WTN: In the Hall of the Red Mountain King

[David M. Bueker]

• 2015 Betz Family Syrah La Côte Rousse - USA, Washington, Columbia Valley, Red Mountain (7/11/2021)
  I bought a lot of Betz based on critical praise, and a small selection of bottles poured by friends. Since then I had a number of disappointments. This bottle was not one of them. Boysenberry fruit, smoke, flowers and black pepper, this wine delivered the goods. It was already showing well when I popped it open, but I followed it over two days, and it kept powering through. Balanced, deep and just a whole lot of palate pleasure. This can certainly age, as it has the structure to back up the fruit, but it’s really good now.

[Jenise]

I've only had a small handful of Betz wines. They're well-made, solid wines but I've never been dazzled enough to seek them out.

[David M. Bueker]

I gave up buying them. Figures this one would stun.

[Jenise]

Best wine of theirs I've had was also a syrah, but if they make more than one, it was the other one. Sirena, maybe?

[David M. Bueker]

La Serenne

They make four.

[Jenise]

Yes, I'm sure it was that one. Makes more sense too since Sirena is Italian for sister I believe and Betz only uses French names.

Funny to hear, I've had Betz wines many times over the years, and while they have always been good, they have never been great for me. I know so may people that love them and would line up to buy them but I'm just not one of them.