2019Royal Slope Claret
2019Royal Slope Claret
The 2019 Matthews Royal Slope Claret comes from several small vineyard parcels exclusively within the Royal Slope AVA. Hand-harvested early in the morning in the fall, it was hand-sorted and fermented using a combination of concrete (23%) and stainless steel (77%). The free-run juice was aged in French oak (70% new) for 23 months. Only 10 barrels were selected for the final blend, which was bottled in October of 2021.
Brilliant garnet in color and exploding with an aromatic bouquet of black raspberry, dried herbs, and fruit leather, this wine expresses notes of black currant, soy, graphite and a hint of menthol. This full-bodied blend is light on its feet with bright acidity and rounded tannins. Toasty brioche and fresh strawberry linger on the long finish.
60% Cabernet Sauvignon 36% Merlot 4% Cabernet Franc
AVAs
Royal Slope
Royal Slope
- 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
