The 2021 Matthews vintage and accolades

2021 Matthews Vintage: A Turning Point, A Deep Thank You

We’re profoundly grateful for the recent wave of reviews on our 2021s. Your notes, visits, and messages mean everything to our family and team. The adjustments we made in the vineyard and cellar are bearing fruit, and we’re thrilled that you’re tasting it.

Vintage Weather Overview

Across Washington, 2021 was defined by an unusually warm season and the late-June “heat dome.” Bud break came early, bloom arrived under heat and wind, and many sites saw smaller clusters and historically low yields. The saving grace was a cool, steady fall that let flavors catch up while sugars plateaued, leading to concentrated reds with strong varietal character and expressive, ripe whites.

2021 by Place

Red Mountain AVA

Red Mountain is Washington’s warmest AVA, with a southwest aspect, steady winds, and a notable heat profile—attributes that amplify structure and intensity in warm years. In 2021, a hot, dry season and drought conditions combined for very low yields. A late-June heat spike accelerated phenolic development, and a second heat event near veraison pushed early ripening. September–October weather was favorable, helping polish tannins and balance power. Expect depth, grip, and classic Red Mountain drive.

Royal Slope AVA

Royal Slope’s high-elevation benches, loess over basalt, and wind exposure encourage even ripening with lift. In 2021, a hot summer transitioned to a cooler fall, yielding low crops with intense concentration and excellent acidity—an outcome that many growers and winemakers on Royal Slope reported across white and red varieties.

Conner Lee Vineyard (Columbia Valley AVA)

Conner Lee is a historic, sustainably farmed site near Othello, situated in the Columbia Valley AVA. Its fine sandy loams and long, even ripening window have made it a Chardonnay reference point for decades. In 2021, the regional heat dome advanced sugar early, but cooler fall weather allowed flavors to develop and balance to return—precisely the pattern we saw in our lots from the site.

Horse Heaven Hills AVA

Horse Heaven Hills pairs warmth, slope, aspect, and wind—conditions that consistently produce standout Cabernet Sauvignon and Bordeaux varieties. In 2021 the season ran warmer than average, with extreme heat in June–July, lighter crops, and concentrated fruit. Many producers reported ripe profiles with freshness preserved by fall’s cooler nights.

What This Meant for Matthews

These conditions rewarded measured farming and patience. Smaller berries, careful canopy decisions, and later picks where appropriate gave us the balance we want: ripeness with energy, texture with detail. It was a year to be meticulous, and your feedback tells us the wines carry that work.

With Gratitude

Thank you for sharing this journey with us. Your support lets us keep investing in the vineyards and people behind these bottles. If you’d like to taste through the 2021s side by side, visit us in Woodinville or check the current releases online. Here’s to the Columbia Valley, and to many great seasons ahead.

Reviews and Accolades for the 2021 Matthews wines: 

2021 Matthews Reserve Claret 

“… 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, Robert Parker, Anthony Mueller 

“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, Vinous, Eric Guido

2021 Matthews Reserve Cuvée