--- title: 2018 Cabernet Sauvignon date: 2026-06-23T03:53:00-07:00 canonical_url: "https://matthewswinery.com/wines/columbia-valley/cabernet-sauvignon/2018" section: Wines --- ![Cabernet Sauvignon](https://mercer.sfo3.digitaloceanspaces.com/matthews/bottleShots/_300x1000_crop_center-center_82_line/OUTSHINERY-Matthews-CabSauv-2018.png) Black currants, plum jam, vanilla, and cassis. With air, swirling brings dark baking spices mixed with dried Applewood and strawberry puree. The palate is fleshy with dark brooding fruits and a hint of crème brulee. Vibrant with firm structure, while maintaining a fresh and composed profile. Sold Out VintagesInformation Vintages - [ 2022 ](https://matthewswinery.com/wines/columbia-valley/cabernet-sauvignon/2022-cabernet-sauvignon) - [ 2021 ](https://matthewswinery.com/wines/columbia-valley/cabernet-sauvignon/2021-columbia-valley-cabernet-sauvignon) - [ 2020 ](https://matthewswinery.com/wines/columbia-valley/cabernet-sauvignon/2020-cabernet-sauvignon) - [ 2019 ](https://matthewswinery.com/wines/columbia-valley/cabernet-sauvignon/2019-cabernet-sauvignon) - 2018 - [ 2017 ](https://matthewswinery.com/wines/columbia-valley/cabernet-sauvignon/2017-cabernet-sauvignon) - [ 2016 ](https://matthewswinery.com/wines/columbia-valley/cabernet-sauvignon/2016) - [ 2015 ](https://matthewswinery.com/wines/columbia-valley/cabernet-sauvignon/2015-cabernet-sauvignon) - [ 2014 ](https://matthewswinery.com/wines/columbia-valley/cabernet-sauvignon/2014-cabernet-sauvignon) - [ 2013 ](https://matthewswinery.com/wines/columbia-valley/cabernet-sauvignon/2013-cabernet-sauvignon) Varietal(s) 95% Cabernet Sauvignon, 3% Merlot, 2% Cabernet Franc Vinification Fermented in a combination of concrete and stainless tanks. Aged for 21 months in new French oak barrels. Alcohol 14.6% Cases Produced 1,209 Vintage Notes The 2018 Matthews Cabernet Sauvignon comes from several small vineyard parcels within three AVAs: Columbia Valley, Red Mountain, and Walla Walla Valley. Harvested by hand in the early morning between September 5th - November 12th, 2018, it was hand-sorted and fermented in the winery using both concrete and stainless-steel tanks. The free-run wine was cellared in French oak for 21 months. Evaluated over 40 times by our winemaking team, only 18 barrels were ultimately selected and bottled on October 6, 2020. --- ## Our Recommendations PreviousNext - [![Claret](https://mercer.sfo3.digitaloceanspaces.com/matthews/bottleShots/_300x950_crop_center-center_82_line/OUTSHINERY-Matthews-Claret-2018_2021-09-21-205027_sptf.png) ### Claret](https://matthewswinery.com/wines/columbia-valley/claret/2018-2) - [![Cuvée](https://mercer.sfo3.digitaloceanspaces.com/matthews/bottleShots/_300x950_crop_center-center_82_line/OUTSHINERY-Matthews-Cuvee-2017_2021-09-23-180513_gwwa.png) ### Cuvée](https://matthewswinery.com/wines/columbia-valley/cuv%C3%A9e/2017-cuv%C3%A9e) - [![Merlot](https://mercer.sfo3.digitaloceanspaces.com/matthews/bottleShots/_300x950_crop_center-center_82_line/OUTSHINERY-Matthews-Merlot-2016.png) ### Merlot](https://matthewswinery.com/wines/columbia-valley/merlot/2016-merlot) Expert Reviews & Scores ### James Suckling, [jamessuckling.com](https://jamessuckling.com) 92 / 100 > Blackcurrant, blackberry leaf, herbs and sweet tobacco on the nose. It’s medium-to full-bodied with ripe tannins. Juicy and plush with herbal notes on the finish. 95% Cabernet Sauvignon, 3% Merlot and 2% Cabernet Franc. Drink or hold. ### Owen Bargreen, Vinous 92 / 100 > The 2018 Cabernet Sauvignon is aromatically gorgeous. The wine offers herbal tones alongside green peppercorns and a rich core of dark fruit tones. The palate is rich and viscous with good tension and beautiful length. Medium-bodied with good structure, this will easily be a 15-year wine. ### Jeb Dunnuck, [jebdunnuck.com](https://jebdunnuck.com) 90 / 100 > The 2018 Cabernet Sauvignon is 95% Cabernet Sauvignon, 3% Merlot, and the rest Cabernet Franc. It has a fruit-loaded nose of ripe plums, violets, cedary herbs, and graphite. This carries to a medium to full-bodied Cabernet with good typicity, ripe tannins, and a solid finish. It's a good value that should have 10-15 years of overall longevity. Trade Materials - [ Tech Sheet](https://mercer.sfo3.digitaloceanspaces.com/matthews/wineTradeAssets/2018-Matthews-Cabernet-Sauvignon-Consumer-Tech-Sheet_2022-10-07-212454_qjcq.pdf) - [ Shelf Talker](https://mercer.sfo3.digitaloceanspaces.com/matthews/wineTradeAssets/2018-Matthews-Cabernet-Sauvignon-Shelf-Talker-6up_2022-10-07-212625_srec.pdf)