2016 Betz Family Winery Pere de Famille Cabernet Sauvignon

"Lastly, the 2016 Cabernet Sauvignon Pere de Famille is another flawlessly balanced, pure, powerful 2016 that knocks it out of the park in terms of quality. Crème de cassis, blackberries, lead pencil, iron, and violet notes all emerge from this inky colored, full-bodied, yet ultra-fine Cabernet Sauvignon that does everything right. A blend of 75% Cabernet Sauvignon, 20% Petit Verdot, and 5% Merlot that’s mostly from Red Mountain, it has the balance and texture to shine even today yet will keep for 20+ years. The Griessel Family and winemaker Louis Skinner, with plenty of help from Bob Betz, continue to keep this estate near the top of the hierarchy in Washington, as well as all of the United States. Skinner commented that while 2017 was a hot vintage, smoke from massive fires in California and Oregon blocked a portion of the UV light which kept temperatures down, slowed ripening and delayed harvest. The result was good of hang time with the wines still showing sunny, perfumed characters. The 2016 Bordeaux variety releases showed beautifully." 97/100 - Jeb Dunnuck