Sauvignon Blanc

2017
Sauvignon Blanc

Tropical notes, citrus and honeydew melon. Swirling brings up sweet citrus, pineapple rind and white tea. The palate has good volume, polish and vibrant acidity. Flavors of pithy stone fruit and citrus linger on the finish.

Vintages

Varietal(s)

87% Sauvignon Blanc, 13% Sémillon

Vinification

Fermented in 82% stainless steel and 18% French oak barrels. Aged for 7 months in 100% stainless steel tanks.

Alcohol

14.1%

Cases Produced

875

Vintage Notes

The 2017 Matthews Sauvignon Blanc was crafted using Sauvignon Blanc and Sémillon from select vineyards in Washington State, located in the Royal Slope of the Columbia Valley and the southern slopes of the Rattlesnake Mountains of Yakima Valley. Farmed using sustainable practices, the fruit was then hand-harvested in the late summer early mornings. Upon arriving in the winery, the fruit was then hand-sorted before being fermented in stainless steel tanks (82%) and French oak barrels (18%). Aged for 7 months in 100% stainless steel tanks, this wine was bottled and released, producing only 875 cases.

Expert Reviews & Scores

Stephen Tanzer, Vinous

90 / 100

Very pale green-tinged yellow. Lovely lift to the aromas of honeydew melon, grapefruit and lemon. A fruit-driven midweight with good citrus energy to its flavors of grapefruit pith and pineapple, with riper hints of guava and tropical green melon. Finishes dusty but not austere, with excellent length. Winemaker Aryn Morell told me that Matthews is now picking Sauvignon Blanc "mostly early to make a leaner, more angular" wine. I'd wait until next summer to enjoy this wine.

Trade Materials