2008 Besoleil

The latest collection begins with the purple-colored 2008 Besoleil, a multi-regional blend from four renowned terroirs. It is composed of 82% Grenache, 9% Mourvedre, and 9% Syrah aged for 12 months in one-fill French oak. Aromas of herbs, underbrush, lavender, black cherry, and blueberry lead to a medium to full-bodied, layered, savory wine with loads of spice, excellent volume, intense flavors, and a lengthy, pure finish. Give it 2-3 years to fully blossom and drink it through 2020. Bob Betz, MW, and his family continue to make some of Washington’s finest wine. Betz’s attention to detail is legendary; everything is done for a reason. He sources great fruit, oversees the farming, and his fine-tuned palate ensures the correct call on all the blends. Tel. (425) 861-9823; www.betzfamilywinery.com

Vibrant and fresh, the 2008 Betz Family Bésoleil is roughly 80% Grenache with the rest a mix of Syrah and Mourvèdre. It presents a lively, pure and focused bouquet of both red and black fruits, flowers, pepper and earth. This leads to a medium bodied wine that displays sweet, textured fruit, fresh acidity and a long, classy finish. All in all, this is an outstanding, pure and downright pretty wine to drink over the following 10 to 12 years.