Labeled Appellation

Red Mountain

Varietal Composition

60% Cabernet Sauvignon, 30% Cabernet Franc, 10% Merlot

Tasting Notes

The 2021 Red Mountain Cabernet Sauvignon is a dark crimson and violet in the glass with fragrant aromatics of bourbon cherry, flinty minerals, red licorice, and iris. The full-bodied mouthfeel and full-throttle palate displays big yet polished tannins and flavors of blackberry compote, sweet oak, and leather. Finishing long and balanced with black raspberry and intriguing papaya.

Food Pairing Recommendations

Cabernet Sauvignon is now the most widely planted grape and the most popular wine in the world, for good reason. Its history traces back to the Left Bank of Bordeaux, where gravel-rich soils provided an ideal environment for the variety to ripen fully and build structure. From Bordeaux, Cabernet Sauvignon found a celebrated home in California, where climate and clientele embraced its depth, texture, and evocative aromatics.Now widely planted across the Columbia Valley, our region offers near-perfect conditions for this iconic grape. In the 1970s, pioneers began planting on Red Mountain, and the variety quickly took hold. Warm days and cool nights drive ripe fruit, freshness, and supple tannin, delighting those who seek a pure expression of Cabernet Sauvignon. When the terroir is fully harnessed, Red Mountain Cabernet earns its place in blind tastings and on the tables of connoisseurs across the United States and around the world.The 2022 Matthews Red Mountain Cabernet Sauvignon draws from several standout parcels within this iconic AVA. Key vineyard sites include Quintessence, Red Mountain Vineyard, Shaw, and Tremasi, allowing the wine to reflect the breadth of Cabernet Sauvignon’s flavor and aromatic expression from one of Washington’s most distinctive regions.The winemaking team worked closely with vineyard managers to restrict yields, producing small, concentrated berries. Cool fall nights preserved freshness while flavors developed. Hand harvesting took place in the early mornings of mid October.At the winery, fruit was destemmed and berry sorted. Primary fermentations averaged 14 to 17 days, followed by an additional 2 to 3 weeks in tank to encourage extended maceration. The wine was then barreled into 100 percent new French oak (Darnajou, Taransaud, Gamba) and cellared for 21 months. Twelve barrels were selected for the final blend, yielding 289 cases. Bottled unfined and unfiltered to preserve purity, vibrancy, and intensity.Final blend: 92% Cabernet Sauvignon (clones 2, 8, 31, 327) and 8% Cabernet Franc (clone 12).

Vinification

Primary 10-14 days in Stainless Steel tanks, 30+ days on skins, 21 months in 100% new French oak