2021 Matthews Columbia Valley Claret
The 2021 vintage marks a pivotal point for the Matthews brand.— 94 points, Anthony Mueller, The Wine Advocate
Cabernet Sauvignon–dominant blends are among the world’s most beloved wines. Born on Bordeaux’s Left Bank, the classic combination of Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Cabernet Franc, Malbec, and Petit Verdot has anchored great cellars and restaurant lists for generations. The style surged in Tuscany in the 1970s and in Napa during the 1990s for good reason: in the right hands these varieties create texture, harmony, and depth that feel otherworldly.
The Columbia Valley is a gift to this tradition. Our region ripens all five Bordeaux grapes in balance year after year, rewarding thoughtful farming and creative blending. At Matthews, we’re fortunate to work across several of the Valley’s most compelling AVAs, an advantage that proved essential for our flagship Cabernet Sauvignon-blend, Claret, in 2021.
The 2021 Matthews Columbia Valley Claret is drawn from small parcels across the Valley, with key sites in Horse Heaven Hills, Red Mountain, and Royal Slope, along with the famed Conner Lee Vineyard. Together they express the breadth of flavor and aroma possible in a Cabernet Sauvignon–led blend from Washington’s diverse terroirs.
Beginning with the 2021 season, our new winemaking team partnered closely with vineyard managers to refine viticulture block by block. Yields were reduced by roughly 30% to encourage small, concentrated berries. This discipline, paired with careful canopy work, allowed us to extend harvest 3–6 weeks later than prior vintages so each site could reach ideal ripeness and flavor.
Fruit was hand-harvested in the cool early morning from late September into early October, culminating on October 28. At the winery, every lot was cluster-sorted, destemmed, and berry-sorted. After a two-day cold soak, fermentations ran about 14 days, followed by ~14 additional days of extended maceration. The result was 32+ days on skins for integrated color, polished tannins, and layered spice.
Élevage took place in French oak (27% new) for 19 months, with malolactic in barrel. Throughout aging, each lot was tasted and tracked for its role in the final composition.
In spring 2023, we selected 201 barrels for the final cuvée. The 2021 Claret brings together 22 clones across five Bordeaux varieties, building nuance and dimension:
Cabernet Sauvignon: 2, 4, 6, 8, 15, 21, 31, 169, 191, 337, 338
Merlot: 2, 3, 6, 15, 18, 181
Cabernet Franc: 1, 214, 327
Malbec: 4
Petit Verdot: 1
The wine was bottled in June 2023, unfined and minimally filtered, to preserve texture and aromatic detail. Only 5,083 cases were made.
Winemakers tasting notes:
“The 2021 Columbia Valley Claret is an inky deep garnet in the glass with a rich magenta rim. Powerful aromas of juicy black raspberry, fresh fig, ginger spice, and cigar wrapper lead to decadent flavors of bourbon cherries, violets, blackberry pie, and allspice. The full-bodied mouthfeel is unctuous with broad velvety tannins. Graphite and ripe berry reduction remain on the dense, textural, and persistent finish.” - Winemaker Alex Stewart
Praise for the 2021 Columbia Valley Claret:
"Made from 34% Cabernet Sauvignon, 30% Cabernet Franc, 29% Merlot, 5% Malbec and 2% Petit Verdot, the 2021 Claret opens with a broad, deep and juicy profile. It marks a monumental shift in the house style, showcasing a step in the right direction for quality-focused wine crafted with specific intentions. This wine is big and juicy, with a generous and well-rounded character that is not lacking in any aspect. The Claret is fresh and complex, unfolding fruit, oak and spice layers. It features fine-grained tannins and succulent acidity, creating a brilliant and flavorful finish that has me craving food. Bravo. The wine aged 19 months in 27% new French oak. The 2021 vintage marks a pivotal point for the Matthews brand. 60,996 bottles produced.”
94 points, Antony Mueller, The Wine Advocate
“A Cabernet dominant blend of all five Bordeaux varietals. This wine's wild anise savoury notes drive forward the aromatics, followed by ripe fruits and a touch of frankincense. There is a linear element to the fruit that cuts through the ripe, fleshy palate. It comes together with notes of dried thyme, white peppercorn, and dollops of red and black berries. There is an undeniable ripeness with a crunchy fruit character that brings it home.”
94 points, Clive Pursehouse, Decanter
“My favorite of the “base” wines from Matthews, the 2021 Claret is a lovely combo of 34% Cabernet Sauvignon, 29% Merlot, 30% Cab Franc, 5% Malbec, and 2% Petit Verdot that spent 19 months in 27% new French oak. An inviting dark ruby-purple core with a light purple rim in the glass, it sports a bouquet of dried blueberries, blackberries, mountain sage, tobacco leaf, dried rose, sweet cinnamon, cassis, and plum skin. Lush tannins, perfect acidity, and a medium-bodied mouthfeel complete the wine.”
94 points, Jeremy Young, International Wine Report
"Every bit outstanding the 2021 Claret combines Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc and Merlot with smaller parts Malbec and Petit Verdot. Chocolate and espresso grounds mark the nose alongside shades of huckleberry and dried herbs. The palate is soft and well-balanced with a smooth texture. Showing salty and earthy undertones, this is a fantastic showing that displays each varietal working in seamless motion.”
94 points, Owen Bargreen, owenbargreen.com
“A handsome blend that's generous and structured, with dynamic black cherry and plum flavors highlighted by green tea and toasted spice flavors, finishing with polished tannins. Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, Merlot, Malbec and Petit Verdot.”
93 points, Tim Fish, Wine Spectator
“A delightfully ripe blackberry aroma joins notes of grilled portobello mushrooms, mint and wood smoke in an effort to convince you to break out the backyard grill. The flavors are similar, with blackberries and blueberries laced with traces of vanilla and a caffè mocha. Pair this claret with a fire in the fireplace.”
93 points, Michael Alberty, Wine Enthusiast