2023Reserve Sauvignon Blanc
2023Reserve Sauvignon Blanc
The 2023 Matthews Reserve Sauvignon Blanc comprises several vineyard parcels within the greater Columbia Valley. Key sites hail from Horse Heaven Hills, Royal Slope, and Yakima Valley AVAs. This wine truly embodies the broad flavor and aromatic expressions of Sauvignon Blanc from Washington State's diverse terroirs. The winemaking team collaborated with vineyard managers to restrict yields, resulting in small, concentrated berries. Cool fall nights preserved the wine's freshness while allowing continued flavor development. Hand-harvesting occurred in the early mornings of early October.
Upon arrival at the winery, the fruit was sorted and whole-cluster pressed. The juice was transferred to tanks and cold-settled for 24 hours. The clarified juice was then racked into various formats of 87% new French and Austrian oak. Barrel fermentation lasted between 3 weeks and 4 months. After fermentation, the wine rested until Spring 2024. We meticulously selected 17 barrels, which were blended and bottled unfined and unfiltered in August 2024, yielding a mere 440 cases.
The final blend incorporated three distinct Sauvignon Blanc clones: 1, 27, and Gist.
The 2023 Matthews Reserve Sauvignon Blanc is a deep straw and maize in color. Jasmine and fresh meadow aromatics flow into lemon curd and green tea nuances. The fresh creamy mouthfeel delivers a palate of honeycomb and grapefruit, with lychee and sweet almond. The luxurious weight and acidic structure showcase a heady finish of crushed rock, creme fraiche, and orange oil.
Awards & Accolades
"Barrel-fermented and full-bodied, the 2023 Sauvignon Blanc Reserve is unctuous in wet stone and floral aromatics, but most memorably impressive for its texture and weightlessness. Rich, ripe layers of apricot and passionfruit benefit from bright acidity and a backbone of structure, graceful through its inherent power. This will continue to develop further over the next 10-12 years."
96 points, Virginie Boone, jebdunnuck.com
"Juicy Meyer lemon, curd, minerality and brilliant acids. Yellow plums, six different yeasts allow them to really dial this wine in. It's creamy, but taut and upright. Malo is arrested to maintain the fresh character."
95 points, Clive Pursehouse, Decanter
"The totally stunning 2021 Matthews ‘Reserve’ Sauvignon Blanc is an outstanding wine that shows off the warmth of the vintage. The wine was stored in mainly new French oak (mostly cigar-shaped and large format barrels) and saw some battonage. Ripe peach and honeysuckle notes combine with shades of nutmeg dusted brioche on the nose. The palate is deep and concentrated with serious texture. Enjoy this beautiful, mouth-watering Sauvignon Blanc now and over the next six to eight years. Drink 2024-2031- 95"
95 points Owen Bargreen, Owenbargreen.com
"A creamy core is buoyed by subtle acidity, delivering length and shape without compromising its plushness. Hints of brûléed citrus and toasted coconut emerge toward the finish, adding further complexity and allure. The wine walks a fine line between opulence and structure-richly detailed, yet never overwhelming. There’s a silken quality throughout, underscored by a mineral thread that keeps the wine grounded."
94 points, Jeremy Young, International Wine Report
"The 2023 Sauvignon Blanc Reserve was matured for 11 months in 87% new French oak. It has layered aromas of white peach, kiwi, beeswax and green herbs. The medium-bodied palate is bursting with concentrated, tropical flavors. It’s balanced by fireworks of fresh acidity and has a long, textural finish. 440 cases produced."
93 points, Erin Brooks, The Wine Advocate
"The 2023 Sauvignon Blanc Reserve is spicy and vividly fresh with a savory herbal tinge that gives way to tones of ginger, lemon curd and crushed stone. Soothingly round and supple, it splashes across the palate with a gorgeous blend of ripe orchard fruits and candied citrus notes. The 2023 finishes with exceptional length and potency yet is still remarkably fresh, leaving a hint of young kiwi that fades slowly."
93 points Eric Guido, Vinous
"A generous and rich sauvignon blanc, offering ripe quince, hints of tropical fruit, dried lemon peel, honeysuckle and some toasty undertones. Mouth-filling and a little waxy on the palate, yet very balanced, dense and rich, with a lively pace and a long, delicious finish. Drink or hold."
93 points, James Suckling, jamessuckling.com
