2022Claret
2022Claret
The 2022 Matthews Columbia Valley Claret 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 a Cabernet Sauvignon-dominant blend 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 & late October, culminating on November 1st 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, for a total of 32 days in tank for maximum phenolic extraction and integrated, polished tannins. The wine was cellared for 26 months in new French oak (42%) and used French oak (58%). In the spring of 2023, we selected 198 barrels to be carefully selected and blended. The wine was bottled in June, producing only 4734 cases.
Twelve separate clones were included in the final blend (Cabernet Sauvignon: 191, 8, 2, 4, 31, 21 Merlot: 15, 2, 3 Cabernet Franc: 1, 327 Malbec: 4).
This wine is inky and dense, with an alluring nose of crushed black and blue berries, lavender, and sweet red pepper. The palate is dark and layered, featuring dark plum, black cherry, tea, and graham cracker. Concentrated and complex, it shows fine tannins and impeccably balanced acidity, leading to a persistent finish of countless fruits, perfume, and spices.
64% Cabernet Sauvignon, 19% Merlot, 14% Cabernet Franc, 3% Malbec
Awards & Accolades
"Claret is a particular tradition at Matthews, blended differently every vintage. This version is heavy (64%) on the Cabernet Sauvignon, finishing with 19% Merlot, 14% Cab Franc and 3% Malbec. It strikes a similar chord to the Cuvée while accenting the strength of Cabernet over the smoothness of Merlot. Dark fruits, graham cracker, coffee grounds and clean earth are in the mix, with ripe, textured tannins rolling across the finish. Another five years of bottle age would be recommended, and this should cellar well for decades."
95 points, Paul Gregutt, Northwest Wine Guide
"A great savoury nose, enticing wild mountain herbals, deep forest bay and eucalyptus. ‘We go for depth and complexity; we wipe the slate clean every year. It’s not a formula, says the Matthews winemaking team.’ It’s Cabernet dominant (65%), but the goal is to offer that depth and immediate pleasure. Wild forest fruits, Juicy blue and black fruits mark the palate, balanced by a savoury thyme freshness and stony minerality."
94 points, Clive Pursehouse, Decanter
"This classic blend of mostly Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot starts up with a ripe blackcap raspberry aroma that is joined by the salinity of a maritime wind and the sweet and spicy scent of Sweet Flag cattails. The Claret's black fruit flavors go back-and-forth between black cherries and blackberries, with wee bits of clove and espresso. These tannins are firm, but not grippy, with just enough acidity."
93 points, Michael Alberty, Wine Enthusiast
"It shows a saturated crimson core with a flicker of violet at the rim. The nose opens with black cherry preserve, charred rosemary, cocoa nibs, and graphite shavings, revealing a savory dimension beneath the fruit. On the palate, it’s dense and structured, delivering notes of ripe blueberry, dark plum, and spiced tobacco wrapped in a firm web of chalky tannins. There’s energy and flesh here, with juicy acidity providing lift through a warm, oak-framed finish."
93 points, Jeremy Young, International Wine Report