out specific vineyard blocks and being meticulous in the vineyard and cellar they are able to achieve the quality they aspire to, the result being highly-acclaimed wines that compete on the world stage.
As importantly over the years our winery culture has become a way of life in which everyone – our growers, winery team and customers are family.
Today, Betz Family Winery is headed by two families, committed to be true to their heritage, their family members and true to what Betz embodies: wines of dimension and pleasure that allow the character of Washington to shine through.
Washington produces so many exciting wines, and that definitely includes Columbia Valley Cabernet Sauvignon. With over 10,000 acres under vine, Cabernet Sauvignon is now the most widely-grown varietal in the state. Terrific examples hail from sub-appellations like Red Mountain, Wahluke Slope, Horse Heaven Hills and Walla Walla Valley. One of the fascinations of these Columbia Valley Cabs is that they so often seem to have one foot in the New World and one in the Old. Representing the former are characteristics like the ripe, forward fruit that results from long sunny days during the growing season (up to two hours longer than in much of California). Old World similarities include an undeniable brightness from acidity, as well as notes of herbs, graphite and a dusty, sometimes gravelly minerality.
Whether you’re looking for a budget bottle for everyday enjoyment, or a stellar, world-class wine with tremendous aging potential, Columbia Valley Cabernet Sauvignon wines can deliver the goods! Among the many fine options are bottles from Columbia Crest, Chateau Ste. Michelle, L’ecole #41, Quilceda Creek and Leonetti.