Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon

2021
Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon

Incredibly saturated and inky crimson in the glass, the 2021 Matthews Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon is harmonious and intense. Dark berry compote, leather, and powdery mint flower aromatics are accented with dusty minerality and fresh fruit leather. The palate explodes with black cap raspberry, blueberry, graphite, sage, and black forest cake. The dense, full-body imparts a coat of ripe tannins, yet exudes class and balance. Decadent dark plum, vanilla bean paste, five spice, and cocoa linger throughout the minutes-long finish.

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Vintages

Varietal(s)

100% Cabernet Sauvignon

Vinification

Each parcel was hand-sorted from the vineyard, with gentle fermentation and extended maceration culminating over 30+ days. Cellared in 100% new French oak for 21 months. Aged 21 months in 100% new French oak

Alcohol

15.1%

Cases Produced

1,872

Vintage Notes

The 2021 Matthews Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon is comprised of several vineyard parcels within the greater Columbia Valley. Key sites are from Horse Heaven Hills, Royal Slope, and Red Mountain as well as Conner Lee vineyard. This wine truly represents the broad flavor and aromatic expressions of Bordeaux varietals from the diverse terroirs of Washington State. The winemaking team worked with vineyard managers to restrict yields, creating small, concentrated berries. Cool fall nights preserved freshness in the wine while continuing flavor development. Hand-harvesting took place in the early mornings in October.

Once arriving at the winery, the fruit was cluster-sorted, de-stemmed, and berry-sorted. The grapes were placed in tank and cold soaked for two days, before a 14-day fermentation along with 14 extra days of extended maceration, making it a total of 32 days in tank for maximum extraction. The free run wine was barreled down into varying formats of 100% new French oak and cellared for 21 months. In the Spring of 2023, 73 carefully selected barrels were blended and in July 2023 bottled (unfined and unfiltered), producing only 1,872 cases.

Six separate clones were included in the final blend (Cabernet Sauvignon: 2, 4, 6, 8, 21, 191).

Expert Reviews & Scores

Jeremy Young, International Wine Report

96 / 100

100% Cabernet Sauvignon grapes from 6 different clones make up the plush 2021 Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon by Matthews. It's a stunning wine that deserves attention and is cellared in 100% new French oak for 21 months. Gifting a deep brooding purple core with a lighter purple rim, it boasts plush crushed blackberries, sweet boysenberries, Christmas spices, forest spruce, toasted clove, and mountain sagebrush notes across the palate and the nose. An elegant and lovely structure flows across the tongue. Crunchy tannins, mouthwatering acidity, and an earthy finish complete the wine. Better in 2025 and then age for another 10-15 years. 1842 cases produced. Highly recommended.

Owen Bargreenowenbargreen.com

96 / 100

The blockbuster 2021 Matthews ‘Reserve’ Cabernet Sauvignon is a world-class effort that is already drinking beautifully at the two-year mark. Once on the nose this offers a massive wall of black and blue fruits that are complimented by graphite and tilled soil accents. The palate comes off balanced and well-poised, with firm tannins holding everything in place. Turkish coffee grounds and creme de cassis notes mingle well with dried sage and shades of Black Forest Cake on the palate. If enjoying now, be sure to give this at least an hour in the decanter. Drink 2023-2038.

Eric Guido, Vinous Media

95 / 100

Rosy florals, lavender and licorice complicate dusty black currant as the seductive 2021 Cabernet Sauvignon Reserve smolders up from the glass. This is a dark and radiant beauty, with racy red and black fruits energized by brilliant acidity. A bitter cocoa tinge forms toward the close. Classically dry, the 2021 tapers off long and structured, with fine-grained tannins and a thrust of cola and savory herbs. The Reserve spent 21 months in 100% French new Oak.

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