2022Horse Heaven Hills Cabernet Sauvignon
2022Horse Heaven Hills Cabernet Sauvignon
The 2022 Horse Heaven Hills Cabernet Sauvignon is a meticulously crafted expression of this iconic AVA within the Columbia Valley. Sourced from standout sites including Wallula Gap, Phinny Hill, and Eagle & Plow, this wine captures the depth, structure, and aromatic range that make Horse Heaven Hills so distinctive.
Working closely with vineyard managers, our team limited yields to concentrate flavor—cropping each site to just two tons per acre. Cool fall nights preserved freshness and enhanced phenolic development, while harvest extended from early October into November—one of the latest pick windows in our history.
At the winery, grapes were hand-harvested in the early morning, then carefully cluster-sorted, de-stemmed, and berry-sorted. Fermentation lasted over 30 days to encourage extended maceration, unlocking deeper flavor integration and textural complexity.
The wine was then cellared in 86% new French oak across various cooperages for 21 months. The final blend—composed of Cabernet Sauvignon clones 8 and 2—was drawn from just 11 barrels, yielding 265 cases of this vibrant, intense, and age-worthy wine. Bottled unfined and unfiltered, it represents a pure and focused expression of Horse Heaven Hills.
This wine displays a deep plum noir and inky garnet color. The nose is complex, offering sagebrush, wild huckleberry, crushed violet petals, sunbaked earth, and sweet tobacco. The palate bursts with ripe plum, lavender, chocolate espresso bean, and blackberry macaron. The juicy core with mineral precision is balanced by a broad, voluptuous texture and velvety, dusty tannins. The finish is long, revealing cassis and dark berry notes, along with hints of toasted cedar and mocha.
Awards & Accolades
"The 2022 Cabernet Sauvignon Horse Heaven Hills opens with a perfumed blend of crushed violets, geraniums, flowery underbrush and nuances of split pine. It soothes with round textures and depths of ripe wild berry fruits, while a bump of zesty acidity excites the senses. Hints of orange-laced dark chocolate emerge toward the close. The balance is superb as the 2022 finishes long and classically dry with a gentle tannic tug."
95 points, Eric Guido, Vinous
"The 2022 Matthews ‘Horse Heaven Hills’ Cabernet Sauvignon comes from a range of sites in the AVA including the Wallula and Phinny Ridge Vineyards. This is elegant and refined stuff with a soft mouthfeel. Tar, tobacco leaf and dense dark fruits mingle well with creme de cassis on the palate."
95 points, Owen Bargreen, owenbargreen.com
"The Horse Heaven Hills appellation has established itself as Cabernet Sauvignon heaven. Fruit for this 100% varietal wine comes from Wallula Gap, Phinny Hill, and Eagle and Plow vineyards. Aged 21 months in French oak (86% new), the aromas are arresting, with notes of cassis, bittersweet chocolate, dried herb, generous barrel spices, and a whiff of orange rind. The palate is rich, supple, creamy-feeling and flavorful, backed by highly polished, well-integrated tannins. The finish lingers effortlessly for a full 30 seconds. The overall sophistication and balance are mesmerizing. CELLAR STOCKER"
94 points, Sean Sullivan, Northwest Wine Report