2021 Matthews Horse Heaven Hills Claret
The Cabernet is really shining here.— 95 points, Owen Bargreen, owenbargreen.com
Claret has long been a term associated with balance, structure, and quiet power, and the Horse Heaven Hills AVA offers an ideal setting for this classic expression. Defined by elevation, persistent winds, and free draining soils, the region consistently produces wines with depth, tension, and natural energy. Long daylight hours drive ripeness, while cooling influences freshness, allowing Bordeaux inspired blends to achieve both concentration and precision.
The 2021 Matthews Horse Heaven Hills Claret is drawn from a small collection of carefully selected vineyard parcels within the Horse Heaven Hills AVA, primarily Wallula Gap Vineyard and Phinny Hill Vineyard. Together, these sites bring complementary elements of structure, aromatic lift, and layered texture, forming a wine that reflects both the power of the appellation and the finesse of thoughtful blending.
Throughout the growing season, the Matthews winemaking team worked closely with vineyard partners to navigate a challenging yet ultimately rewarding vintage. Naturally low yields and attentive farming resulted in concentrated fruit with strong varietal character, setting the stage for a Claret that is both expressive and age worthy.
Vintage Weather Overview
The 2021 growing season began with below average winter precipitation and an early bud break in late March. Bloom occurred moderately early under hot and windy conditions in late May and early June, leading to significant shatter and the formation of small clusters and berries. These conditions naturally reduced yields and heightened concentration.
Veraison began early but progressed at a more typical pace, completing on a familiar timeline. The defining moment of the vintage came in late June with the historic heat dome event, which shattered temperature records across the region. Elevated temperatures through veraison accelerated sugar development, while flavor and phenolic ripeness lagged behind, and overall acidity was lower than average.
Patience proved essential. As temperatures cooled in the fall, flavor development caught up and sugar accumulation plateaued, allowing balance to return to the fruit. Harvest conditions in September and October were cool and steady, with minimal rainfall and no early frost. The resulting red wines from 2021 show strong varietal typicity, deep concentration, and impressive structural integrity.
Harvest and Farming Practices
The vineyard parcels contributing to the 2021 Matthews Horse Heaven Hills Claret experienced significant shatter during bloom due to difficult weather conditions. Combined with the stress of the heat dome, yields were exceptionally low and flavor development required careful management throughout the season.
Growers employed a number of strategies to protect vine health and fruit quality during extreme heat, including maintaining greater canopy coverage to shade clusters and implementing continuous drip irrigation to support the vines through prolonged stress. These efforts were highly effective, resulting in a healthy and resilient crop despite the challenging conditions.
Recognizing that flavors needed additional time to fully develop, the winemaking team elected to extend hang time well into October across many sites. Fruit was hand harvested in the cool early morning hours and arrived at the winery in pristine condition, where it was immediately hand sorted to ensure only the highest quality berries were used.
Vinification
Each vineyard lot was vinified separately to preserve site specific character and build complexity at the blending stage. Upon arrival at the winery, fruit was cluster sorted, destemmed, and berry sorted before undergoing a cold soak of approximately 48 hours. Fermentation was initiated with a non saccharomyces yeast to enhance aromatic complexity and add dimensionality to the wine.
Following the cold soak, each lot was inoculated with a designer yeast and fermented under close supervision. Fermentation management was tailored to the needs of each lot through a combination of pump overs, punch downs, and pulsed air, sometimes utilizing all three methods in a single day. Temperatures were carefully monitored and controlled to achieve optimal extraction while maintaining refined tannin structure. Primary fermentation typically lasted about two weeks.
After fermentation, the wine remained on its skins for a full 30 day extended maceration to deepen texture and integrate tannins. The wine was then transferred into 100 percent new French oak barrels selected from a small group of trusted cooperages. Malolactic fermentation occurred in barrel, converting malic acid to lactic acid and contributing to a more supple mouthfeel.
After 21 months of cellaring, the final blend was assembled in tank and bottled unfined and unfiltered, preserving purity, vibrancy, and intensity. The 2021 Matthews Horse Heaven Hills Claret stands as a compelling expression of a demanding vintage, shaped by resilience in the vineyard and precision in the cellar.
Winemaker Tasting Note
“Shimmering with pale garnet and vermilion hues, the 2021 Matthews Horse Heaven Hills Claret captivates with its elegance and depth. Enticing aromas of crushed rock, ripe black and blue fruits, sarsaparilla, and delicate spring flowers are interlaced, hinting at the complexity within. On the palate, juicy black cherries meld with warm baking spices and nuanced cigar wrapper undertones, creating a harmonious flavor profile. Its sumptuous weight and texture are enhanced by fine-grained tannins, providing a luscious mouthfeel that is both refined and luxurious. Decadent notes of black licorice, melted caramel, and cocoa powder persist throughout the lingering finish, leaving a memorable impression.” -Alex Stewart, Head Winemaker
PRAISE FOR THE 2021 MATTHEWS HORSE HEAVEN HILLS CLARET
“The 2021 Matthews ‘Horse Heaven Hills’ Claret combines mostly Cabernet Sauvignon (68%) with the reminder Merlot and Cabernet Franc. The Cabernet is really shining here. Deep espresso ground and cassis notes combine with suggestions of baking spices, chocolate covered black cherry and light herbal accents on the palate. This offers good freshness with a smooth texture as this is going to satisfy for at least another twelve years.”
95 points, Owen Bargreen, owenbargreen.com