--- title: 2021 Cabernet Sauvignon date: 2026-06-23T03:53:00-07:00 canonical_url: "https://matthewswinery.com/wines/columbia-valley/cabernet-sauvignon/2021-columbia-valley-cabernet-sauvignon" section: Wines --- ![Cabernet Sauvignon](https://mercer.sfo3.digitaloceanspaces.com/matthews/bottleShots/_300x1000_crop_center-center_82_line/OUTSHINERY-Matthews-CabSauv-ColumbiaValley-2021.png) The 2021 Columbia Valley Cabernet Sauvignon is deep ruby in the glass with purple hues. The rich bouquet of spiced black plum and cocoa nib are balanced with aromas of fresh earth and crushed flint. Intense and opulent flavors of ripe blackberry, cedar, mocha, and black currant coat the broad and balanced palate and the ripe tannin creates a perfect frame for the lush fruit expression. Cherry cordial and cola linger on the long, quenching finish. [ Buy Now$50](https://shop.avalle.us/product/2021-matthews-columbia-valley-cabernet-sauvignon) VintagesInformation Vintages - [ 2022 ](https://matthewswinery.com/wines/columbia-valley/cabernet-sauvignon/2022-cabernet-sauvignon) - 2021 - [ 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 ](https://matthewswinery.com/wines/columbia-valley/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) Labeled Appellation [Columbia Valley](https://matthewswinery.com/vineyards/columbia-valley) Varietal(s) 76% Cabernet Sauvignon, 15%Merlot, 6% Cabernet Franc, 2% Petit Verdot, 1% Malbec Vinification 100% Stainless steel fermentation, spending 30+ days on skins for extended maceration. Aged 19 months in 25% new French oak, 75% used French oak. Alcohol 14.9% Cases Produced 7,364 Vintage Notes The 2021 Matthews Columbia Valley Cabernet Sauvignon is comprised of several small vineyard parcels within the greater Columbia Valley, with key vineyard sites in Horse Heaven Hills, Red Mountain, and Royal Slope AVA’s as well as the famed Conner Lee vineyard. This wine truly represents the broad flavor and aromatic expressions of Cabernet Sauvignon from the diverse terroirs of Washington State. The new winemaking team worked with our vineyard managers to update our viticultural practices, reducing yields (on average) by 30% for each site. These restricted yields created small, concentrated berries. Further vineyard dedication meant we were able to harvest between 3-6 weeks later than previous vintages. This allowed each site to fully develop the proper ripeness and flavor profile we were looking for. Each vineyard was hand-harvested in the early mornings between late September & early October, cultivating on October 28th for our last pick. Upon arriving at the winery, each vineyard parcel was hand-sorted, de-stemmed, and berry-sorted. The grapes were placed in tank and cold soaked for 2 days, before undergoing a 14-day fermentation and an additional 14 days of extended maceration, resulting in 32+ days on skins for maximum extraction and integrated tannins. The wine was cellared for 19 months in new French oak (25%) and used French oak (75%). In the spring of 2022, we selected 302 barrels to be carefully selected and blended. The wine was bottled in June, producing only 7,364 cases. Twenty-two separate clones were included in the final blend (Cabernet Sauvignon: 2, 4, 6, 8, 15, 21, 31, 169, 191, 337, 338 Merlot: 2, 3, 6, 15, 18, 181 Cabernet Franc: 1, 214, 327 Malbec: 4 Petit Verdot: 1). --- ## Our Recommendations PreviousNext - [![Cabernet Sauvignon](https://mercer.sfo3.digitaloceanspaces.com/matthews/bottleShots/_300x1000_crop_center-center_82_line/Shore-Matthews-CabSauv-2020_2022-06-21-225532_jbvi.png) ### Cabernet Sauvignon](https://matthewswinery.com/wines/columbia-valley/cabernet-sauvignon/2020-cabernet-sauvignon) - [![Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon](https://mercer.sfo3.digitaloceanspaces.com/matthews/bottleShots/_300x950_crop_center-center_82_line/OUTSHINERY-Matthews-Reserve_CabSauv-2019.png) ### Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon](https://matthewswinery.com/wines/reserve/reserve-cabernet-sauvignon/2019-reserve-cabernet-sauvignon) - [![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) Expert Reviews & Scores - ### Jeremy Young, International Wine Report 93 / 100 > The 2021 Columbia Valley Cabernet Sauvignon by Matthews is a mélange of 76% Cabernet Sauvignon, 15% Merlot, 6% Cabernet Franc, 2% Petit Verdot, and 1% Malbec that is aged for 19 months in 25% new French oak. Deep purple core with a neon purple rim in the glass, it boasts a beautiful nose of blackberries, mountain herbs, black rose, espresso powder, leather, and dark chocolate. Tannins are crunchy, acid is elevated, and the black-fruit finish tops things off. Better in 2024. ### Owen Bargreen, [owenbargreen.com](https://owenbargreen.com) 94 / 100 > Coming out strong out of the gate, the 2021 ‘Columbia Valley’ Cabernet Sauvignon is nearly all varietal. Dark chocolate shavings, baking spices and anise come together on the nose. The palate is beautifully balanced with a seamless texture and great sense of weight, with heady roasted date and black currant flavors. Generous and rich, this is a gorgeous showing from 2021. This is a serious value to purchase by the case. Drink 2023-2033. ### Tim Fish, Wine Spectator 93 / 100 > Precise and expressive, with handsome flavors of blackberry, bay leaf and espresso that build richness and structure toward refined tannins. Drink now through 2031. - ### Eric Guido, Vinous Media 93 / 100 > The 2021 Cabernet Sauvignon Columbia Valley is spicy, showing off a gentle peppery tinge and dusty rose tones that give way to dried black cherries. This is wonderfully crisp and refined, with silky textures and depths of dark red fruit propelled by juicy acidity. It tapers off long and structured, yet the tannins are quite sweet. The 2021 finishes with a pleasant crunch and a lingering licorice tinge. ### Clive Pursehouse, Decanter 94 / 100 > A wonderfully balanced Cabernet with tremendous purity of fruit and a brilliant freshness. A blend of sites across the Columbia Valley focused on the Horse Heaven Hills, Red Mountain and Royal Slope. Smoky violet notes and crushed stone follow graphite minerality and dusty berries. The palate is delightfully distinguished. Cabernet and savoury herbs mingle with red berries, black brambles, and a brilliant mineral tone. ### Michael Alberty, Wine Enthusiast 91 / 100 > A very spring-like cherry blossom and raspberry aroma combination is counter-pointed by notes of leather and bone broth. Cherries are again on the palate, where they are joined by dark chocolate and balsa wood flavors. The tannins are currently a bit grippy, with a medium amount of acidity. Previous reviews Next reviews Trade Materials - [ Bottle Shot](https://mercer.sfo3.digitaloceanspaces.com/matthews/wineTradeAssets/OUTSHINERY-Matthews-CabSauv-ColumbiaValley-2021_2023-07-27-224719_vxvf.png) - [ Tech Sheet](https://mercer.sfo3.digitaloceanspaces.com/matthews/wineTradeAssets/M21CVCS-WS_Decanter.pdf) - [ Front Label](https://mercer.sfo3.digitaloceanspaces.com/matthews/wineTradeAssets/2021-Matthews-CV-Cab-Sauv-Front-Label.png) - [ Back Label](https://mercer.sfo3.digitaloceanspaces.com/matthews/wineTradeAssets/2021-Matthews-CV-Cab-Sauv-Back-Label.png) [ Buy Now$50](https://shop.avalle.us/product/2021-matthews-columbia-valley-cabernet-sauvignon)