2008 Betz Family "Cote Patriarche" Yakima Valley Syrah (Previously $70)
SKU #1120660
93 points
Wine Advocate
The 2008 Syrah La Cote Patriarche was sourced from the Red Willow Vineyard in Yakima Valley, site of the oldest Syrah planting in Washington dating from 1986. It, too, was aged for 12 months in 50% new French oak. Dense purple in color (like the La Serenne), it sports a nose of brooding black fruits, lavender, Asian spices, smoked meat, blue berry, and plum. This leads to a plush, full-figured Syrah with well-concealed tannins, excellent depth of flavor, and a lengthy, fruit-filled finish.
(8/2010)
93 points
Int'l Wine Cellar
Deep, full bright ruby. Very primary aromas of blackberry and cocoa powder. Dense, thick and very intense, with wonderfully pure fruit-driven flavors of blackberry and loganberry. Offers a superb balance of fruit, acids and tannins. Finishes very long and pure, with lovely aromatic lift and nuance. An outstanding wine in the making. These 2008 syrahs aged in 50% new oak, but Betz noted he's now using a higher percentage of slightly larger 300-liter barrels, and more Burgundy barrels.
(12/2010)
92 points
Wine Spectator
Starts off dense and earthy, but gains momentum with each sip. The ripe blackberry and currant fruit comes gurgling up and taking over. This has fine tannins around a juicy balance, lingering impressively. Best from 2012 through 2018.
(12/2010)