New Team | New Potential

The Columbia Valley is capable of producing dynamic wines worthy of consideration and enjoyment across the world. Driven by this belief, our team committed to an adventure to discover what Matthews was truly capable of.

In 2021, we completely reimagined our winemaking process. A new winemaking team joined us and set forth to create our most dynamic aromatic and textural range possible.

This journey led us to even more rigorous vineyard selection and management. We traveled across the Columbia Valley to select the right clones in unique parcels in the healthiest vineyards. We decided to concentrate our efforts on three major AVAs: Red Mountain, Royal Slope, and Horse Heaven Hills. The unique identity and profile of each of these AVAs produces distinctive wines, which we knew could also be combined for a truly magical Columbia Valley experience.

Each vineyard was cropped down 30% less (on average, some even more!) for greater concentration and consistent ripeness. Our pick times were extended to 3 - 6 weeks later than average, culminating in late October or early November, making Matthews one of the latest to harvest in the state.

Each vineyard parcel was separately fermented for two or three times longer than previously and cellared in a completely new range of French cooperages.

The resulting wines were blending and bottling 10 - 20% later in the their lifetime, ensuring that each Matthews wine receives the maximum amount of care and time to develop before it reaches the glass of our members and fans.

This was quite an adventure. Just over a year ago, we began to share these wines with our professional wine reviewers, all who have known Matthews in the past.

We're delighted to share a complete list of the reviews we've received on our 2021 vintage. To our delight, each of the reviewers has awarded us their highest ratings ever for our portoflio of wines.

We are grateful to everyone who helped elevate Matthews into its new chapter. Click here to become a member or find our wines at select wine shops and restaurants across the country (and now Japan!)

An Adventure Across the Vineyards

Our pursuit of excellence led us to adopt a more rigorous approach to vineyard selection and management. We traveled across the Columbia Valley, handpicking the ideal clones from select parcels within the healthiest vineyards, concentrating our efforts on three prominent AVAs: Red Mountain, Royal Slope, and Horse Heaven Hills. Each of these AVAs has its own distinct character and profile, and we knew that when combined, they could offer a truly magical Columbia Valley experience in every bottle.

For even greater complexity and depth, we incorporated additional grape clones and expanded into new vineyard sites. By intentionally reducing grape yields by as much as 30%, we achieved greater concentration and consistent ripeness. Our harvest dates were extended by 3-6 weeks, pushing into late October and early November, making Matthews one of the last wineries to harvest in the region—a deliberate choice to ensure each grape reached its peak potential.

Crafting the 2021 Vintage: Precision in Every Detail

Once harvested, each vineyard parcel was separately fermented for two to three times longer than before, capturing the full essence of each varietal. The wines were then aged in a new selection of French oak cooperages, specifically chosen to complement the character of each AVA. Afterward, each wine was allowed to mature 10-20% longer in the barrel, ensuring that it reached the ideal level of complexity before being shared with our members and fans.

Celebrating Recognition and a New Chapter

This bold commitment to quality made 2021 a year of discovery and excitement. With great anticipation, we began presenting our 2021 vintage to wine reviewers who have followed Matthews’ journey over the years. The response has been overwhelmingly positive: each reviewer has awarded us their highest ratings ever, a testament to the evolution and dedication that went into these wines.

We are incredibly grateful to everyone who has supported us and helped bring Matthews to this exciting new chapter. We invite you to become a member or explore our wines at select wine shops and restaurants across the country—and now in Japan! Click here to experience what we love so much about the Columbia Valley. Across all our 2021 wines, we know you’ll find a tiny part of our adventure in your glass.

Wine Enthusiast:

“This is a claret that would make Rumpole of the Bailey weak in the knees. It starts with ripe black fruit aromas and bursts of dark chocolate, bitter pine and wet pavement. Blackberries and English breakfast tea flavors are big and round in the mouth, with mouthdrying tannins and a bit of orange zest on the wine’s lengthy finish.” - Editors’ Choice. 94 points, Michael Alberty, Wine Enthusiast

https://www.wineenthusiast.com/?s=matthews&search_type=ratings

Decanter:

“Richness and spice announce this wine, a Cabernet heavy blend, which brings ripe black fruit aromatics buoyed by Christmas spice notes and a touch of graphite. The palate is spice-driven, clove blended with a mix of white and black pepper. There are concentrated blackberries and blueberry compote notes, and a surprising note of spruce tips lifts the finish. 94 points, Clive Pursehouse, Decanter

https://www.decanter.com/wine-reviews/usa/washington/matthews-reserve-claret-columbia-valley-washington-2021-79993

International Wine Report:

“My favorite of the 2021 Matthews lineup, the gorgeous, decadent, and brooding 2021 Reserve Claret blends 70% Cabernet Sauvignon, 20% Merlot, and 10% Cabernet Franc and is cellared in 100% new French oak for 21 months. A deep, focused, ruby-purple core is in contrast with its neon ruby rim and exhibits what is to come. Bountiful aromas of black and red fruits meld with notes of dried rose, red plum skins, black currants, cedary herbs, and grated clove that sits perfectly on the back palate. Perfectly balanced between the crunchy, sweet tannins and elevated acidity, it’s very polished with a near-perfect structure. Enjoy this one in a couple of years and then over the next 15 or more. 490 cases crafted."97 points, Jeremy Young, International Wine Report

https://www.internationalwinereport.com/articles/united-states/washington-vol-7

Vinous:

“Sweet sage, cedary spice and dried black cherries flow as the 2021 Claret Reserve come to life in the glass. Pure and elegant, the 2021 is savory and polished, with depths of mineral-tinged red and black fruits. It takes on a pleasantly bitter tinge toward the close, with a dusting of cocoa combined with residual acidity that creates a push-and-pull of tension. This finishes quite potent, with a balanced structure that will guarantee over a decade of positive evolution. This is a blend of 70% Cabernet Sauvignon 20% Merlot and 10% Cabernet Franc. It saw 100% new French oak for 21 months.”95 points, Eric Guido, Vinous

https://vinous.com/articles/washington-state-2020-and-2021-from-the-frying-pan-to-the-fire-jan-2024

Owen Bargreen:

"The incredible 2021 Matthews ‘Reserve’ Claret is mainly comprised of Cabernet Sauvignon (70%). The wine is a thrilling joyride of texture, weight and bright underlying tension. The palate shows opulent creme de violette, espresso and garrigue notes that combine with boysenberry pie and shades of scorched earth. The underlying structure seems to match perfectly with the weight, as this beauty really needs an hour or two in the decanter if enjoying in its full-bodied youth." 96 points, Owen Bargreen, owenbargreen.com

https://owenbargreen.com/blog/2023/10/3/matthews

Robert Parker's Wine Advocate

“The 2021 Reserve Claret, boasting 70% Cabernet Sauvignon, 20% Merlot and 10% Cabernet Franc, stands out as a masterclass among its peers. The wines from Matthews in 2021 elevate above and beyond their previous quality levels, showcasing a remarkable improvement. The wine bursts with juicy, firm and fresh characteristics, displaying layers of complexity that culminate in a long, succulent finish. Bravo. Don't miss the chance to experience this extraordinary American Claret, produced in limited quantities with only 5,880 bottles. It was aged for 21 months in 100% new French Oak, contributing to its depth and sophistication. Give this a try; you won't be disappointed.”96+ points, Anthony Mueller, Robert Parker

*https://www.robertparker.com/search/wine?producer=Matthews&date_last_tasted=909705600000+TO+1711036200000*