One of the famed wines of Washington State, the ‘Clos de Betz’ honors Bob and Cathy Betz’s winery origins, dating back to 1973. It was in that year that Bob and Cathy visited one of the famed vineyards of Burgundy, the Clos de Beze and they vowed to one day produce a wine that pays homage to this famed location, creating a wine with great terroir and expression.
Bob Betz created the Clos de Betz back with the 1997 vintage and the rest has been history as this has been one of the most well-known expressions of Washington Merlot since its inception. It was an honor last Friday to taste every vintage (other than 1998) of the Clos de Betz red wine with Betz head winemaker Louis Skinner. Over several hours we moved through more than 20 wines as we shared our thoughts on each vintage.
One thing that stuck me, and did not surprise me, was the overall quality in the wines. There were no duds in this tasting, as all wines showed marvelously even at more than twenty years of age. Sure, a few might have shined brighter than others, but even the wines made in challenging vintages were beautiful. For my palate the two vintages that did not show quite as well were the cooler years, 2010 and 2011. I would not sit on those wines any longer.
We were all floored how the older wines showed and I was mesmerized by the 1997 ‘Clos de Betz’ (OB, 91) which is still alive and kicking. The mid-palate depth began to slowly dissipate after an hour but my initial approach to this wine was just incredible. This wine is proof that Washington Merlot can age gracefully. Even better was the 1999 ‘Clos de Betz’ (OB, 94) which is loaded with finesse from this cooler vintage. I love where this wine is at right now, just pillowy soft and inviting. Just as good was the 2018 ‘Clos de Betz’ (OB, 94) which is no doubt the most powerful of the lineup and shows some very serious cellaring potential. I adored the 2014 ‘Clos de Betz’ (OB, 94) which is still quite primary but is very slowly making its move into secondary notes. What a beauty! Essentially all of the wines from 2000-2009 were outstanding and remarkably consistent. These were a run of downright great vintages and the wines also appeared as very true to the vintages. In short, this was an extraordinary tasting that proves that great Washington Merlot can age. Here are my tasting notes from this glorious ‘Clos de Betz’ vertical tasting with Betz Family Winery.
2019 Betz ‘Clos de Betz’ Red Wine- Very dark in the glass, the 2019 Betz ‘Clos de Betz’ Red Wine is a silky blend of 51% Merlot, 21% Cabernet Sauvignon, and 28% Petit Verdot that is already nicely evolved. Once on the nose this takes on tar, dried herbs and coffee ground notes with copious dark fruits. The palate shows good richness considering the coolness of the vintage. Dense dark fruits combine with good structure on the palate. Enjoy now and over the next decade. Drink 2023-2033- 93
2018 Betz ‘Clos de Betz’ Red Wine- The 2018 Betz ‘Clos de Betz’ Red Wine is a really outstanding bottling that is one of the greats of this tasting. Rich and voluptuous on the mouth, this shows a seamless texture that produces a weightless effect. Layers of roasted figs, mocha, scorched earth and heady blackberry notes all combine on the palate. Refined tannins and bright acidity frame this beautiful wine that is drinking beautifully now at the five year mark. Drink 2023-2038- 94
2017 Betz ‘Clos de Betz’ Red Wine- The 2017 ‘Clos de Betz’ is a fantastic showing from this slightly cooler vintage. This is an ultra-fresh wine, showing fragrant black rose tones on the nose with boysenberry and Arabica mean notes. The palate is deep and concentrated, loaded with ripe dark fruit flavors. This is a treat to enjoy now, as it will easily go for another decade. Drink 2023-2033- 93
2016 Betz ‘Clos de Betz’ Red Wine- A dense and layered Merlot red wine to enjoy now, the 2016 Betz ‘Clos de Betz’ Red Wine is drinking marvelously already at the seven year mark. Loaded with roasted figs, black currants, tar and Turkish coffee flavors, this is a dense and chewy effort that is highly enjoyable to taste — and will cellar for at least another decade to come. Drink 2023-2033- 93
2015 Betz ‘Clos de Betz’ Red Wine- The 2015 ‘Clos de Betz’ is a delightful wine from this warm vintage that saw Merlot harvested in August. This has really come around on the mid-palate since last tasted. Layers of milk chocolate combine with black currants, espresso grounds and shades of black licorice. This is really good wine considering the heat of the vintage. No reason to cellar so enjoy now! Drink 2023-2029- 92
2014 Betz ‘Clos de Betz’ Red Wine- The 2014 ‘Clos de Betz’ combines some top vineyards including DuBrul Vineyard Merlot, Red Willow Vineyard Merlot as well as a good portion of Olsen Vineyard Petit Verdot. In the glass this shows a very dense core. Very plush and soft on the mouth, this shows a refined texture and wonderful sense of structure. Elegant tannins combine with mocha, tar, black currants and blackberry compote on the palate. This is elegant, refined Merlot that is drinking marvelously now. Drink 2023-2035- 94
2013 Betz ‘Clos de Betz’ Red Wine- This 2013 vintage has as high percentage of Olsen Vineyard Petit Verdot blended in. Mocha, tar and roasted dates all mark the nose. The palate shows good flavor density with refined tannins and great texture on the mouth. Layers of milk chocolate covered black cherry and cigar box tones combine with coffee grounds on the palate. Very structured and dense, this will age gracefully for another decade. Drink 2023-2033- 93
2012 Betz ‘Clos de Betz’ Red Wine- The 2012 ‘Clos de Betz’ is marvelous wine from this very classic vintage. This has evolved to be exceedingly youthful and fragrant on the nose. Black rose water and dark chocolate flavors combine with light tannins on the palate. Less on the fleshy side for this wine and more on the structured and nuanced side, this still has a long way to go in the cellar. Drink 2023-2033- 93
2011 Betz ‘Clos de Betz’ Red Wine- The 2011 ‘Clos de Betz’ comes off lean and herbal, with angular tannins. This seems to be past its peak. Drink 2023-2025- 89
2010 Betz ‘Clos de Betz’ Red Wine- The 2010 ‘Clos de Betz’ Red Wine is a touch lean from this vintage. Lighter blackberry and black cherry notes mingle with good underlying finesse. Drink now. Drink 2023-2025- 90
2009 Betz ‘Clos de Betz’ Red Wine- The heady 2009 Betz ‘Clos de Betz’ Red Wine is a fantastic showing now at fourteen year mark. For my palate this wine shows considerably better than the ’10 or ’11. Dark chocolate shavings, tar and tobacco leaf flavors combine with silty soils on the palate. The level of nuance and rich mouthfeel really satisfies and serves as a reminder how good this vintage was. Very fresh even now, this is drinking beautifully at this juncture — and has a long way to go. Drink 2023-2033- 92
2008 Betz ‘Clos de Betz’ Red Wine- The 2008 Clos de Betz is a stunning showing which is wonderfully fresh with gobs of bright acidity. Layers of boysenberry and black currants combine with smoky minerals with sandalwood notes on the palate. Finishing long with black fruits and minerals, this displays the very pure quality of Merlot. The 2008 is clearly a great wine from a great vintage. Drink 2023-2033- 94
2007 Betz ‘Clos de Betz’ Red Wine- The 2007 evokes some beautiful high tones on the nose wth violets, black currants and wet gravel. The palate is remarkably fresh with good purity of black fruits. Still wonderfully fresh, enjoy now and over the next eight plus years. Drink 2023-2031- 93
2006 Betz ‘Clos de Betz’ Red Wine- Really delicious to consume now, the 2006 Clos de Betz offers milk chocolate tones alongside dried herbs and blackberry notes. The palate has good freshness and shows a beautiful purity of fruit, with good flavor density. No reason to sit on this beauty. Drink 2023-2028- 93
2005 Betz ‘Clos de Betz’ Red Wine- The 2005 ‘Clos de Betz’ is deeply colored in the glass. It is rich and voluptuous on the mouth, loaded with rich flavors. Mocha, creosote, garrigue and roasted dates combine with boysenberry flavors. This is a stunning, decadent showing that is drinking beautifully right now. Enjoy over the next decade. Drink 2023-2030- 94
2004 Betz ‘Clos de Betz’ Red Wine- The gorgeous 2004 ‘Clos de Betz’ is very fresh on the nose with dense dark fruits and pencil lead notes. The palate shows good structure and carries mocha, ripe figs and copious minerals. Drink now. Drink 2023-2027- 92
2003 Betz ‘Clos de Betz’ Red Wine- Nearly as good as the 2001, the more flamboyant and hedonistic 2003 is an outstanding showing from this warmer vintage. Macerated cherry, ripe date and blackberry flavors with toasty oak all combine on the palate. This is dense and delicious, highly reductive wine that won’t get any better. Drink 2023-2027- 92
2002 Betz ‘Clos de Betz’ Red Wine- The 2002 Clos de Betz is deep and refined wine that comes from this stunning vintage in the Columbia Valley. Littered with dense dark fruits (figs, black currants, blackberries) with freshly tilled salty soils and lovely underlying acidity greet you on the palate. Finishing long with black currants and minerals, this is truly delicious wine that is literally singing now at the twenty plus year mark. Drink 2023-2033- 94
2001 Betz ‘Clos de Betz’ Red Wine- Coming from a slightly warmer year, the 2001 Clos de Betz is highly perfumed with its red rose petals once on the nose. The palate is deep and concentrated with gobs of finesse and beautiful pomegranate and Bing cherry fruits. With more air the light wild mushroom notes combine with the beautiful underlying freshness and salinity. This is really refined 2001 that still has a ways to go in the cellar. Drink 2023-2030- 93
2000 Betz ‘Clos de Betz’ Red Wine- The 2000 Clos de Betz also displays a deep core just like the ’99. Green bell pepper aromas with black tea, boysenberry and cocoa powder with a light medicinal edge all meld in the glass. The palate is very soft and seamless with great underlying acidity and a light dusting of salinity. This is seriously good stuff to enjoy now and is one of the better wines I have tasted recently from the somewhat challenging 2000 vintage. Drink 2023-2030- 93
1999 Betz ‘Clos de Betz’ Red Wine- This 1999 Clos De Betz comes from the very classic, cooler vintage. It is showing unbelievably well right now. Immediately gratifying grapheme much and wild blackberry and garrrigue notes hit the nose with red bell pepper all impress. The palate has great density and finesse. This is one of the great wines I have tasted from this vintage — a total home run! Drink 2023-2030- 94
1997 Betz ‘Clos de Betz’ Red Wine- 1997 marked the first vintage of this wine. This Merlot dominant blend displays beautiful medicinal notes on the nose, with dried sage, white pepper, bergamot and ripe red cherry tones on the nose. The palate is still fresh and well-balanced with lighter to medium-bodied red fruit flavors, with nice underlying finesse and light tannins producing structure. Enjoy now. Drink 2023-2027- 91