Betz Family Winery Cabernet Sauvignon Père de Famille 2017, Columbia Valley, Washington

2012 vintage – 90% Cabernet Sauvignon, 4% Petit Verdot, 6% Merlot. Its inky purple color, muscular structure and plush texture all point to its New World origins. But the aromas of pure, layered black fruits, graphite, crushed rock and lavender lead back to the Old World. The 2012 Pere de Famille has the highest level of Cabernet Sauvignon ever used in this wine. Add to that the high concentration of Red Mountain grapes (84%), deep and structured, and it yields a wine as generous as any Cabernet we’ve made. It showed such density in barrel that 3 months barrel aging was added to resolve the tannins and body. It’s weighty and yet balanced, fleshy yet fine grained, powerful yet polished. And unabashedly Cabernet Sauvignon, with its black currants, anise/thyme, savory mouth feel and dusty finish.