2019Reserve Claret
2019Reserve Claret
The 2019 Matthews Reserve Claret was crafted from several vineyards across five separate AVAs in Washington State: Red Mountain, Columbia Valley, Royal Slope, the Walla Walla Valley and the White Bluffs. The vineyards were farmed using sustainable practices and the vines were limited to one or two clusters per shoot for maximum concentration. Grapes were hand-harvested in the early mornings of September and October 2019. Upon arriving in the winery, each cluster was hand-sorted, berry-sorted, then fermented in 29% concrete, 71% stainless steel. Using only the free-run wine, it was then moved to custom French oak barrels (91% new) for 25 months of cellaring. The resulting 21 barrels were bottled in December 2021, without fining or filtration, producing only 510 cases.
The 2019 Matthews Reserve Claret elicits a deep ruby to purple hue with aromas of raspberry bramble, light-roasted coffee bean, wet stone and forest floor. On the palate, black current and cherry flavors mingle with hints of wet tobacco leaf and chocolate. The wine has a pleasing salinity and structured tannins with a medium-plus bodied mouthfeel. The long finish is balanced with fruit flavors, acidity and tannin that will allow the wine to age gracefully for years to come.
80% Cabernet Sauvignon, 9% Merlot, 9% Cabernet Franc, 2% Petit Verdot
Awards & Accolades
"The 2019 Reserve Claret is Cabernet Sauvignon-heavy and includes 9% each of Cabernet Franc and Merlot, with 2% Petit Verdot. Bordeaux-like notes of currants, cassis, scorched earth, lead pencil, and chocolate define the bouquet, and it's focused, straight, and concentrated on the palate, with gorgeous tannins as well as a balanced, layered style that's going to age gracefully."
- 95 points, Jeb Dunnuck, jebdunnuck.com
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