The 2015 Père de Famille is a blend of 87% Cabernet Sauvignon, 9% Petit Verdot, and 4% Merlot that's mostly from Red Mountain aged 20 months in 70% new French oak. This inky colored effort is packed and stacked, with deep blackberry and currant fruits intermixed with lots of graphite, crushed rock, and minerals as well as smoky, violets aromas and flavors. This full-bodied beauty has gorgeous purity and elegance. It needs 2-4 years of bottle age and will keep for two decades.

A blend of 87% Cabernet Sauvignon, 9% Petit Verdot and 4% Merlot, the 2015 Cabernet Sauvignon Père de Famille exhibits complex aromas of pencil lead, inky dark fruit, wild blueberries, black truffle, incense and anise. On the palate, it's full-bodied, layered and very concentrated, with a deep core of sappy fruit, rich structuring tannins and a long, penetrating finish. This will need some time in the cellar, but it's very complete and full of promise.

(14.5% alcohol; the Cabernet Sauvignon received longer skin contact during fermentation--12 days, or about 50% longer than usual; a blend of Betz's best barrels): Dark ruby-red. Musky currant, blackberry, black cherry, sweet plum and black olive on the nose. A step up in definition and nuance from the Clos de Betz, with its classic Cabernet dark fruit flavors complicated by sexy oak spices from the Taransaud barrels and lifted by a note of black pepper. Boasts a sensual texture with good lift; not a blockbuster like the 2014 version but this may be more complex. This wonderfully supple yet firm wine finishes with creamy, palate-saturating length.

Appealing aromas of bay leaf, cherry, herb, bittersweet chocolate, incense and spice are followed by an action-packed palate, loaded with sweet, polished, elegant fruit flavors. Well-integrated tannins provide support. All about sophistication and delicacy, it shows a remarkable amount of freshness and focus considering the warmth of the vintage. Anise and currant notes linger on the finish. Best after 2026 with a very long life in front of it.

Offers structure and refinement, with currant and spiced tea flavors that build momentum toward broad-shouldered yet polished tannins. Best from 2020 through 2025. 1,111 cases made.