Betz Family Winery was founded in 1997 by Bob & Cathy Betz. Critical acclaim from local and national wine publications has put Betz Family Winery at the forefront of Washington wines alongside Cayuse, Leonetti and Quilceda Creek. The winery was sold to Steve and Bridget Griessel many years ago. Louis Skinner, a longtime assistant of Bob’s, is now the full time Winemaker.
The 2014 La Côte Rousse is 100% Syrah sourced from Ciel du Cheval Vineyard.
Purple in color. 14.2% ABV. Savory nose of black fruits, bacon fat, coffee and olive brine. Medium to full bodied with strong acidity. Dark and brooding. Black cherry, barbecued meats, espresso and roasted herbs on the palate. Tremendous length on the finish. Somewhat approachable now but certainly a wine that will drink well for years to come. Best over the next 5-7 years.
My rating: 91 points.
I understand the mailing list is full, although I suspect the wait isn’t too long. Fortunately, the wines from Betz are readily available all over Seattle almost year-round. The 2018 La Cote Rousse will be released this Fall.