Bryant Family Bettina Proprietary Red 2013

Bryant Family Bettina Proprietary Red 2013 is a full-bodied Napa Valley red blend bottled at 15.1% ABV in a standard 750ml format. Awarded 97 points by James Suckling, this dark, brooding wine from the 2013 vintage stands apart for its unusually high proportion of Merlot, which lends it distinctive richness and polish.

Quick Facts: ABV: 15.1%  |  Origin: Pritchard Hill, Napa Valley, California  |  Vintage: 2013  |  Producer: Bryant Family Vineyard

Production & Heritage

Bryant Family Vineyard is one of the most sought-after producers on Pritchard Hill, a coveted sub-region of Napa Valley known for its elevation and volcanic soils. The 2013 Bettina is composed of 62.3% Cabernet Sauvignon, 30.2% Merlot, and 7.5% Petit Verdot, sourced from three acclaimed David Abreu-farmed vineyards: Madrona, Thorevilos, and Howell Mountain. The 2013 vintage carried a notably higher Merlot component than typical Bettina releases because the Cabernet Franc in the blend suffered from virus issues that year — a circumstance that, according to critics, actually gave the wine a striking edge and beauty, particularly from the Howell Mountain Merlot fruit.

Tasting Notes

Aroma: The nose opens with crushed dark berry and wet earth, layered with wet slate and delicate floral hints. Deeper exploration reveals espresso and white chocolate undertones that add complexity without heaviness.

Taste: On entry, the palate meets dense, inky black fruit — blackberry and cassis dominate — followed by smoke, licorice, and tar at mid-palate. Full-bodied and powerful, the wine carries a chewy tannic structure that remains remarkably soft and polished, the elevated Merlot content contributing a velvety mid-palate richness that rounds out the Cabernet's structural backbone.

Finish: The finish is long and layered, with lingering notes of espresso, dark fruit, and subtle minerality. Fine-grained tannins persist without astringency, leaving a savory, smoke-tinged impression that slowly fades.

How to Drink Bettina 2013

This wine is best served neat in a large Bordeaux glass at 60–65°F, with at least 60–90 minutes of decanting to allow the dense structure to open fully. Given its power and complexity, Bettina 2013 is built for contemplative sipping rather than cocktail use. A splash of time in a decanter will reward patience — the floral and mineral elements become more expressive as the wine breathes. Pairing with rich cuisine is the ideal complement to its weight and depth.

Best For

• Cellaring for collectors seeking age-worthy Napa Valley reds from an exceptional vintage
• Gifting a serious wine enthusiast with a 97-point Pritchard Hill bottling
• Anchoring a special dinner centered around prime red meat or braised dishes
• Blind tasting alongside top-tier Napa Cabernet-based blends

Frequently Asked Questions

What does Bettina 2013 taste like? Bettina 2013 delivers dense blackberry and cassis layered with smoke, licorice, tar, and espresso, wrapped in a full-bodied frame with chewy yet polished tannins. It is especially dark and brooding, with underlying notes of white chocolate and wet earth adding nuance.

How does Bettina 2013 compare to Bryant Family's flagship Cabernet Sauvignon? While the Bryant Family Cabernet Sauvignon is a single-vineyard, Cabernet-dominant wine from their Pritchard Hill estate, Bettina is a multi-vineyard proprietary blend incorporating significant Merlot and Petit Verdot from David Abreu's vineyards. The 2013 Bettina's 30.2% Merlot component gives it a softer, more voluptuous mid-palate profile compared to the more structured flagship.

Is Bettina 2013 good for aging? Yes — its dense tannic structure, concentrated fruit, and high extract suggest strong cellaring potential. The 97-point score from James Suckling reflects a wine built for development, though it already drinks well with extended decanting.

Where is Bettina 2013 made? Bettina 2013 is produced by Bryant Family Vineyard in Napa Valley, California, using fruit from three David Abreu-managed vineyard sites: Madrona, Thorevilos, and Howell Mountain, all located in the hillside elevations of Napa Valley.

What foods pair well with Bettina 2013? Grilled prime ribeye steak complements the wine's smoky, tannic weight. Braised short ribs echo its dark fruit and earthy depth. Aged hard cheeses like Comté or aged Gouda match its intensity without overwhelming the palate. Roasted lamb with herbs mirrors the wine's savory, slightly floral character. Dark chocolate desserts with espresso notes tie into the wine's white chocolate and coffee undertones.

What sizes does Bettina 2013 come in? Bryant Family Bettina Proprietary Red 2013 is available in the standard 750ml bottle format.

Is Bettina 2013 worth the price? Bettina positions firmly in the ultra-premium tier, consistent with Bryant Family's reputation as one of Napa Valley's most exclusive producers. With 97 points from James Suckling and 95 points from Antonio Galloni, the critical consensus supports its standing among elite Napa red blends, and the unique 2013 blend composition adds collector interest.

Why Bettina 2013?

The 2013 Bettina is a vintage-specific expression that may never be repeated — the elevated 30.2% Merlot component, necessitated by Cabernet Franc vine issues, produced a wine that multiple critics noted for its unusual beauty and edge. James Suckling's 97-point rating places it among the highest-scored wines in Bryant Family's portfolio. Sourcing from three of David Abreu's most respected vineyard sites ensures raw material of exceptional quality, and the resulting blend captures the power of Pritchard Hill Cabernet with a mid-palate generosity that pure Cabernet bottlings rarely achieve. For collectors and serious Napa Valley enthusiasts, this is a distinctive snapshot of a great vintage shaped by circumstance into something singular.