Claret

2020
Claret

Dark berries, bramble, and cola on the nose give
way to a background of sandalwood and vanilla
bean when swirled in the glass. A nice blend of red
and black fruits play well with cocoa and black tea
on the palate. Polished tannins and well-balanced
acidity leave a lasting finish that intrigues.

Vintages

Varietal(s)

35% Cabernet Sauvignon, 34% Merlot, 27% Cabernet Franc, 3% Petit Verdot, 1% Malbec

Vinification

Fermented in a combination of concrete and stainless steel. Aged for 18 months in French oak barrels.

Alcohol

14.6%

Cases Produced

4,924

Vintage Notes

The 2020 Matthews Claret comes from several small vineyard parcels within Columbia Valley, namely key sites on Red Mountain, Horse Heaven Hills, and the Royal Slope. Harvested in the early fall mornings of 2020, it was sorted and fermented in the winery using both concrete and stainless steel tanks. The wine was cellared in French oak barrels for an average of 18 months. Carefully blended by the winemaking team, only 193 barrels were selected, and finally bottled in May of 2022.

Expert Reviews & Scores

James Sucklingjamessuckling.com

91 / 100

Aromas of cloves, dark cherries, blackcurrants, anise and spearmint. It’s full-bodied, firm and compact, with flavorful spicy and herbal layers. Chewy finish. 35% cabernet sauvignon, 34% merlot, 27% cabernet franc, 3% petit verdot and 1% malbec. Better from 2024.

Sean Sullivan, Wine Enthusiast

93 / 100

This is a blend of Cabernet Sauvignon (35%), Merlot (34%) and Cabernet Franc (27%), along with bits of Petit Verdot and Malbec. With fruit coming from Horse Heaven Hills, White Bluffs, Wahluke Slope and Royal Slope, appealing aromas of green pepper, herb and fresh black fruit lead to ripe, polished, pure, decadent black-fruit flavors. It shows a lot of intensity and richness. Chocolate notes linger on the very long finish. It’s flat-out delicious and an outrageous value to boot.

Trade Materials