Cabernet Sauvignon

2015
Cabernet Sauvignon

A dense and fresh nose of blackberry jam, plum skin, black currant, vanilla bean and spice. Swirling brings up sweet red fruits reminiscent of ripe strawberry, red currants and black fruits with Asian spices and black tea. The palate is thick with dark fruits, spice and vibrant acidity. Mouthwatering, with a great combination of fruit, spice and tension. Beautifully restrained while providing new world fruit and a plush mouth feel with plenty of ageability.

Vintages

Varietal(s)

86% Cabernet Sauvignon, 8% Merlot, 6% Cabernet Franc

Vinification

Fermented in mostly in concrete with a very small amount in stainless steel tanks. Aged for 21 months in 80% in new French oak.

Alcohol

14.1%

Cases Produced

235

Vintage Notes

The 2015 Matthews Cabernet Sauvignon comes from several small vineyard parcels within three AVAs: Red Mountain, Walla Walla Valley, and the Columbia Valley. Harvested by hand in the early mornings September 10th through October 20th, it was hand-sorted and fermented mostly in concrete with a very small amount in stainless steel tanks. The free-run wine was cellared in French oak (60% new) for 21 months. Evaluated over 40 times by our winemaking team, only 235 cases were ultimately selected and bottled.

Expert Reviews & Scores

Jeb Dunnuck, The Wine Advocate

92 / 100

The 2015 Cabernet Sauvignon offers a similar sweetly fruited, polished style. Crème de cassis, vanilla bean, sweet spice, and cedar notes all dominate the bouquet. On the palate, it's full-bodied and silky, with good overall balance and nicely integrated acidity. Possessing sweet tannin and solid length, drink it over the coming decade or more.

Stephen Tanzerm Vinous

92 / 100

Bright full ruby. Perfumed if slightly inky aromas of black cherry, licorice, menthol and violet. Seriously sweet, dense and pliant, conveying intense dark fruit and cocoa powder flavors leavened by a savory element; this is like a slap in the face--in a good way. This seriously structured wine really explodes on the back end, spreading out horizontally, with its big but ripe tannins dusting the tongue. My palate was left with a taste of bay leaf. A big boy, but balanced.

Trade Materials