2021 Columbia Valley Sauvignon Blanc
Aromas of pear, peach and fresh pineapple. Medium-bodied with fresh, stony-mineral character. Bright. Stone fruit and tropical fruit drive the palate, with herbal and peppery complexity. Nicely composed and long.— 91 points, James Suckling, jamessuckling.com
The 2021 Matthews Sauvignon Blanc represents a precise and expressive snapshot of Washington’s Yakima Valley, showcasing the varietal’s natural vibrancy and layered complexity through careful vineyard selection and thoughtful winemaking. This wine was crafted entirely from a single higher elevation vineyard in the Yakima Valley, an area renowned for its long sunny days, cool desert nights, and steady winds that preserve freshness and aromatic lift.
Vintage Overview
The 2021 growing season was marked by extremes across Washington State. Winter brought below average precipitation, followed by an early budbreak in late March and a normal to slightly early bloom period under hot and windy conditions in late May and early June. These challenging bloom conditions resulted in small clusters and naturally low yields, setting the stage for concentrated, flavorful fruit.
The most defining weather event of the vintage came in late June, when an unprecedented heat dome shattered temperature records throughout the Pacific Northwest. While the heat accelerated sugar accumulation, flavor and phenolic maturity lagged behind. For patient growers, however, the later part of the season provided a reprieve. Cool, stable fall weather allowed for a gradual catch-up in flavor development as sugar levels plateaued, yielding fruit that was both ripe and balanced.
White wines from this vintage, including this Sauvignon Blanc, are noted for their expressive aromatics, rich textures, and ripe fruit character balanced by freshness from cool harvest conditions.
Harvest and Farming Practices
The 2021 Matthews Sauvignon Blanc was sourced exclusively from select sites within the Yakima Valley, chosen for their higher elevations and well-drained soils that promote even ripening and aromatic intensity. Farmed with sustainable vineyard practices, the fruit was machine harvested in the early morning hours to maintain natural acidity and preserve delicate aromatics.
Two separate harvests took place on September 10 and September 13. The first pick displayed higher acidity and lean green fruit tones of citrus, lime, and fresh herbs. The second harvest delivered riper fruit with layers of tropical expression and textural richness. Together, they provided the building blocks for a wine that balances energy and depth.
Vinification
At the winery, the grapes from each harvest were gently pressed as whole clusters, with the resulting juice transferred to temperature controlled stainless steel tanks for fermentation and aging. Two distinct premium yeast strains were selected, one designed to emphasize the bright, zesty, and herbal side of Sauvignon Blanc, and the other to bring out texture and ripe tropical fruit nuances such as melon, guava, and passionfruit.
Fermentations were carried out slowly and deliberately at cool temperatures to retain aromatic purity and precision. After fermentation, each lot was aged on fine lees in stainless steel to enhance mouthfeel and complexity without the influence of oak.
In late March, the two lots were fined, stabilized, and blended just prior to bottling. The resulting wine captures the full spectrum of Yakima Valley Sauvignon Blanc, fresh, layered, and intensely aromatic, with purity of fruit and crisp energy from start to finish.
Only 2,818 cases were produced.
Winemaker Tasting Note
The 2021 Matthews Columbia Valley Sauvignon Blanc is pale straw in color with aromas of starfruit, white currants, lime zest, seashells, gooseberry, meringue and hay. The initial aromas are mirrored in the flavors of this medium bodied, balanced wine with great acidity. Long finish of crisp, mouthwatering citrus, gunflint and pomelo.
PRAISE FOR THE 2021 MATTHEWS COLUMBIA VALLEY SAUVIGNON BLANC
“Aromas of pear, peach and fresh pineapple. Medium-bodied with fresh, stony-mineral character. Bright. Stone fruit and tropical fruit drive the palate, with herbal and peppery complexity. Nicely composed and long. Drink now.”
91 points, James Suckling, jamessuckling.com
“The 2021 Sauvignon Blanc by Matthews was aged in stainless steel and reveals a nose of lilac, slight pineapple, and lemon. Pale yellow in color, it showed good crispness and acidity. On the palate, it gave up nectarine, Meyer lemon, pear, grapefruit, and stone. Light-bodied and refreshing, this wine can be enjoyed anytime over the next 5-7 years.”
90 Points, Rob Geresi, International Wine Report