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2018Reserve Cabernet Franc

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2018Reserve Cabernet Franc

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The 2018 Matthews Reserve Cabernet Franc was crafted from several small vineyard parcels across four AVAs in Washington State: Columbia Valley, Red Mountain, Royal Slope and Walla Walla Valley. Farmed using sustainable practices, the vines were primarily limited to one cluster per shoot or three clusters per spur to create maximum concentration in each cluster. They were hand-harvested in the early fall mornings of 2018.

Upon arriving in the winery, each cluster was hand-sorted, berry-sorted, and then fermented in either stainless steel (68%) or concrete (32%) tanks. Using only the free-run wine, it was then moved to 88% custom French oak barrels for 26 months of cellaring with over 40 individual evaluations by our winemaking team. The resulting 17 barrels were bottled, without fining or filtration, on February 24, 2021, producing only 415 cases.

Tasting Notes

Notes of black currants, red fruit, plum skin, graphite, and sweet baking spices. Swirling adds aromatics of bloomed spices, fresh plum purée, and dried herbs. The palate offers layered spice, black fruits, and a lifted floral note. Polished and structured with fine, accessible tannins, this wine showcases Washington State’s remarkable ability to develop Bordeaux varietals.

Food Pairing Recommendations

Grilled steak or portobello mushrooms

Varietal Composition

87% Cabernet Franc, 12% Merlot, 1% Cabernet Sauvignon

Alcohol

15.1%

Cases Produced

415

Drinkability

Now-2036

Awards & Accolades

"Nearly all Cabernet Franc (87%), the 2018 Cabernet Franc Reserve was sourced from the Solaksen and Stillwater Creek vineyards. Herbal and well-balanced, it delivers straightforward black fruit flavors with good finesse and dried herbal notes plus hints of rose water."

92 points, Owen Bargreen, Vinous

AVAs

Royal Slope

Map Royal Slope AVA 3 2
Designated
2020
Vineyards
1,900 acres (768 hectares)
Top Varieties
Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Sauvignon Blanc
Average Annual Precipitation
6-8 inches
Soil
Sandy loam, soil
Average Vine Age
14yrs
Learn More

Red Mountain

Designated: 2001Vineyards: 2,382 acres (963 hectares)Top Varieties: Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Cabernet FrancAverage Annual Precipitation: 5 inchesSoil: Silt, sand, volcanic basaltAverage vine age: 22yrs

Past VintagesExplore the Reserve Cabernet Franc Vintages

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