2019Red Mountain Claret
2019Red Mountain Claret
The 2019 Matthews Red Mountain Claret comes from several small vineyard blocks exclusively within the Red Mountain AVA. After hand-harvesting in the early fall mornings, the fruit was hand-sorted and fermented using a combination of concrete (80%) and stainless-steel (20%). The free-run juice was cellared in French oak (90% new) for 23 months. Only 10 barrels were ultimately selected to be blended, and finally bottled in October of 2021.
This deep garnet claret offers up aromas bursting with baking spice, dried herbs, saddle leather, tobacco leaf, candied ginger, and wet asphalt. The palate offers generous, but well-integrated tannins framed by the perfect balance of new French oak. Blackberry and blueberry meet currant and raspberry, followed by cola, plum, and dried cedar. Well preserved fresh acidity streaks through the core of this wine to give balance and lift. Approachable upon opening but evolves in the glass and bottle with decanting over time.
57% Cabernet Sauvignon, 33% Merlot, 10% Cabernet Franc
AVAs
Red Mountain
Red Mountain
- Designated
- 2001
- Vineyards
- 2,382 acres (963 hectares)
- Top Varieties
- Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Cabernet Franc
- Average Annual Precipitation
- 5 inches
- Soil
- Silt, sand, volcanic basalt
- Average vine age
- 22yrs
