2020Royal Slope Claret
2020Royal Slope Claret
The 2020 Matthews Royal Slope Claret comes from Solaksen vineyard within the Royal Slope AVA. After hand-harvesting in the early fall mornings, the fruit was hand-sorted and fermented using both stainless-steel tanks and French oak barrels. The free-run juice was aged in French oak (40% new) for 20 months. Bottling took place in June of 2022, resulting in only 568 cases.
This Cabernet Sauvignon dominant blend possesses a dark ruby color and aromas of crushed blueberry, vanilla bean, boxwood and clay. The palate shows dark fruit flavors of black currant, balanced by a blood orange brightness. The mouthfeel is full bodied with good structure. On the finish, river rock, coffee grounds and cassis linger.
60% Cabernet Sauvignon, 16% Cabernet Franc, 12% Malbec, 8% Merlot, 4% Petit Verdot
Fermented in stainless steel and French oak barrels. Aged 20 months in 40% new French oak.
14.8%
568
Now-2035