Important Notice

By continuing, you agree to our privacy policy, consent to cookies, and confirm you are 21 or older.

I have read and agree to the Privacy Policy and Terms of Service.

YOU MUST BE 21 OR OLDER TO CONTINUE

NYC, Long Island and The Hamptons Receive Free Delivery on Orders $300+
Cool Wine Shippers Now Available.

  • Home
  • 2011 Bryant Family Bettina Bryant Proprietary Red Wine

2011 Bryant Family Bettina Bryant Proprietary Red Wine

92+ VM

Featured Review
The 2011 Bettina is a bit closed in on itself. Dark red cherry, plum, licorice, smoke and tobacco emerge over time. Today the 2011 is a bit compact, which is not surprising considering the vintage. With time in the glass, the 2011 starts to find its typical explosive, dark personality, but today some slightly angular contours remain. The blend is 84% Cabernet Sauvignon, 8% Merlot, 5% Cabernet Franc and 3% Petit Verdot. Vinous Media

Vinous (Galloni) | 92+ VM

Critic Reviews

The 2011 Bettina is a bit closed in on itself. Dark red cherry, plum, licorice, smoke and tobacco emerge over time. Today the 2011 is a bit compact, which is not surprising considering the vintage. With time in the glass, the 2011 starts to find its typical explosive, dark personality, but today some slightly angular contours remain. The blend is 84% Cabernet Sauvignon, 8% Merlot, 5% Cabernet Franc and 3% Petit Verdot.

Vinous Media | 92+ VM
The 2011 Bettina is a strong effort in this challenging vintage. Notes of licorice, black olives, black and red currants, spicy wood and underbrush are all present in this medium-bodied, fleshy, open-knit, charming wine. Drink it over the next 10-12 years.

Since its debut vintage in 1992, the Bryant Family Vineyard Cabernet Sauvignon has always been 100% Cabernet Sauvignon made from a 13-acre vineyard atop Pritchard Hill, overlooking Lake Hennessey. It is a magnificent site that has served as a catalyst for other producers to plant vineyards in this gorgeous, distinctive micro-climate and terroir. The Bettina cuvee, named after Don Bryant’s wife, is a proprietary blend from viticulturist David Abreu’s three estate vineyards, Madrona Ranch, Thorevilos and his estate on Howell Mountain called Lucia. Often dominated by Cabernet Sauvignon, it usually includes a considerable amount of Cabernet Franc and smaller quantities of Merlot and Petit Verdot. A third cuvee called DB4 is the least expensive offering produced from the same vineyards as the Bettina. Although I have not tasted any recent vintages, it is made in a more forward, drinkable style. As for the 100% Cabernet Sauvignon flagship wine from Pritchard Hill, after a period where Bryant Family changed winemakers and there were numerous distractions (2001 and 2002), these wines have come back to represent some of the most singular and prodigious Cabernet Sauvignons of Napa Valley.

Robert Parker | 90-92 RP

Wine Details for 2011 Bryant Family Bettina Bryant Proprietary Red Wine

Type of Wine California Red : Whether it's Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Syrah or Zinfandel, Californian red wine producers have a lovely habit of taking a varietal and expressing its essence in a unique, never before seen way. From Napa Valley to the regions south of Los Angeles, there's a red for everyone - and it's never too late to start exploring.
Varietal Proprietary Blend : Proprietary Blend is a general term used to indicate that a wine is comprised of multiple grape varietals which are either “proprietary” to the winery or is blended and does not meet the required maximum or minimum percentage of a particular varietal. This also is the case for the grape’s place of origin, especially for region, appellation or vineyard designated wines. There are endless examples of blended wines which are labeled as “Proprietary Blend” and in conjunction with each region’s stipulated wine laws and regulations makes for a vast blanket for wines to fall into. Perhaps the simplest example is California; if a wine is to be labeled as Napa Valley Cabernet Sauvignon, it is required to have at least 75% of the varietal (Cabernet Sauvignon) and 85% of the fruit must be cultivated from the Napa Valley wine district. If the wine does not meet the requirements, it is then labeled as Proprietary Blend.
Country US : As one of the most prolific and innovative wine regions in the world, America is a joy to explore. Most wine connoisseurs will agree that the nation's finest and most compelling wines are being produced today, which means that we have front-row seats to one of the most inspirational stories in wine history. While other regions tend to focus on specific wine styles and have somewhat strict rules as to which varietals you could grow, areas like California have few such restrictions in place. As a result, creative visionaries behind America's most reputable estates have been able to develop compelling, unique, and innovative styles, with a level of terroir expression that rivals even France's largest giants.
Region California : With a history of wine production that dates back to the 18th century, California currently sits as one of the world's most prolific and reputable wine regions. With an area as vast as California, you can expect a colorful collage of terroir profiles, a series of microclimates, and micro-environments that give the wine a unique, memorable appeal. The region's produce is far from homogenized in that sense, and it would take you countless hours to sample all of it. While the region boasts scars from the Prohibition era, it went through what can only be described as a viticultural Renaissance sometime after the 1960s. At that point, California went from a port-style, sweet wine region to a versatile and compelling competitor on the world market. Today, no matter which way your taste in wine leans, you can find a new favorite producer among California's most talented.

Notable sub-regions include legendary names like Napa Valley and Sonoma County, places that any wine lover would die to visit. California's quintessential warm climate allows for incredibly ripe fruit expressions, a style that provides a stark contrast to Old World-inspired, earthy classics. Even where inspiration was clearly taken from staple French appellations, Californian winemakers put their own unique spin on the wine.

Overview

Producer Bryant Family : The “Cult Wines” of California have become a phenomenon over the past few decades, creating a stir among enthusiast, filling up waiting lists, and flooding the market with and exuberance that is matched by exorbitant pricing that people are more than willing to pay. Like many California cult wineries, Brant Family Vineyards has a relatively young history. Though short, the story of Bryant is one of vision shared by Don and Bettina Bryant and their quest to produce wine that reflects that vision.

After purchasing land on Pritchard Hill nearly 30 years ago, the estate was replanted to 100% Cabernet Sauvignon. Modern viticulture practices were employed and a nurturing team of local and international masters of their craft were implanted. Bryant’s diligent efforts quickly established one of California’s premier First Growth wines. The Bryant Family Vineyards Cabernet Sauvignon debuted in 1992 and is now among Napa Valley’s most acclaimed labels.

Bryant Estate wines are harvested, blended and produced entirely by hand from grapes planted and grown on the original 13-acre estate. The wines are bottled, labeled, wrapped and packaged by hand on the estate and shipped directly to clients. This hands on production helps lend a personal reflection of Don and Bettina’s vision to their customers.

Bryant Estate overlooks Lake Hennessey on the western slope of Pritchard Hill nestled in the Vaca Mountains between Oakville, Howell Mountain, Rutherford and Chiles Valley. With its prime micro-climate perched high above the Napa fog line, its rich soils of diverse geological features of volcanic structure, and Napa’s deep tradition of wine-growing makes the location nearly flawless for producing wines of elite quality. It’s no wonder Bryant Family Vineyards has enjoyed rapid success and risen to Cult status in such a short span of time.

The flagship Cabernet Sauvignon hails from tremendous terroir, a confluence of climate and soil and is nurtured by a team of experts committed to success of its creation while respecting nature. The complexity of the site yields unusually dynamic wines for a single varietal. They demonstrate structural elegance, balance with good acidity, and plush tannins; all the elements that make them very age-worthy. Annual production has ranged from 300-1,000 cases depending on the vintage.

Bryant Family produces two other wines, DB4 and Bettina, which are blends of a myriad of grapes sourced from David Abreu’s Madrona Ranch, Thorevilos and Las Posadas Vineyards.

People also bought:

1996 araujo eisele cabernet sauvignon California Red
1996 Araujo Eisele Cabernet Sauvignon California Red
95
RPHG
As low as $285.00
VIEW OPTIONS
1997 Shafer Cabernet Sauvignon Hillside Select, California Red
1997 Shafer Cabernet Sauvignon Hillside Select California Red
96
RP
As low as $365.00
VIEW OPTIONS
2010 Peter Michael Les Pavots
2010 Peter Michael Les Pavots California Red
95+
RP
As low as $299.00
VIEW OPTIONS
2006 Paul Hobbs Cabernet Sauvignon Dr Crane Vyd, California Red
2006 Paul Hobbs Cabernet Sauvignon Dr Crane Vyd California Red
95
RP
As low as $599.00
VIEW OPTIONS
2007 Vineyard 29 Aida Proprietary Red, California Red
2007 Vineyard 29 Aida Proprietary Red California Red
95-98
RP
As low as $165.00
VIEW OPTIONS
2006 Dominus, California Red
2006 Dominus California Red
96
RP
As low as $649.00
VIEW OPTIONS
2007 Marcassin Pinot Noir Marcassin Vineyard
2007 Marcassin Pinot Noir Marcassin Vineyard California Red
99+
RP
As low as $399.00
VIEW OPTIONS
2003 Shafer Cabernet Sauvignon Hillside Select, California Red
2003 Shafer Cabernet Sauvignon Hillside Select California Red
95
RP
As low as $235.00
VIEW OPTIONS
2011 dominus California Red
2011 Dominus California Red
96
DEC
As low as $295.00
VIEW OPTIONS
1995 Joseph Phelps Insignia, California Red
1995 Joseph Phelps Insignia California Red
98
RP
As low as $415.00
VIEW OPTIONS

Need Help Finding the right wine?

Your personal wine consultant will assist you with buying, managing your collection, investing in wine, entertaining and more.

Contact Your Personal Wine Consultant
Footer Logo
Sokolin uses cookies to ensure you get the best experience on our site, provide necessary website functionality and analyze our traffic. To consent, please continue shopping. Learn more.

©2025 Sokolin LLC ™. All Rights Reserved.

loader
Loading...