If the story of Washington’s vineyards in 2013 was focused on the “Tale of Two Harvests” (early September harvest of Merlot and later harvest of Cabernet Sauvignon), the story in the cellar revolved around the exceptional quality of our Merlot blocks: from our coolest sites in the Yakima Valley, to our warmest blocks on Red Mountain, the resulting merlot wines show density, vibrant fruit flavors, and sweet tannins.
While Père de Famille highlights the later picking dates of this year’s Cabernet Sauvignon, this year’s Clos de Betz reflects the uninterrupted warmth and earlier harvest that Merlot enjoyed in 2013. Merlot showed a “completeness” in 2013 that can be hard to achieve every year from a single variety.

In the glass, the 2013 Clos de Betz displays a deep ruby hue, but the real excitement begins with the aromatics: black cherry, damson plum, and cocoa bean lead the charge, while leather, tobacco, sage, and truffle all show up with time in the glass. The palate offers merlot’s weight and density, yet faithfully expresses the freshness and detail of the vintage. This is further enhanced by the highest percentage ever of Petit Verdot in this blend (20%): dried thyme and pencil lead nuances add stunning complexity. This vintage of Clos de Betz reminds me of a classic, warmer, Right Bank wine, with both readiness and structure, and notable cellaring capacity.

Blending Detail and Aging Profile

 Blending Details:

• 64% Merlot
• 15% Cabernet Sauvignon
• 20% Petit Verdot

Barrel Program:

• 100% New French Oak 

Aging Profile:

• Serve cool, 60-62°F
• Drink from 2016-2024+

AVA & Vineyard Detail:

• Columbia Valley 

Acclaim

Robert Parker's Wine Advocate
Barrel Sample (93-95)
"Inky colored, it has terrific and classic notes of plums, black raspberry, violets, espresso and scorched earth to go with full-bodied richness, lots of fruit and mid-palate depth, and an overriding sense of elegance and purity that carries through the finish. I wrote "classic" about three time in the note, and this is a beautiful 2013 that will cruise for 15 years or more in the cellar."