There’s little doubt about this wine’s varietal heritage; Cabernet Sauvignon’s typical black currant, mulberry and black cherry dominate the nose. Petit Verdot plays a strong supporting role, at a full 10% of the blend, bringing a classic, Bordeaux-esque complexity, with anise, Asian spice, mineral and cigar box aromas. A toasty vanilla sweetness hints at the 16 months in 100% French oak barrels aging. 

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.

Blending Detail and Aging Profile

Blending Detail:

• 85% Cabernet Sauvignon
• 10% Petit Verdot
• 5% Merlot

Barrel Program:

• 16 months in 100% French oak barrels aging, 65% new
• 35% one fill (one year neutralized oak)

AVA & Vineyard Detail:

• 70% Red Mountain
• 23% Horse Heaven Hills
• 7% Yakima Valley

Acclaim

From Robert Parker’s The Wine Advocate: “96 points

…Betz’s attention to detail is legendary… glass-coating opaque purple color, … an expressive perfume of sandalwood, mineral, truffle, espresso, incense, violets, and blackberry. Suave on the palate with well-integrated fine-grained tannins, this sweetly-fruited, dense, layered offering will benefit from 6-8 years of cellaring, with a drinking window from 2016 to 2038.”

From Steven Tanzer’s International Wine Cellar: 
“… 94+ points. 

Deep, silky and compellingly sweet, … extremely long aftertaste… superb cabernet … a stunning core of sappy fruit, with a licorice note from a bit of petit verdot that gives it a Pauillac-like character … The finishing breadth and spreading tannins are spectacular…”