Horse Heaven Hills Cuvée

2020
Horse Heaven Hills Cuvée

A beautiful ruby color in the glass with aromas of black plum, red currant, and red apple skin. The 2020 Matthews Horse Heaven Hills Cuvée elicits flavors of pomegranate, espresso, Bing cherry, bilberry and sassafras with fresh acidity, medium body and chalky tannins. The long, layered finish shows textural tannins, earth and roasted red pepper.

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Varietal(s)

40% Merlot, 24% Malbec, 16% Cabernet Franc, 16% Petit Verdot, 4% Cabernet Sauvignon

Vinification

Fermented in stainless steel. Aged 22 months in 52% new French oak, 48% French oak .

Alcohol

14.5%

Cases Produced

600

Vintage Notes

The 2020 Matthews Horse Heaven Hills Cuvée, is a blend of AVA-focused Bordeaux varietals coming from several small vineyard parcels, mostly within the Horse Heaven Hills AVA. Hand-harvested in the fall, it was then hand-sorted and fermented using stainless steel. The free-run juice was aged in French oak (52% new) for 22 months. Only 25 barrels were ultimately selected for this blend, which was bottled in July of 2022, producing only 600 cases.

Expert Reviews & Scores

Owen Bargreenowenbargreen.com

93 / 100

The 2020 'Horse Heaven Hills Cuvee' comes from the Champoux and Wallula Gap vineyards, as this was stored for 22 months in 52% new French oak before bottling. Mostly Merlot (40%) and Malbec (24%), this delivers Asian spice with Earl Grey tea, blackberry compote and shades of pencil lead on the nose. The palate is fresh and soft, with a very smooth texture. Showing good brightness and weight, this is already nicely evolved. Enjoy now and over the next ten years.

Trade Materials