Labeled Appellation

Red Mountain

Varietal Composition

92% Cabernet Sauvignon, 8% Cabernet Franc

Tasting Notes

The 2021 Red Mountain Claret is a dark garnet and crimson in the glass with aromatics of cinnamon bark, dark violets, and black plum. The full-bodied and serious on the palate displaying chalky tannins and flavors of cola, leather, ripe bramble fruits, and sweet tobacco. Finishing long and classic with bittersweet chocolate, forest floor, and star anise.

Food Pairing Recommendations

Cabernet Sauvignon dominant blends are among the most beloved wines in the world. Originating on the Left Bank of Bordeaux, the classic combination of Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Cabernet Franc, Malbec, and Petit Verdot has long anchored the greatest cellars and restaurant lists. The style surged in Tuscany in the 1970s and in Napa during the 1990s for good reason. In the right hands, these varietals create texture, harmony, and depth that feel otherworldly.Red Mountain is a gift to this wine blending tradition. This iconic AVA ripens each of these grapes in balance year after year. Its unique attributes reward winemaking teams who lean into creativity at the blending table. At Matthews, we are fortunate to work with top parcels across Red Mountain, and the 2022 vintage proved nearly perfect for our flagship blend, Claret.The 2022 Matthews Red Mountain Claret draws fruit from Red Mountain Vineyard, Angela’s Vineyard, Tremasi Vineyard, Quintessence, Canyons, and Shaw. Together, these sites capture the breadth of flavor and aromatic expression possible for a Cabernet Sauvignon dominant blend from Red Mountain AVA.Yields were purposefully restricted to produce small, concentrated berries. Cool fall nights preserved freshness while flavors developed. Hand harvesting took place in the early mornings of late October, one of our latest pick windows on record.In the cellar, 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 from Darnajou, Taransaud, Gamba, Sylvain, and Quintessence, and cellared for 21 months. Ten barrels were selected for the final blend, yielding 233 cases. Bottled unfined and unfiltered to preserve purity, vibrancy, and intensity.The final blend is 60 percent Cabernet Sauvignon, 30 percent Cabernet Franc, and 10 percent Merlot. Clonal selection includes Cabernet Sauvignon 2, 8, and 31, Cabernet Franc 12 and 327, and Merlot 3.

Vinification

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