2007 La Serenne Syrah
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Tasting notes
Naughty heavy bottle. Very dark. Savoury, leathery nose and then notable sweetness on the palate. Very dramatic and flashy – not that much Syrah character and possibly very slightly too obvious acidity and alcohol on the finish but certainly a well-made wine from Master of Wine, ex Château Ste Michelle, Bob Betz. (JR)
Critic scores
Average Score
Jancis Robinson MW
Stephen Tanzer, Vinous
More reviews and scores
Bright ruby. Musky raspberry, smoked meat, violet pastille and charred oak on the nose. Wonderfully fresh and deep, with a distinctly primary quality to its intense dark berry flavors complicated by dried herbs. A seamless and very youthful syrah with lovely purity of fruit and terrific energy. Small-berry tannins are present but perfectly integrated with the wine's fruit. This wine stayed on its gross lees until July of 2008, noted winemaker/proprietor Bob Betz.
The 2007 La Serenne is 95% Yakima Valley Syrah from the Boushey Vineyard with the balance coming from the Kiona Vineyard in Red Mountain. A saturated purple in color, it has a brooding but delectable nose of smoked meat, saucisson, spice box, incense, and blueberry. Dense yet suave on the palate, this ripe, intensely flavored Syrah is impeccably balanced with enough structure to evolve for 4-6 years. It will offer a drinking window extending from 2013 to 2022. Betz Family Winery remains one of Washington’s benchmarks for top quality wines from Rhone and Bordeaux grape varieties. Bob Betz’s 2007 collection shows him continuing at the top of his game (with plenty of help from his family). Tel. (425) 861-9823; www.betzfamilywienry.com