Cabernet Sauvignon, Betz Family Winery 'Père de Famille'

90% Cabernet Sauvignon/6% Petit Verdot/4% Merlot

The 2017 Père de Famille starts vibrantly with a brilliant, ruby-magenta color that extends from one rim of the glass to the other, hinting at the wild aromatics to follow. There’s a wide range of rich aromas: black and blue fruit, fresh bay leaf, thyme and eucalyptus, violets, and tobacco. On the palate, the wine has power and plushness with rich cassis, baking spice, and pronounced salinity. The lengthy finish is mouthwatering, permeated by the minerality that lingers throughout. Elegant and muscular, this is delicious now but has the promise of a long life ahead in the cellar.

A blend of Cabernet Sauvignon, Petit Verdot and Merlot, the 2017 Pere de Famille has a rich nose of black fruit and a structured, chewy core. Medium-bodied and dense on the palate, the wine shows an impeccable balance and steadily growing tannins on the back of the mid-palate. Soft purple flowers evolve with the robust expression while still in the mouth, and the finish is bold and precise—the flavors persist with great complexity long after the wine has left the mouth.

The 2017 La Serenne is a stunner from the moment it hits the glass with dark, coating, black-purple color. This vintage used almost 60% whole-clusters in the ferment, more than ever before. The aromatics reflect it: lavender, fennel, white pepper and tarragon join inky, blackberry purée, huckleberry and dark chocolate. The mouthfeel is luscious, velvety and round bringing smoky coffee bean and fresh herbs to the fore. A polished tannic backbone promises a long cellar life, but it’s hard to resist right now.