2001 Betz Family Clos de Betz
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Tasting notes
Sweet red currant liqueur, cassis, and copious spices make up the nose of the outstanding 2001 Clos de Betz. A suave, densely packed, medium to full-bodied wine, it reveals an intense character of red cherries, blackberries, black currants, and notes of brambleberries. A hint of alcohol was detected in the finish. Anticipated maturity: now-2011. Tel. (425) 415-1751 www.betzfamilywinery.com
Critic scores
Average Score
Stephen Tanzer, Vinous
Pierre Rovani
More reviews and scores
(a blend of 65% merlot, 29% cabernet sauvignon and 6% cab franc) Good full red. Currant, black cherry, licorice, meat, graphite and smoky oak on the nose. Sappy on entry, then tight and minerally in the middle, with the wine's acids and oak currently keeping the fruit under wraps. Densely packed but a bit youthfully awkward today. The firm, persistent finish offers a suggestion of green tea. (A retaste of the 2000 version turned up a suaver, more harmonious wine that is nonetheless a bit less dense than this impressive young 2001; on my most recent tasting, the 2000 merited 91 points.)