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theCompass mobile application is a winery, brewery, and distillery locator for North America. |
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Betz Family Vineyard
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For years we’ve believed that Washington’s Columbia Valley produces some of this country’s finest grapes. Our “research” over the past 30 years in nearly every vineyard region in the US and Europe keeps us coming back to the natural character of Washington wines. They’re a blend of the best elements of the new and old worlds: full, ripe fruit, yet textured for food and structured for longevity. Our goal at Betz Family Winery is to craft compelling wines with individual character that reflect the vineyards the grapes come from and our dedication to them. Since the late 1960s we’ve enjoyed countless hours studying how vintners grow their grapes and craft their wines. A year in the vineyards of Italy, France and Germany followed by numerous adventures throughout the US and other European vineyards have provided a perspective that we hope to bring to our winemaking.
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Directions
From I-405 take the NE 124th Street/Totem Lake Exit (#20 B) and head east on NE 124th street.
Proceed 2.3 miles, crossing the Sammamish Valley. Turn left (north) onto the Woodinville-Redmond Road. Our winery is on the right (east) side of the road about 1/2 mile north, just after passing the golf driving range on your left.
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2002 Cabernet Sauvignon Père de Famille
We added Malbec to this blend in 2002. One of the lesser known Bordeaux varieties, Malbec has emerged this past decade as a serious performer in Washington’s Columbia Valley, its black-skin adding plenty of complexity to our wines. While it’s only 6% of this blend, Malbec added juiciness and notes of sweet blackberry and camphor, without it the 2002 Père de Famille would simply be less complete. We source Malbec from the Alder Ridge Vineyard, thinning the clusters to a maximum 3 tons/acre yield. Yet the core of the 2002 Père de Famille is still Cabernet Sauvignon (77%). Fruit from the Red Mountain vineyards, Ciel du Cheval and Klipsun, dominate the blend with their power and depth. Other Cabernet Sauvignon grapes in the blend came from the Alder Ridge Vineyard bringing length and elegance, and the Boushey Vineyard contributing a bright, gentle fruitiness. Rounding out the wine were a few barrels of Merlot (17%) from both Alder Ridge and Ciel du Cheval.
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Cabernet Sauvignon Përe de Famille
Classy cabernet aromas of cassis, blueberry, iodine, minerals, tar, tobacco leaf, mocha and sexy oak spices. Sweet, lush and thick; conveys a high-pH feel without coming across as heavy. The chewy, layered currant and spice flavors are perked up by a captivating minerality. Finishes with firm, broad tannins, palate-saturating fruit and terrific length. 93 points
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Clos de Betz
We shifted the Clos de Betz vineyard and variety mix a bit in 2002, and increased its hedonistic personality. There’s more Merlot (57%) than the past two vintages, and it shows in the plum, black cherry and bittersweet chocolate notes in both aroma and flavor. Also, we replaced the Walla Walla Merlot that we used to have with older vine Merlot from the Ciel du Cheval Vineyard on Red Mountain. We were able to carve out an entire acre of 1974 planted vines from this classic vineyard. These 30 year old vines are producing Merlot as fine as any in America: complex, rich and silky. Over the past few decades I’ve come to appreciate the contribution older vines can make to wine quality, especially when grown under the eye of veteran Jim Holmes of Ciel du Cheval.
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Clos de Betz
58% merlot, 30% cabernet sauvignon, 6% cabernet franc and 6% petit verdot) Bright ruby-red. Currant, tobacco and musky espresso on the nose, with suggestions of exotic chocolate, graphite and mocha. Lush, suave and sweet, with generous black raspberry and mineral flavors. Wonderfully plump in the middle. Finishes very long and sophisticated, with sweet tannins. A steal at the price. 92 points.
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